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Hand holding a spoon with Easy Shepherd's Pie.
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5 from 18 votes

Easy Shepherd's Pie

Easy Shepherd's Pie is the perfect week-night dinner! Loaded with meat and veggies and topped with potatoes and cheese, this warm dish is the ultimate comfort food.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Pie, Pie Crust
Servings: 12
Calories: 341kcal
Author: Erica Walker

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch pan

Ingredients

For the potatoes:

  • 2 ½ pounds russet potatoes about large 4 potatoes
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup milk plus more as needed
  • salt to taste
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

For the filling:

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 3/4 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 15-ounce can French-style green beans drained well
  • 15 ounces green beans French-style, drained

Instructions

For the potatoes:

  • Peel and dice potatoes into 1-inch chunks.
    Peeled and sliced potatoes on a cutting board to make Easy Shepherd's Pie.
  • Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover them with cold, salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, or until fork-tender.
    Pot of water with cut up potatoes to make mashed potatoes for Easy Shepherd's Pie.
  • Drain the potatoes well. Add the butter, milk, and salt, then mash until smooth. Cover and set aside.
    Bowl of mashed potatoes to make the top layer for Easy Shepherd's Pie.

For the Filling:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
    Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the carrots begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
    Diced onions in a skillet to make Easy Shepherd's Pie.
  • Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
    Skillet with cooked ground beef and onions for Easy Shepherd's Pie.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce, flour, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 1 minute. Gradually add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, stirring until combined.
    Beef mixture in a skillet to make Easy Shepherd's Pie.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened. Stir in the frozen peas and remove the skillet from the heat.
    Bottom beef mixture layer for Easy Shepherd's Pie.
  • Spread the beef filling evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the filling and gently spread them to the edges. Run a fork over the potatoes to create ridges.
    Top mashed potato layer for Easy Shepherd's Pie.
  • Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the potatoes and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the cheese is melted. Let the Shepherd’s Pie rest for 10 minutes before serving.
    Baked Easy Shepherd's Pie topped with melted cheddar cheese.

Video

Notes

Recipe Tips:

  • For a bit of a sweeter, richer tomato flavor, add in a can or two of condensed tomato soup instead of tomato sauce.
  • Garnish with parsley, rosemary, or thyme before serving.
  • Add a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce to the meat mixture for a richer flavor.
  • You can add as many veggies to the mixture as you like. I love green beans but you could also add green peas, diced carrots, corn, celery, or red peppers.

Nutrition

Calories: 341kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 411mg | Potassium: 931mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2263IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 4mg