Shepherd's Pie Recipe - Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Dinner! (2024)

Home Recipes Main Dishes Beef Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

by Jennifer Debth

4 Comments

5 from 3 votes

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ThisShepherd’s Pie Recipe is a comfort food classic. Loaded with a rich gravy, beef, veggies, and creamy mashed potatoes – this is sure to be a family favorite!

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  • General
  • What is shepherd's pie?
  • Ingredients
  • How to make
  • Get the recipe
  • Step-by-step video
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Making ahead of time
  • Variations
  • Pairing suggestions
  • How to store
  • Nutrition information

This recipe isthe ultimatecomfort food meal. I mean, come on, veggies and meat cooked in a super yummy gravy and topped off with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes?

Yeah, count me in.

What is shepherd’s pie?

Shepherd’s pie is a minced meat pie traditionally made with a flavorful gravy, mashed potatoes, veggies, and ground lamb (hence, the word “shepherd” in the title.)

Technically, a shepherd’s pie made with ground beef is called “cottage pie” and a pie made withlamb is called shepherd’s pie. However, I decided to use ground beef instead of lamb since it’s cheaper and more accessible…so I guess today we’re really making cottage pie.

Anyway, whatever you want to call it and however you want to make it…this meal is DELICIOUS!

Ingredients

  • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes– myall timeFAVORITEmashed potato recipe. They only take 15 minutes and they’re SO luxurious.
  • Butter– used to cook the veggies.
  • Onion, Carrot, Peas, and Corn– a classic combo of veggies. Adds nutrients, color, and texture!
  • Garlic– adds a subtle nuttiness.
  • Ground Beef– make sure to use a lean ground beef so it’s not too greasy.
  • Salt, Pepper, Dried Rosemary, and Dried Thyme – the perfect combination of herbs and spices.
  • All-Purpose Flour– thickens the sauce to create a rich gravy.
  • Tomato Paste, Worcestershire Sauce, and Chicken Broth – the base of the sauce.The tomato paste adds depth, the worcestershire adds tang, and the chicken broth adds a savoriness.

Pro tip

Make the instant pot mashed potatoes a day in advance to save time! Be sure to let them come to room temperature for easy spreading.

How to make

There are two part to shepherd’s pie: the mashed potato topping and the meat and veggie filling. Try multi-tasking! While the mashed potatoes are cooking, whip up the filling!

  1. Make a batch of instant pot mashed potatoes.
  2. Melt butter in a sauté pan, add in onion, carrots, garlic, beef, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme and cook until the veggies are tender and beef is cooked through.Shepherd's Pie Recipe - Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Dinner! (2)
  3. Drain any excess grease then sprinkle the meat/veggie mixture with flour and stir.Shepherd's Pie Recipe - Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Dinner! (3)
  4. Add in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and broth and simmer to thicken then stir in peas and corn.Shepherd's Pie Recipe - Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Dinner! (4)
  5. Pour mixture into a prepared baking dish.Shepherd's Pie Recipe - Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Dinner! (5)
  6. Top evenly with mashed potatoes and bake for 25 minutes then serve and enjoy!Shepherd's Pie Recipe - Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Dinner! (6)

Pro tip

This is a hearty meal! Serve with a crisp salad on the side for a well-balanced meal.

Can shepherd’s pie be made ahead of time?

Shepherd’s pie is great made in advance. Simply assemble it as directed then cover it and store it up to 24 hours in the refrigerator before baking.

Keep in mind this may extend the cook time by a little bit so be sure it’s cooked all the way through before serving!

Pro tip

You can also make then store the filling and potatoes in separate containers in the fridge. Assemble and bake as directed when you’re ready!

Shepherd's Pie Recipe - Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Dinner! (7)

Variations

This recipe is pretty darn perfect as-is, if I do say so myself. 😉 However, if you want to switch it up, here are some variations you could try!

  • Use a different meat.Feel free to do ground lamb for the classic shepherd’s pie, turkey, or even sausage!
  • Make it gluten-free.Use cornstarch instead of flour – you’ll want to use 1/2 the amount of cornstarch. As always, make sure allyour ingredients are certified gluten-free before using!
  • Make it vegetarian. Ditch the meat and make a veggie forward filling — add mushrooms and cooked lentils!
  • Use different potatoes.Try it with mashed sweet potatoes. In a pinch, you can also use store-bought mashed potatoes but it won’t have quite the same flavor.

What to serve with shepherd’s pie

This shepherd’s pie is pretty darn filling as is but I also love to serve it up with a couple of yummy sides!

  • homemade dinner rolls
  • pear, blue cheese, candied pecan salad
  • roasted veggies

Shepherd's Pie Recipe - Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Dinner! (8)

How to store

Leftover shepherd’s pie can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2 months.

To reheat,thaw overnight in the refrigerator, if frozen, then microwave or heat on stovetop.

Eat up!

– Jennifer

Shepherd's Pie Recipe - Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Dinner! (9)

Shepherd’s Pie

5 from 3 votes

ThisShepherd's Pie Recipe is a comfort food classic. Loaded with a rich gravy, beef, veggies, and creamy mashed potatoes - this is sure to be a family favorite!

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 6 people

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1 batch Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes cooked according to recipe directions; room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 carrots finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 pounds extra lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt + more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas

Recipe Video

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.

  • Melt butter in a large sauté pan.

  • Add in onion, carrots, garlic, beef, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme.

  • Cook, breaking up the beef as you go, until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender.

  • Drain off an excess grease.

  • Sprinkle the meat and veggie mixture with flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.

  • Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and broth.

  • Simmer, if necessary, to thicken.

  • Stir in peas and corn, then taste and re-season, if desired.

  • Pour mixture into the prepared dish and top evenly with mashed potatoes.

  • Bake for 25 minutes or until warmed through.

  • Serve and enjoy!

  • Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!

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STORING

Room Temp:N/A

Refrigerator:3-4 Days

Freezer:2 Months

Reheat:If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight then heat in microwave or on stovetop

*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Shepherd’s Pie

Amount Per Serving (1 person)

Calories 347 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Cholesterol 111mg37%

Sodium 826mg36%

Potassium 854mg24%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 36g72%

Vitamin A 3747IU75%

Vitamin C 15mg18%

Calcium 64mg6%

Iron 5mg28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: easy, ground beef, Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Enjoy this recipe?

Tag @showmetheyummy on Instagram and hashtag it #showmetheyummy

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, English

Author: Jennifer Debth

Reader Interactions

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    All Comments 0 Questions 0 Reviews

  1. Mel

    Cottonwood, California

    Shepherd's Pie Recipe - Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Dinner! (19) This was so good! Love using instant mashed potatoes; so much easier. You can add or subtract as many vegetables as you want to make it kid friendly. I did add some shredded cheese on top. Good flavor. I’m now making it again for a sick friend.

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Love it!! Thanks Mel!

  2. Anonymous

    Jersey City, New Jersey

    Shepherd's Pie Recipe - Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Dinner! (20)

    Reply

  3. Anonymous

    Minchinbury, New South Wales

    Shepherd's Pie Recipe - Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Dinner! (21)

    Reply

Shepherd's Pie Recipe - Quick and Easy Kid Friendly Dinner! (2024)

FAQs

Can you make shepherd's pie without beef broth? ›

You can swap the beef broth for chicken broth if you prefer. For an Irish shepherd's pie, swap the beef broth for Guinness. Worcestershire Sauce.

What to eat shepherd's pie with? ›

What to Serve With Shepherd's Pie: 20 Delicious Ideas for a Comforting Dinner
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  • 05 of 21. Green Salad. ...
  • 06 of 21. Roasted Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • 07 of 21. Great Garlic Bread. ...
  • 08 of 21.
Feb 7, 2024

How do you make shepherd's pie not runny? ›

Thicken the Filling – Stir in salt, pepper, and flour. Add beef stock and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the liquid to a simmer and cook until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes.

What can I use if I don't have enough beef broth? ›

Like beef broth, chicken broth is a kitchen staple and makes a good substitute if you are all out of the meaty broth. This savory, salty liquid has a milder flavor than beef broth but is a good one-to-one replacement. Chicken broth also has a similar nutrition profile to beef broth, low in calories and high in sodium.

What can I use instead of broth? ›

Water. This simple swap should suffice in most recipes that call for broth. To give H2O more depth, you may want to compensate by adding more spices like salt, pepper and bay leaves to your recipe and a tablespoon or two of olive oil to mimic the richness of broth.

What can I use to thicken my shepherd's pie? ›

The easiest way to thicken shepherd's pie filling is by sprinkling a few tablespoons of flour into the ground beef mixture as it cooks before adding it to the baking dish. The starch in the flour will absorb the extra liquid and create a thick gravy.

What is traditional shepherd's pie made of? ›

Traditionally, shepherd's pie is made with lamb mince, vegetables and mashed potato. The meat is added to an aromatic combination of softened carrot, onion and celery, known in French cooking as a mirepoix, which is then loosened up with stock, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste and bay leaves to make a tasty gravy.

Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? ›

Classic shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb, gravy, mashed potatoes, and veggies like peas, corn, celery, and carrots. Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? Avoid a soggy pie by simmering the meat mixture for at least 8 minutes. Be sure to cook down the mixture to remove excess moisture.

Why does my shepherd's pie fall apart? ›

How do you keep shepherd's pie from falling apart? Make sure your casserole dish is the right size. You should also have firm mashed potatoes so it won't fall apart when you're serving. As you put the topping on, don't press too hard, using a gentle touch to smooth it out.

Why does my potato sink in shepherds pie? ›

How do you keep potatoes from sinking in shepherd's pie? Let the beef layer cool before you top it with the mashed potatoes. This is the number one way to keep your potatoes from sinking. Another tip is to not make your potatoes too runny because firmer mashed potatoes stay more level while baking.

How do I keep my shepherd's pie from falling apart? ›

How do you keep shepherds pie from falling apart? The eggs in the mashed potatoes help keep the pie together. You should also make sure to spread the potatoes and press down a bit.

What should I put on top of my pie? ›

But topping pie crust with a spritz of water and a sprinkle of sugar, or a quick brush of sweet butter followed by the merest drift of flour, can take your pie — both its flavor and its texture — to a new level.

Do you eat ice cream with pie? ›

A warm slice of pecan pie goes perfectly with a scoop of delectable maple walnut ice cream. For any chocolate flavored pies, try silky peanut butter ice cream for that wonderful peanut butter and chocolate combo. With so many flavors of pie and ice cream, the opportunity for delicious creations is endless.

What to eat with meat? ›

Sides for Meat
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  • 5 / 12. Roast Any Vegetable. ...
  • 6 / 12. Easy Lemon-Ginger Spinach. ...
  • 7 / 12. Garlicky Parmesan Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • 8 / 12. 10-Minute Miso Broccolini.

What is a substitute for beef broth water? ›

17 Best Substitutes For Beef Broth
  • Beef stock. Ahanov Michael/Shutterstock. ...
  • Beef consommé Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock. ...
  • Chicken broth. from my point of view/Shutterstock. ...
  • Vegetable broth. Madeleine Steinbach/Shutterstock. ...
  • Mushroom broth. Anna Hoychuk/Shutterstock. ...
  • Liquid Aminos. ...
  • Beef bouillon cubes. ...
  • Soy sauce.
Nov 12, 2022

What can I use if I don't have beef broth for roasting? ›

You absolutely can use chicken broth or bouillon cubes. I'd go easy with the bullion though, it's usually salty. A couple of tips though: Start by searing the meat well on all sides to develop color and flavor. You'll also leave some fond in the pot, which you'll lift off and infuse into your cooking liquid.

Does shepherd's pie have gravy in it? ›

Talk about satisfying. Ground beef, vegetables, and gravy are baked under pillowy mashed potatoes. If it's not yet already, this will soon be a family favorite recipe.

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