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Ground Beef Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

The quintessential Shepherd's Pie (also known as Cottage Pie) pairs seasoned ground beef or lamb with hearty vegetables in a luscious gravy. This comforting dish is crowned with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes and baked to perfection.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

Meat Filling:

  • 1 lb. 90% lean ground beef or ground lamb
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup frozen mixed peas and carrots*
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels

Potato Topping:

  • 1 ½ - 2 lb. russet potatoes about 2 large, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 stick
  • 1/3 cup half & half
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

Prepare the Meat Filling:

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes. Sauté the chopped onion for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the ground meat, breaking it apart with a spoon. Sprinkle in parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat browns. Incorporate Worcestershire sauce and garlic, stirring to combine. Cook for an additional minute. Mix in the tomato paste and flour until fully blended. Stir in beef broth, peas, carrots, and corn, bringing the mixture to a boil before reducing to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside and preheat the oven to 400°F.

Prepare the Potato Topping:

  • Place the potato cubes in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Drain using a colander and return the potatoes to the hot pot, allowing them to rest for 1 minute to remove excess moisture. Mash the potatoes with butter, half & half, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Stir in the parmesan cheese until fully incorporated.

Assemble and Bake:

  • Transfer the meat filling into a 9x9-inch or 7x11-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Top with the mashed potatoes, smoothing them into an even layer. If the dish is very full, place it on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any overflow. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes at 400°F. Let the Shepherd's Pie cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For substitutions, use ½ cup each of frozen peas and frozen sliced carrots if mixed peas and carrots are unavailable.
  • To save time, preheat the oven immediately after finishing the meat mixture.