The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (2024)

The Best Shepherd's Pie. Ever. is incredibly hearty, with beef and vegetables cooked in a savory gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes. The ultimate comfort food!

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Top o’ the evenin’ to ya’!

That’s my happy St. Patrick’s Day greeting.

Ben and I were going to hit up an all-you-can-eat St. Paddy’s Day buffet at Hy-Vee tonight (unlimited Reubens & corned beef?!) but I thought nah, lets keep it homemade withThe BestShepherd’s Pie. EVER!

I was kind of annoyed with myself for choosing to make this classic meat pie, originally known as Cottage Pie back in the late 1700s, instead of going to the buffet. I figured it would take at least an hour to make.

Turns out it was actually a cinch! Just brown ground beef with onions and garlic,cook in flour, chicken broth, tomato paste and other seasonings, then simmer until thick.

Toss in some frozen veggies, and you’re nearly there!

While I was making the filling, I whipped up ~4 cups worth ofmashed potatoes on a burner next door.

Assembly time!

Pour the filling into an oven-proof casserole dishthen top with mashed pa’tators.Pop into the oven for 20 minutes, and…

BINGO!

Bubbling its little heart out as I pulled it out of the piping hot oven, which totally made me giggle. I just love it when comfort food smells, tastes and sounds like comfort food, you know?

I scooped us out a big serving and almost fell into the tunnel of mashed potato love!!!

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Description

The Best Shepherd's Pie. Ever. is incredibly hearty, with beef and vegetables cooked in a savory gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes — the ultimate comfort food!

Ingredients

Serves 5-6

  • 4 cups prepared mashed potatoes
  • garlic salt
  • 1lb ground beef
  • 1/3 cup chopped onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 Tablespoons gluten-free flour OR all-purpose (dish will not be GF if using AP flour)
  • 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon gluten-free tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce)
  • 1 can (14.5oz) chicken broth
  • 2 cups frozen vegetable medley
  • salt & pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brown ground beef, onions and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When meat is completely cooked, sprinkle in flour and continue to saute for 1-2 minutes.
  2. Stir in tomato paste, worcestershire sauce, gluten-free tamari or soy sauce and chicken broth. Simmer for 5-6 minutes, or until sauce is thick. Turn of the heat then stir in frozen vegetables and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Pour beef mixture into a large, oven-proof casserole dish then top with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with garlic salt.
  4. Place casserole dish on a large sheet pan (in case the sauce overflows) then bake for 20-30 minutes, or until top is golden brown. Scoop onto plates then serve.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

Meat & potatoes at its finest. Savory and so comforting!

Ben took his first bite…

“omg, this is life altering right now. This is the best Shepherd’s Pie you’ve ever made…”

“It’s the only Shepherd’s Pie I’ve ever made.”

“No…” (makes horrible face)

“Oh. Right. That Shepherd’s Pie. So it’s only the best when compared to the second AND worst Shepherd’s Pie I’ve ever made…”

“Um, yeah I guess so.”

ENJOY!

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131 Comments

  1. The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (17) Donna Cohen 10.14.2023

    I have been using this recipe for the past five years if not longer, it’s the best recipe ever

    Reply

    • The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (18) Kristin 10.15.2023

      That is music to my ears, Donna! Thank you so much for your feedback!

      Reply

  2. The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (19) Sarah B 02.25.2021

    This truly is the best shepherd’s pie. Comforting, satisfying, flavourful, filling. You will not be disappointed!!

    Reply

  3. The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (21) Rachael Lavender 02.23.2021

    My family enjoyed this meal. It came together easy on a busy workday evening. Adding it to the meal rotation. Thank you for sharing g!

    5

    Reply

    • The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (22) Kristin 02.23.2021

      So glad you loved it, Rachael! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!

      Reply

  4. The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (23) Carolyn 07.27.2020

    Shepherds pie and Cottage pie are two completely different dishes ! Shepherd pie ss you’d expect is made with lamb, Cottage pie with beef.

    Reply

  5. The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (24) Fiona 11.20.2019

    Sorry to correct you, but Shepherds Pie is made with lamb and Cottage Pie is made with beef – they are not the same thing.

    Reply

  6. The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (25) 25 Make Ahead Camping Meals to Feed a Whole Family – CampingBeast.com 10.23.2019

    […] Shepherds Pie […]

    Reply

  7. The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (26) Bruce 10.02.2019

    So easy. So quick. So tastyMy go to twice a month

    5

    Reply

  8. The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (27) Nicole 07.08.2019

    Great recipe. Fast, easy, and my family loved it.

    Reply

  9. The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (28) Tony 06.15.2019

    I am a huge fan of Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie. Fantastic and easy to make! Thanks for sharing your recipe. Just an FYI, Shepherd’s Pies were not formally known as Cottage Pies. I see Shepherd’s Pie being used incorrectly more often than not, even in restaurants. Shepard’s Pie is made with mutton or lamb (hence Shepherd) whereas Cottage Pie is made with beef. Other than this, they are the same. I prefer Shepard’s pie over cottage, but not everyone likes lamb and fewer like mutton. For an extra special version, make it in a flaky pie crust. I have never made one without, ever since I first tried it.
    Thank you and all the best wishes.

    Reply

  10. The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (29) Heather 03.20.2019

    I made mine with ground venison and a cauliflower/potato mash on top – we are enjoying this! Thanks for the best shepherds pie recipe :)

    5

    Reply

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I’m a Midwestern wife and Mama, and after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2013 I began sharing delicious and approachable gluten-free recipes made with everyday, in-season ingredients. Welcome!

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The Best Shepherd's Pie - Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you thicken 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.

How do you keep 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.

Does shepherd's pie have gravy in it? ›

This Easy Shepherd's Pie recipe is made with ground beef, brown gravy, and frozen vegetables in less than 30 minutes on the stove top. Broil in the oven for just 5 minutes and dinner is served!

How is shepherd's pie originally made? ›

And, by doing so, the humble shepherd's pie was born. Originally, the dish contained a pastry shell at the bottom, top, or both. Over time, this morphed into potato slices at the bottom and top of savory minced lamb meat, until it eventually became a topping of mashed potatoes.

Why do you put flour in shepherd's pie? ›

Flour: All-purpose flour will thicken the beef gravy. Ketchup: Ketchup will add a little tang to the ground beef mixture. Beef Broth: Beef broth creates a gravy-like consistency in the middle. Cheese: Top the shepherd's pie with extra Cheddar for a cheesy finish.

What is the best thickener for pie filling? ›

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency. Tapioca starch is preferable for products that will be frozen because it will not break down when thawed. We like tapioca in blueberry, cherry or peach pies.

Why does my potato sink in shepherds pie? ›

Residual moisture from the potatoes will drip into the beef below as it cooks, and too much of it will cause the potatoes to eventually sink. Aside from ridding your potatoes of excess moisture before you mash them, it also helps to cool the beef down, BBC Good Food shares.

What is the best bakeware for shepherd's pie? ›

A large oven proof Le Creuset, metal handled frying pan or enamel coated cast iron pan works well. Or you can cook your meat in a frying pan and then transfer it to a ceramic or glass lasagna dish to bake. Alternatively you can make individual pies in ramekins or small ovenproof dishes.

How do you keep mash from sinking in shepherds pie? ›

To stop the mash sinking into the filling, allow the meat to cool before topping with the mashed potato. Freeze in individual ovenproof dishes for an easy meal for one.

Can I substitute ketchup for tomato paste in shepherd's pie? ›

Tomato paste: Can also use ketchup instead if you don't have tomato paste. Gluten free: For a gluten-free friendly version, use cornstarch in place of the flour. Be sure to check all of your ingredients to make sure they're gluten free (especially the beef broth!

What is creamy gravy made of? ›

In a matter of minutes, you can whip up white gravy in a saucepan for the perfect creamy, savory topping for your favorite dishes. This basic sauce is prepared with ingredients you likely already have on hand: butter, flour, milk, salt, and pepper. For a bit of heat, a pinch of cayenne can be added as well.

Why do Irish people eat shepherd's pie? ›

"Shepherd's Pie is one the most traditional Irish dishes I know of," she said. Culhane said the meal became popular in Ireland for a simple reason: It's easy to make, it makes a lot and it's cheap. Although there are many variations, most Shepherd's Pies are made with ground meat, potatoes, carrots, peas and onions.

Is shepherds pie german or irish? ›

Many people believe that the peasant housewives invented the pie as an easy way to repackage leftovers from their Sunday roast. The Shepherd Pie is thought to originate from Ireland and the northern parts of England.

What ethnicity is shepherd's pie? ›

shepherd's pie, dish of British Isles origin that makes use of vegetables and chopped meat cooked in a casserole topped with or surrounded by mashed potatoes.

How do you thicken shepherd's pie without cornstarch? ›

Arrowroot Powder – If you're following the Paleo Diet then Arrowroot Powder is a great alternative to using cornstarch to thicken gravies and sauces.

What to do if your pie is too runny? ›

The best way to thicken runny apple pie filling before baking it is to add some cornstarch, tapioca starch, or flour to your mix. To fix a runny pie that's already been baked, simply let it cool to see if it will congeal naturally. If not, you can stick it back in the oven for a bit longer.

Is cornstarch or flour better for thickening pie? ›

Which one you use is a matter of personal preference. Cornstarch makes for a shiny, glossy filling. A little goes a long way because it has twice the gelling power of flour. Flour thickens nicely but leaves more of a matte finish.

Why did my pie filling is too runny? ›

If you slice the pie too soon , it just won't set. Why did my blueberry pie turn out runny? Without knowing your method or ingredients its hard to say. My best guess is you didn't use enough thickener( flour or cornstarch) in the filling, or you didnt cook long enough, or you cut it before cooling sufficiently.

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