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Homemade Shepherd’s Pie

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This easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe is made with a saucy ground beef base, vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes. It’s a hearty make-ahead meal for busy weeknights or Sunday dinner!

For more hearty, home-cooked goodness, try this slow cooker chicken pot pie, Crockpot chicken and dumplings, or beef pot pie!

Homemade Cottage Pie

Today I’m sharing one of my favorite comfort food dinners! Shepherd’s Pie (also known as cottage pie) is one of those recipes that has taken on a lot of forms over the past several decades, and what you put in it probably depends on where you live.

Sometimes casseroles like Shepherd’s Pie get a bad rep, but this recipe is loaded with flavor (I like my beef nice and saucy!), and topped with the creamiest mashed potatoes. You’ll forget about every other lackluster casserole you’ve had!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Originally, Shepherd’s Pie was made with ground lamb, but the Americanized version usually swaps the lamb for ground beef (although if you really want, can use lamb instead!). This here is the way we like it: a nice, rich-tasting sauce with ground beef and plenty of vegetables, topped with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes. I know you’ll love it, too!

Mashed Potatoes:

How to Make the Best Shepherd’s Pie

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat and cook the carrots, celery, and onion until softened, about 5 minutes. 
  3. Add the beef and cook until thoroughly browned and no pink remains. Break it up into pieces as it cooks. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute. 
  4. Whisk together beef broth and cornstarch. Add it to the skillet, along with the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, and salt and pepper. Stir in the frozen peas and cook for 5 minutes, until the sauce has thickened. 

Mashed Potatoes

  1. Add the peeled and diced potatoes to a large pot and fill with cold water until the potatoes are covered. Add 2-3 large pinches of kosher salt. 
  2. Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a rolling boil and cook until tender, about 12-15 minutes.
  3. Drain the potatoes into a colander. Return the potatoes to the pot and either run them through a potato ricer or use a hand masher to mash them well. Add the butter, warm half and half, and Boursin cheese to the potatoes and mash until creamy. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. 
  4. Spread the potatoes evenly over the top of the meat mixture.
  5. Bake the Shepherd’s pie uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the edges are bubbling. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve.

Tips for making Shepherd’s Pie ahead:

More make ahead casseroles you’ll love:

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Mashed Potatoes

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat and cook the carrots, celery, and onion until softened, about 5 minutes.

  • Add the beef and cook until thoroughly browned and no pink remains. Break it up into pieces as it cooks. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.

  • Whisk together beef broth and cornstarch. Add it to the skillet, along with the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, and salt and pepper. Stir in the frozen peas and cook for 5 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.

Mashed Potatoes

  • Add the peeled and diced potatoes to a large pot and fill with cold water until the potatoes are covered. Add 2-3 large pinches of kosher salt.

  • Place the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a rolling boil and cook until tender, about 12-15 minutes.

  • Drain the potatoes into a colander. Return the potatoes to the pot and either run them through a potato ricer or use a hand masher to mash them well. Add the butter, warm half and half, and Boursin cheese to the potatoes and mash until creamy. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.

  • Spread the potatoes evenly over the top of the meat mixture.

  • Bake the Shepherd’s pie uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the edges are bubbling. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve.

Originally posted February 26, 2020
Updated on March 16, 2024

Calories: 560kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 28gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1139mgPotassium: 1619mgFiber: 9gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 4501IUVitamin C: 32mgCalcium: 215mgIron: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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