Best Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
A hearty, comforting dinner made with seasoned ground beef or lamb, tender vegetables, and a savory gravy, all finished with a creamy mashed potato layer and Parmesan cheese. It’s an easy casserole-style meal that brings together everything you want in a cozy family dinner.
Print Pin Servings: 6
Ingredients
Meat Filling
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 lb 90% lean ground beef -or ground lamb
- 2 tsp dried parsley leaves
- 1 tsp dried rosemary leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 garlic cloves -minced
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup frozen mixed peas & carrots*
- 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
Potato Topping
- 1 ½ - 2 lb russet potatoes -about 2 large potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
- 8 tsp unsalted butter -1 stick
- 1/3 cup half & half
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
Make the Meat Filling
- Add the oil to a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the onions. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the ground beef (or ground lamb) to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and and pepper. Stir well. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the meat is browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the flour and tomato paste. Stir until well incorporated and no clumps of tomato paste remain.
- Add the broth, frozen peas and carrots, and frozen corn. Bring the liquid to a boil then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Set the meat mixture aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Make the Potato Topping
- Place the potatoes in a large pot. Cover the potatoes with water. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are fork tender, 10-15 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes in a colander. Return the potatoes to the hot pot. Let the potatoes rest in the hot pot for 1 minute to evaporate any remaining liquid.
- Add butter, half & half, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes and stir until all the ingredients are mixed together.
- Add the parmesan cheese to the potatoes. Stir until well combined.
Assemble the Casserole
- Pour the meat mixture into a 9x9 (or 7x11) inch baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the meat. Carefully spread into an even layer.
- If the baking dish looks very full, place it on a rimmed baking sheet so that the filling doesn’t bubble over into your oven. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Frozen peas and carrots: If you can’t find frozen mixed peas and carrots, you could use ½ cup frozen peas and ½ cup frozen sliced carrots. Baking temperature: Bake at 400° F. Start preheating the oven after you make the meat mixture (listed in step 6).
