The Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie – AKA Shepards Pie or Cottage Pie. Ground Beef (or lamb) with vegetables in a rich gravy, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes, and baked.
Shepherd’s Pie
So, this is how you spell it: Shepherd’s Pie. But, from doing a quick google search, it came to my attention that TONS of people think it’s Shepards Pie.
Irish Shepherd’s Pie
Traditional Irish Shepherd’s Pie would actually call for ground lamb. The difference between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie is the meat. Cottage Pie uses ground beef, while Shepherd’s Pie uses ground lamb.
I called this recipe Shepherd’s Pie. But, I wrote the recipe so that you could use ground beef or ground lamb.
I typically use ground beef because it is widely available. But, for a special occasion, like St. Patricks day, I would use ground lamb.
How To Make Shepherd’s Pie
(Note – The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post)
- Sauté some chopped onions in olive oil.
- Add ground beef or ground lamb.
- Add dried parsley, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Stir and cook the meat mixture until the meat is browned.
- Add minced garlic and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cook the garlic for a minute.
- Add flour and tomato paste.
- Add beef broth, frozen mixed peas and carrots, and frozen corn kernels.
- Simmer the meat gravy until it is thick.
- Boil some peeled and chopped potatoes until they are soft.
- Drain the potatoes
- Add butter, half & half, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mash the potatoes until smooth.
- Pour the meat mixture into a casserole dish.
- Top it with the cheesy mashed potatoes.
- Bake until the meat is bubbling and the potatoes are golden.
Easy Shepherd’s Pie
Making the best Shepherd’s Pie is not difficult. But, there are a few steps to it. You have to make the meat mixture, the mashed potatoes, assemble the casserole, and bake it.
I find that the easiest way to make this dish is to work ahead. You could make the beef or lamb mixture ahead of time. Or, you could make the mashed potatoes ahead of time.
You could also make the whole recipe ahead of time. Just assemble the casserole, cover the dish, and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it. I find it is best to bake it within 3 days of preparing it.
When you are ready to bake it, take it out of the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before you need to bake it to let it start coming to room temperature. Uncover it, and bake.
What to serve with The Best Shepherd’s Pie
- Deviled Eggs
- Roasted Broccoli from Skinnytaste
- The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Watch the Video for the Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie Below.
Find more of my recipes on TikTok
Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Meat Filling:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 lb. 90% lean ground beef -or ground lamb
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 garlic cloves -minced
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons 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 tablespoons unsalted butter -1 stick
- 1/3 cup half & half
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon 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
Nutrition
Check out all of my great ground beef recipes.
Best shepherd’s pie I’ve ever made! The whole family loves it!!
This was, without, the absolute best shepherds pie.
I’ve tried a lot of different recipes. A lot. Many of them were good but it felt like they were… missing something, y’know?
This one was actually perfect.
AS-IS.
No changes required. None. Not one.
My incredibly picky child who has never liked shepherds pie LOOOOOOOVED this one. Multiple helpings. Was hoping we’d have leftovers for tonight. Nope, none. Not a single piece. We nearly licked the dish clean.
I s’pose there is one thing I would change next time:
Doubling it.
My family goes crazy for this dish. I use a mixture of parmesan and an extra sharp Welsh white cheddar in the potatoes and as a topping
I only have canned mixed peas and carrots. Can I use them instead?
Certainly. It just won’t taste as good. I would recommend adding them right before you assemble the pie since they are already so mushy and fully cooked.
You just have to drain them well and wait to add them about 2-3 minutes into the simmer process since they’re already thawed.
I did this and just drained any liquid before adding the veggies! It worked out well.
Yes.
Would I be able to freeze this?
This was delish! My whole family loved it and already talking about when I’ll make again! 👍🏼☺️😋
I made this for the first time tonight and it is excellent! I’ve never eaten or made a shepherd’s/cottage pie before. Will definitely be making it again in the future.
Excellent and easy! (used pre-made potatoes)
This is the best Shepard’s Pie recipe ever! I’ve tried a different one but this one is so delicious and creamy and easy to make! I’ve made it with gold potatoes the last few times and they make the top creamier too. My 90 yr old mom loves this so it’s our new favorite meal! Thanks for sharing!
Delicious. We will be having this again!
Our favorite shepherds pie recipe. I usually use 1 tablespoon of herbs de provence instead of the individual herbs listed in the recipe, and sometimes we replace half the potatoes with sweet potatoes. I always need to make a double recipe in a 9×11 pan or else we never have any leftovers.
My family loves this one 💗
♠️♠️♠️♠️
Great recipe and a definite keepe!
Excellent especially mixing beef and Lamb
My picky husband asked for this to be put into the rotation – WIN!!!
Loved it!!
Easy to make and delicious
My family loves this dish! I have made it twice. The second time, I substituted the tomato paste for ketchup (since I was out of tomato paste) and it still worked out well. Side note: for my family of four, I make double that way there are leftovers for lunch the next day.
To make for the purpose of freezing, do I need to bake it or just do that after it thaws?
I have made this recipe a handful of times now. It always turns out delicious, and it’s so easy. Thank you!
This was good but a little bland. Added a 1/2 pkg of mushroom onion soup mix and more beef broth. This is a keeper. Thanks for sharing
Wow! My first attempt at shepherds pie and everyone loved it!!! Definitely added to my list of yummy food to make. Thank you!
This is one of our favorites especially when the weather starts to turn a little chilly. I make it according to the recipe and it turns out beautifully everytime. Wonderful comfort food and not a lot of work. Thank you Amanda for another winner!