Ground Beef Shepherd's Pie

Ground Beef Shepherd's Pie is a comforting, hearty dish that layers savory meat and vegetables beneath a creamy mashed potato topping. It’s an easy meal perfect for cozy family dinners, offering satisfying layers of flavor.

If you're craving another savory pie recipe, then be sure to make a Chicken Pot Pie as well. 

Let's get started! 

Why You'll Love This Beef Shepherd's Pie Recipe?

• Made with Ground Beef - Technically this is a cottage pie which is made with ground beef and not a shepherd's pie which is usually made with ground lamb. But typically in the United States, it is still referred to as shepherd's pie. 
• Comforting - This is the ultimate comfort food! Mashed potatoes are pilled on top of a meat filling and baked until the top is slightly crispy, what's not to love about it? 
• Leftover Friendly - Growing up my mom would make this recipe with leftover mashed potatoes and cooked vegetables, so it may change depending on what's available. It's also great to serve the next day or freeze it for later. 

Ingredients You'll Need 

1. Olive Oil - Used to saute the vegetables briefly to soften them a bit. May use avocado oil or any neutral oil instead. 
2. Onion - Adds an earthy and slightly sweet flavor to the ground beef mixture. Use white onion or any yellow onion that you prefer. 
3. Carrot - You may use baby carrots or chop whole carrots into even-sized pieces. Adds another slightly sweet vegetable to the pie.
4. Celery - Add some aromatics to the ground beef mixture by roughly slicing two stalks/ribs of fresh celery. 
5. Garlic - Gives the pie an earthly and intense flavor. Use more if you prefer a stronger garlic flavor. 
6. Ground Beef - The main ingredient needed to make the savory pie filling. Any ground beef mix you prefer will work for this recipe. I love using lean ground beef or ground chuck with an 80/20 fat ratio.
7. All-Purpose Flour - Helps to thicken the meat mixture, cornstarch could be used as a substitute. 
8. Tomato Paste - Adds thickness, acid, and a delicious savory flavor to the shepherds pie. 
9. Beef Broth - The base liquid of the meat mixture that helps the meat and vegetables to become tender and flavorful. Beef stock or chicken broth could be used as a substitute. 
10. Red Wine - Any dry red wine that you prefer will work. This helps to deepen the flavor of the beef. It can be omitted. 
11. Worcestershire Sauce - Gives the beef a savory and umami flavor, do not skip or substitute this ingredient. 
12. Dried Thyme - Adds an earthly herb flavor. I prefer to use dried, but freshly chopped thyme could be used instead. 
13. Frozen Vegetables - Any combination of frozen vegetables can be added, but I prefer to use peas, carrots, and corn. 
14. Salt and Ground Black Pepper - This helps to bring out the other ingredient flavors and prevents the shepherd's pie from tasting flat and bland. Adjust as needed. 
15. Potatoes - Use Yukon Gold Potatoes, Russet Potatoes, or a mixture of them both. Yukon Golds are my favorite to use because they are small and buttery. Russet potatoes are starchy, hearty, and easy to locate in grocery stores year-round.
16. Butter - Adds rich and buttery flavor to the mashed potatoes. Use salted butter or unsalted butter whichever you prefer. Allow the butter to soften to room temperature or use melted butter for easier mixing.
17. Milk - Use whole milk to smooth out the starchy potatoes and melt them into a creamy mash. Heavy cream may be used as a substitute if you love thicker mashed potatoes. Use warm milk for easier mixing. 
18. Cheese - Shredded cheddar cheese is added to the creamy mashed potatoes to add a more cheesy savory flavor. Parmesan cheese could be used instead. 

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

How to Make Shepherd's Pie with Ground Beef 

Prepare the Potatoes. Clean and peel the potatoes. Cut into small pieces about 1 inch in size. Place the potatoes into a large saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are tender, but don't overcook them. Drain off the water and use a potato masher to mash the potatoes in the same pot. Add the butter, milk, cheese, salt, and ground black pepper. Continue mashing until smooth. Set aside. 

Cook the Vegetables. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant. 

Cook the Meat Filling. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Deglaze the pan with the red wine and sprinkle in the flour.

Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, thyme, salt, ground black pepper, and frozen vegetables. Stir to combine. Cook until the meat mixture begins to thicken. 

Assemble the Pie. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spread the hamburger meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan or transfer it to a separate baking dish.

Scoop the mashed potatoes over the top and spread evenly, making sure the mashed potatoes meet the edges of the dish to prevent the filling from bubbling over.

Place into the oven to bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Enjoy! 

Recipe Tips & Tricks 

• Brown the ground meat well to develop a deeper flavor and a slight caramelization. 
• A couple tablespoons of all-purpose flour or cornstarch added to the meat mixture will help to thicken it and give it structure. 
• Season the ground beef mixture generously, taste it, and adjust as needed while preparing. 
• Use a starchy potato for the best mashed potato topping that holds shape. Russet potatoes or Yukon gold are great options. 
• Shepherd's pie can be made in a casserole dish, cast iron skillet, or large braiser. 
• Use a fork to make ridges into the potato topping before baking. You could also use a piping bag to create a smooth or decorative topping. 
• For more stability to the mashed potatoes, try mixing in an egg yolk along with the other mashed potato ingredients.  

Storage Tips 

Storage. Allow the shepherd's pie to cool to room temperature before storing it. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 

Reheating. When you're ready to serve the leftover shepherd's pie, reheat it in the oven at low heat until warmed thoroughly. You can also reheat it in the microwave for a quicker option. 

Freezing. The baked and fully cooled shepherd's pie can be frozen for up to 1-2 months. Place it in a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Transfer it to the fridge and allow it to thaw overnight before reheating in the oven. 

Want More Ground Beef Recipes? Try These:

• Easy Baked Spaghetti 
• Southern Meatloaf Recipe 
• Beef Baked Tacos 
• Barbecue Cornbread Muffins 
• Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole 
• Old Fashioned Hamburger Gravy 
• Easy Lasagna Recipe

Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways and ideas to enjoy this Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe