Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe with Ground Beef

This easy Shepherd's Pie with Ground Beef layers a rich, savory beef and vegetable filling underneath creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes. Baked until golden and bubbling around the edges, it's a hearty and comforting dinner that's perfect for chilly evenings, Sunday supper, or whenever you need a cozy meal.

Growing up, I watched my mom turn leftover mashed potatoes and vegetables into a clean-out-the-refrigerator meal that somehow still felt like Sunday dinner. Nothing went to waste, and a handful of simple ingredients could always become something warm and comforting.

After years of cooking for my own family and developing recipes since 2013, I've turned that same idea into a reliable Ground Beef Shepherd's Pie Recipe. It has a deeply savory beef filling, plenty of vegetables, and a fluffy cheddar mashed potato topping that becomes lightly crisp in the oven.

If you enjoy cozy classics like my Easy Chicken Pot Pie, this recipe deserves a place in your cold-weather dinner rotation. Let's get started!

Why You'll Love This Ground Beef Shepherd's Pie

• Rich and comforting - Savory ground beef and vegetables simmer in a flavorful gravy beneath creamy mashed potatoes.
• A complete meal - You get meat, vegetables, and potatoes together in one hearty casserole.
• Perfect for leftovers - Prepared mashed potatoes and cooked vegetables work beautifully in this recipe.
• Make-ahead friendly - Assemble the shepherd's pie in advance and bake it when you're ready to eat.
• Freezer friendly - The baked casserole freezes and reheats well, making it useful for meal prep.
• Easy to customize - Use your favorite frozen vegetables, replace the wine with broth, or substitute another ground meat.

Ingredients You'll Need 

Here's everything you'll need to make this easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe with Ground Beef.

1. Potatoes - Yukon Gold potatoes make an especially creamy and buttery topping. Russet potatoes are starchier and create a light, fluffy mash. A combination of the two also works well.
2. Butter - Adds richness and buttery flavor to the mashed potatoes. Salted or unsalted butter will work.
3. Milk - Helps turn the potatoes into a smooth and creamy topping. Whole milk provides the best texture, but heavy cream may be used for an even richer mash.
4. Cheddar cheese - Shredded cheddar adds savory flavor and helps the potato topping become golden in the oven. Parmesan cheese or a combination of cheddar and Parmesan may also be used.
5. Olive oil - Used to sauté the vegetables before adding the ground beef. Avocado oil or another neutral cooking oil can be substituted.
6. Onion, carrots, celery, and garlic - These aromatic vegetables create the flavorful foundation of the meat filling. Chop them into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
7. Ground beef - Use lean ground beef or 80/20 ground chuck. Ground chuck provides more flavor, but you may need to drain off some excess grease after browning.
8. All-purpose flour - Thickens the beef broth and gives the filling its rich, gravy-like consistency.
9. Tomato paste - Adds body, acidity, and concentrated savory flavor to the meat filling.
10. Beef broth - Creates the sauce for the ground beef and vegetables. Beef stock may also be used.
11. Dry red wine - Adds another layer of rich flavor and helps deglaze the skillet. It's completely optional and can be replaced with additional beef broth.
12. Worcestershire sauce - Adds savory, salty, and slightly tangy flavor to the filling. I don't recommend skipping it.
13. Dried thyme - Adds an earthy herb flavor that pairs well with beef. If using fresh thyme, use approximately twice the amount.
14. Frozen vegetables - I prefer a combination of peas, carrots, and corn. There's no need to thaw them before adding them to the skillet.
15. Salt and ground black pepper - Season both the mashed potatoes and beef filling, tasting and adjusting as you go.

👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.

How to Make Shepherd's Pie with Ground Beef

Here's a quick overview of the process. Complete instructions are included in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Prepare the Mashed Potatoes

Clean and peel the potatoes before cutting them into evenly sized 1-inch pieces. Place them in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a boil and cook until the potatoes are completely fork-tender. Drain them well and return them to the warm saucepan. Add the butter, warm milk, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and ground black pepper. Mash until creamy and mostly smooth, then set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften, and the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.

Step 3: Brown the Ground Beef

Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it into small pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink. If you're using ground beef with a higher fat content, carefully drain off most of the excess grease. Pour in the red wine, if using, and scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Step 4: Make the Savory Beef Filling

Sprinkle the flour evenly over the cooked beef and vegetables. Stir until the flour coats the mixture and is no longer visibly dry. Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, dried thyme, salt, ground black pepper, and frozen vegetables. Stir everything together and allow the mixture to simmer until it thickens into a rich gravy. The filling should be saucy but not watery. When you drag a spoon through the skillet, it should leave a trail for a moment before the mixture settles back into place.

Step 5: Assemble the Shepherd's Pie

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spread the ground beef filling evenly in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish, large cast-iron skillet, or oven-safe braiser. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the filling and gently spread them into an even layer. Make sure the potatoes reach the edges of the dish to help prevent the filling from bubbling over. Use a fork to make ridges across the top of the potatoes. Those little peaks will become golden and lightly crisp as the shepherd's pie bakes.