Shepherd's pie is a classic comfort dish that brings together a savory meat filling and a creamy mashed potato topping. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this recipe is both hearty and satisfying, making it a family favorite.
While most of the ingredients for this shepherd's pie are common pantry staples, you might need to pick up a few items at the supermarket. Ground beef or lamb is essential for the meat filling, and tomato paste adds a rich depth of flavor. If you don't have beef broth on hand, make sure to grab some as it helps to create a deliciously thick sauce.

Ingredients for Shepherd's Pie Recipe
Ground beef or lamb: The main protein component, providing a rich and savory base for the pie.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the meat filling.
Garlic: Enhances the overall taste with its aromatic and pungent qualities.
Carrots: Contributes a subtle sweetness and texture to the filling.
Peas: Adds a pop of color and a slight sweetness to the dish.
Tomato paste: Provides a concentrated tomato flavor that enriches the meat mixture.
Beef broth: Helps to create a flavorful and thick sauce for the filling.
Flour: Used to thicken the meat mixture, ensuring a hearty consistency.
Mashed potatoes: The creamy topping that completes the shepherd's pie, providing a comforting contrast to the savory filling.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the mashed potatoes for your shepherd's pie, ensure they are smooth and creamy by using a potato ricer or food mill. This will help create a more even and aesthetically pleasing top layer. Additionally, consider adding a bit of butter and cream to the potatoes for extra richness and flavor.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.
ground lamb - Substitute with ground chicken: Ground chicken is a lighter alternative and works well with the other ingredients.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor and can add a subtle sweetness to the dish.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used if fresh garlic is unavailable, though it has a slightly different flavor intensity.
carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips have a similar texture and a slightly sweeter taste, making them a good alternative.
peas - Substitute with green beans: Green beans provide a similar color and a slightly different but complementary texture.
tomato paste - Substitute with ketchup: Ketchup can be used in a pinch, though it is sweeter and less concentrated than tomato paste.
beef broth - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth is a versatile substitute that can provide a similar depth of flavor.
flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can be used as a thickening agent and requires less quantity than flour.
mashed potatoes - Substitute with cauliflower mash: Cauliflower mash is a lower-carb alternative that mimics the texture of mashed potatoes.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How To Store / Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the shepherd's pie to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the mashed potatoes soggy.
- Transfer the shepherd's pie 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. For longer storage, freezing is recommended.
- To freeze, wrap the shepherd's pie tightly with plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.
- For best results, consume frozen shepherd's pie within 2-3 months.
- When ready to reheat, thaw the shepherd's pie in the refrigerator overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove any plastic wrap and cover the shepherd's pie with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through. For a crispy top, remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Alternatively, individual portions can be reheated in the microwave. Place a portion on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate, and heat on medium power for 3-5 minutes, or until hot.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover shepherd's pie in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the mashed potatoes from drying out.
- Heat for 20-30 minutes, or until the meat mixture is hot and the potatoes are golden brown.
- Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to allow the top to crisp up.
Microwave Method:
- Place a portion of the shepherd's pie on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture.
- Heat on medium power for 3-5 minutes, checking halfway through to stir and ensure even heating.
- Let it sit for a minute before serving to allow the heat to distribute evenly.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
- Place a portion of the shepherd's pie in the skillet, breaking it up slightly to ensure even heating.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat mixture and vegetables are hot and the potatoes are crispy.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place a portion of the shepherd's pie in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
- The mashed potatoes should be crispy and the meat mixture hot throughout.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Skillet: Used to cook the ground meat and sauté the vegetables until tender.
Chopping board: Essential for chopping the onions, garlic, and carrots.
Knife: Needed for chopping the vegetables and mincing the garlic.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the beef broth, tomato paste, and vegetables.
Measuring spoons: Useful for measuring the flour and any other small quantity ingredients.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the meat and vegetable mixture in the skillet.
Baking dish: Used to transfer the meat mixture and layer the mashed potatoes on top before baking.
Oven: Preheated to 400°F (200°C) to bake the shepherd's pie until the top is golden brown.
Potato masher: Handy for mashing the potatoes if they are not already mashed.
Mixing bowl: Useful for mixing ingredients or holding prepped vegetables.
Spatula: Helps in spreading the mashed potatoes evenly over the meat mixture in the baking dish.
Oven mitts: Important for safely handling the hot baking dish when removing it from the oven.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Use pre-chopped vegetables: Save time by using pre-chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and peas from the store.
Instant mashed potatoes: Opt for instant mashed potatoes to cut down on preparation time.
One-pot cooking: Cook the ground meat and vegetables in the same skillet to reduce cleanup time.
Batch cooking: Prepare a larger batch of the meat mixture and freeze portions for future use.
Preheat oven early: Start preheating the oven as you begin cooking to save time later.

Shepherds Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup peas
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoon flour
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a skillet, cook ground meat until browned. Add onions, garlic, carrots, and peas. Cook until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in tomato paste and flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Add beef broth and simmer until thickened.
- Transfer meat mixture to a baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes on top.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until top is golden brown.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Roasted Pork Chops Recipe35 Minutes
- Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs Recipe8 Hours 15 Minutes
- Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork Recipe8 Hours 15 Minutes
- Garlic Pasta Recipe25 Minutes
- Italian Baked Meatballs Recipe45 Minutes
- Air Fried Peruvian Chicken Drumsticks Recipe35 Minutes
- Chicken Katsu Recipe35 Minutes
- Curried Egg Sandwiches Recipe20 Minutes
Leave a Reply