Description
Easy Shepherd’s Pie is a comforting classic casserole featuring a savory ground beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, this recipe combines tender potatoes, flavorful meat, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce for authentic taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Mashed Potatoes
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds potatoes (about 3 large potatoes), peeled and quartered
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 8 Tablespoons (1 stick) butter, divided
Filling
- 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1-2 cups vegetables—diced carrots, corn, peas
- 1 1/2 lbs ground round beef
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt, pepper, other seasonings of choice
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a medium-sized pot. Cover with at least an inch of cold water and add one teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes.
- Cook Onions and Vegetables: While the potatoes cook, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until tender, about 6 to 10 minutes. Add diced carrots at the start with the onions as they require similar cooking time. Add peas or corn towards the end or after adding the meat to avoid overcooking these quick-cooking vegetables.
- Cook Ground Beef and Simmer Filling: Add ground beef to the pan with the onions and vegetables. Cook until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if there is more than 1 tablespoon. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in Worcestershire sauce and beef broth. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook uncovered for 10 minutes. Add more beef broth if needed to keep the mixture moist. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Mash Potatoes: Once potatoes are cooked through, drain and transfer them to a bowl. Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Mash with a fork or potato masher. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Shepherd’s Pie: Spread the cooked meat and vegetable filling evenly in a large baking dish (such as a 9 x 13-inch casserole). Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the filling. Use a fork to rough up the surface of the mashed potatoes, creating peaks that will brown nicely. You can also use the fork to create decorative patterns on top.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the assembled casserole in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes until the top is browned and bubbling. If needed, broil for the last few minutes to brown the potatoes further—use caution with glass dishes under the broiler. A ceramic or metal dish is safer for broiling.
Notes
- This shepherd’s pie recipe is a classic casserole from Britain and Ireland adapted with American-style ingredients and cooking.
- Use vegetables like diced carrots, peas, and corn for a traditional flavor and texture balance.
- Worcestershire sauce adds depth and a savory umami note to the beef mixture.
- Roughing up the mashed potato surface helps create a crispy, browned crust when baked.
- Be careful when broiling if using glass dishes; ceramic or metal dishes are safer under high heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 865 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1031 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 54 g
- Cholesterol: 212 mg
