Shepherd’s Pie

Our Shepherd’s Pie recipe is some serious comfort food! It’s made with ground beef, vegetables, a rich brown sauce, and mashed potatoes. 

Our Shepherd’s Pie recipe serves six and costs about $8.87 to make. That’s just $1.48 per serving!

We recommend our Instant Pot Meatloaf and Potatoes, our American Goulash, and our Easy Tater Tot Casserole for more affordable family dinners. 

Shepherd’s Pie

This recipe is for all you meat and potatoes lovers out there. This is comfort food at its best. Our Shepherd’s Pie has ground beef (or lamb) with veggies in a creamy gravy sauce that is then topped with mashed potatoes and baked, giving the top layer a crispy texture. 

Shepherd’s Pie really is an easy recipe to make. Our step-by-step directions will walk you through the process of prepping this meal in just 5-10 minutes.

We enjoy making it on St. Patrick’s Day due to its Irish roots, but it is perfect for any chilly night or a busy weeknight throughout the year. 

What is the difference between a cottage pie and a shepherd’s pie?

Shepherd’s Pie was first created in Ireland in sheep country. Therefore, lamb was used in the meat layer. When the dish made its way to the US, ground beef was substituted as an easier way to make the dish. As a result, some people began calling the US version cottage pie. Our recipe is our own take on the classic Shepherd’s Pie recipe.

What can you eat shepherd pie with?

This is a full meal in itself, with the sides combined into the main dish. Serve a green salad and a loaf of 1-Hour French Bread or 1-Hour Dinner Rolls alongside this Shepherd’s Pie, and you have an easy meal in no time at all. 

How much will this Shepherd’s Pie recipe cost to make: 

RECIPE COST: $8.87

PRICE PER SERVING: $1.48

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil – $0.28
• 1/2 cup onion – $0.31
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef – $4.60
• 1/2 cup frozen peas – $0.21
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary – $0.06
• 1/2 cup frozen carrots – $0.16
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme – $0.17
• 1/2 cup frozen corn – $0.21
• 3 cloves garlic – $0.15
• 1 teaspoon salt – $0.01
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper – $0.03
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth – $0.44
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste – $0.24
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce –$0.06
• 1/2 teaspoon salt – $0.01
• 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour – $0.04
• 1/4 cup half-and-half – $0.19
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder – $0.03
• 2 pounds russet potatoes – $0.67
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder – $0.01
• 1/3 teaspoon pepper – $0.01
• 6 Tablespoons butter – $.60
• 1/4 cup sour cream – $0.36

To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. 

Cook’s Tools:

• 9×9 baking dish
• large skillet
• wooden mixing spoon
• measuring spoons
• large pot
• measuring cups
• cutting board
• chef’s knife
• vegetable peeler

How to make Shepherd’s Pie recipe: 

STEP ONE:  First, make the meat layer in a large skillet. After simmering for 5 minutes, remove from heat and set it aside.

STEP TWO: Next, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. The oven rack should be in the middle position.

STEP THREE: Then, make the mashed potato topping. Once the potatoes are smooth, you are ready to assemble the layers.

STEP FOUR: Evenly spread the meat mixture into the baking dish. Then spoon the mashed potatoes on top and spread them into an even layer.

STEP FIVE: Finally, bake for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy!

The Flavor and Recipe Variations

• If you cannot find the peas and carrots separate, then use frozen peas and carrots mix.
• Also, sometimes we use the frozen vegetable mix that has green beans in it, too. 
• For an added layer of flavor, add some shredded cheddar cheese on top. 

How long is it good for:

Serve: As with most recipes with dairy products in them, you shouldn’t leave this Shepherd’s Pie out for longer than 2 hours. 

Store: Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

Freeze: We do not recommend freezing shepherd’s pie. When it’s defrosted and reheated, it’s a little soupy, and the potato mixture doesn’t hold up well. 

How to get the kids involved with this recipe:

Ages 2-3: Have your little one help pour in the ingredients for the potatoes. He/she can also help you mash them. 

Ages 4-5: Let your child help you measure the ingredients for the meat mixture. After you have browned the meat, have your child spread the mixture into the baking dish. 

Ages 6-8: Teach your child to use a meat masher to brown the meat. They can help to peel and chop the potatoes as well.  

Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe. 

Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!

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• 20-Minute Thai Peanut Noodles
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Shepherd’s Pie

Recipe Cost 8.87

Serving Cost 1.48

Course Main Course

Cuisine Irish

Our Shepherd's Pie recipe is some serious comfort food! It's made with ground beef, vegetables, a rich brown sauce, and mashed potatoes.

Servings: 6 people

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 40 mins

Total Time 50 mins

Equipment

• 9x9 baking dish
• large skillet
• Wooden mixing spoon
• Measuring spoons
• large pot
• measuring cups
• cutting board
• chef's knife
• vegetable peeler

Ingredients

 

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MEAT FILLING:

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup onion diced
• 1 ½ pounds ground beef or ground lamb
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ cup frozen peas
• ½ cup frozen carrots
• ½ cup frozen corn
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 ½ cup beef broth
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

MASHED POTATO TOPPING:

• 2 pounds russet potatoes peeled, chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ teaspoon pepper
• 6 Tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup half and half

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

MAKE MEAT LAYER:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the onions and cook for 3-5 minutes.
• Add in ground beef or lamb, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Cook for 6-8 minutes or until meat is browned.
• Add in Worcestershire sauce and garlic, cook for 1 minute.
• Add flour and tomato paste, stir until well combined.
• Add in the broth and vegetables, bring to a boil.
• Reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, occasionally stirring.
• Remove from heat and set the mixture aside.

PREP OVEN:

• Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

MAKE MASHED POTATO TOPPING:

• Peel and chop potatoes and place them in a large pot.
• Cover with water and bring to a boil, cook until fork-tender, about 10-15 minutes.
• Drain water and let potatoes sit in the hot pot for about 1 minute to evaporate any remaining liquid.
• Add butter, half and half, sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Mash the potatoes and stir until smooth.

ASSEMBLE:

• Add meat mixture to a 9x9 baking dish.
• Spread meat mixture into an even layer.
• Spoon the mashed potatoes on top and carefully spread them into an even layer.

BAKE:

• Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges of the potato layer begin to brown.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.25cup | Calories: 551kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 1079mg | Potassium: 1279mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2414IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 5mg

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