The Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie – AKA Shepards Pie or Cottage Pie. Ground Beef (or lamb) with vegetables in a rich gravy, topped with cheesy mashed potatoes, and baked.
Shepherd’s Pie
So, this is how you spell it: Shepherd’s Pie. But, from doing a quick google search, it came to my attention that TONS of people think it’s Shepards Pie.
Irish Shepherd’s Pie
Traditional Irish Shepherd’s Pie would actually call for ground lamb. The difference between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie is the meat. Cottage Pie uses ground beef, while Shepherd’s Pie uses ground lamb.
I called this recipe Shepherd’s Pie. But, I wrote the recipe so that you could use ground beef or ground lamb.
I typically use ground beef because it is widely available. But, for a special occasion, like St. Patricks day, I would use ground lamb.
How To Make Shepherd’s Pie
(Note – The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post)
- Sauté some chopped onions in olive oil.
- Add ground beef or ground lamb.
- Add dried parsley, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Stir and cook the meat mixture until the meat is browned.
- Add minced garlic and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cook the garlic for a minute.
- Add flour and tomato paste.
- Add beef broth, frozen mixed peas and carrots, and frozen corn kernels.
- Simmer the meat gravy until it is thick.
- Boil some peeled and chopped potatoes until they are soft.
- Drain the potatoes
- Add butter, half & half, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mash the potatoes until smooth.
- Pour the meat mixture into a casserole dish.
- Top it with the cheesy mashed potatoes.
- Bake until the meat is bubbling and the potatoes are golden.
Easy Shepherd’s Pie
Making the best Shepherd’s Pie is not difficult. But, there are a few steps to it. You have to make the meat mixture, the mashed potatoes, assemble the casserole, and bake it.
I find that the easiest way to make this dish is to work ahead. You could make the beef or lamb mixture ahead of time. Or, you could make the mashed potatoes ahead of time.
You could also make the whole recipe ahead of time. Just assemble the casserole, cover the dish, and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it. I find it is best to bake it within 3 days of preparing it.
When you are ready to bake it, take it out of the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before you need to bake it to let it start coming to room temperature. Uncover it, and bake.
What to serve with The Best Shepherd’s Pie
- Deviled Eggs
- Roasted Broccoli from Skinnytaste
- The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Watch the Video for the Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie Below.
Find more of my recipes on TikTok
Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Meat Filling:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 lb. 90% lean ground beef -or ground lamb
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 garlic cloves -minced
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup frozen mixed peas & carrots*
- 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
Potato Topping:
- 1 ½ - 2 lb. russet potatoes -about 2 large potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter -1 stick
- 1/3 cup half & half
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
Make the Meat Filling.
- Add the oil to a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the onions. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the ground beef (or ground lamb) to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and and pepper. Stir well. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the meat is browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the flour and tomato paste. Stir until well incorporated and no clumps of tomato paste remain.
- Add the broth, frozen peas and carrots, and frozen corn. Bring the liquid to a boil then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Set the meat mixture aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Make the potato topping.
- Place the potatoes in a large pot. Cover the potatoes with water. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are fork tender, 10-15 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes in a colander. Return the potatoes to the hot pot. Let the potatoes rest in the hot pot for 1 minute to evaporate any remaining liquid.
- Add butter, half & half, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes and stir until all the ingredients are mixed together.
- Add the parmesan cheese to the potatoes. Stir until well combined.
Assemble the casserole.
- Pour the meat mixture into a 9x9 (or 7x11) inch baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the meat. Carefully spread into an even layer.
- If the baking dish looks very full, place it on a rimmed baking sheet so that the filling doesn’t bubble over into your oven. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes.** Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Check out all of my great ground beef recipes.
The best Shepherd’s Pie recipe ever! Love it made with lamb.
Really good easy recipe. Great for us when we upped the herbs, spices and garlic. 2x the recipe will feed a village. Thank you!
Wow this recipe is amazing. Packed with flavour and easy to make. I followed the recipe exactly using ground lamb I got from a butcher and I doubled it. I will freeze the left overs for another day. Family absolutely loved it.
bake at what temp?
To much tomato paste. I’ll use less next time.
Absolutely incredible and simple to make! 10 stars for sure.
Delicious! Best flavor of several recipes that I have tried recently.
can you freeze this
We love Shepherd’s Pie. I love the spices in this one. I used cheddar cheese (about a half cup with mashed potatoes and half cup on top) as well as about an 1/8 cup Parmesan. I was out of tomato paste so used several tbsp of tomato soup instead. I made more broth then first called for, because we love the sauce with the casserole. So 2 cups beef broth and 4 tbsp tomato soup. I was also out of mixed veggies so used frozen peas and corn. No carrots this time. It was yummy even with all the substitution for missing ingredients.
I made this tonight for the first time. It was amazing! My husband said he wants me to put it in our regular rotation of meals. My whole family liked it. It even won over my picky 8-year-old who, at first, only ate the potatoes off the top. After he finally tried a bite of the meat sauce from the bottom, he said, “I love this!” and dished up a big helping of the whole thing, which he finished off! The addition of rosemary and thyme added an excellent flavor. That was different than any other shepherd’s pie recipe I’ve tried before. Thanks for sharing! I will definitely make this again.
Best shepherds pie I’ve ever made. This will definitely be in our recipe rotation.
Yes, i always make very big batches and freeze a few dishes. I recomend adding slightly more bouillon or water, or thawing it overnight before you put it in the oven
The meat mixture yes, but I do not reccomend freezing the whole meal together, with the potatoes on top
Love this! It’s on repeat. I usually take quite a few liberties and it is always fantastic. I use turkey instead of beef. Add celery and a green or poblano pepper. Use 2 cups mixed vegetables (green beans, limas, peas, carrots, corn), yukon gold or sweet potatoes, unsweetened soy milk instead of half and half in the potatoes with 2/3 of the butter.
Turned out great! Thank you so much!!
This is my new favorite recipe! I’ve never had shepherds pie like this, only a very basic version cooked on the stove top. This is so delicious, especially the potatoes!! It does take a while and is quite a bit of trouble but WELL WORTH IT!! My husband helps me this is the 2nd time we’ve cooked it.
This recipe was excellent. My first attempt at Shepherds Pie. Rosemary can be cut down. I may have overspiced. Garlic and onion are vital. Beef broth essential. Not so sure about tomato paste? All else is good. I will try again with lamb. Thumbs up!
Great recipe!
This was the most delicious shepherd’s pie I’ve ever tasted! We added 1/4 teaspoon each of nutmeg and cinnamon to the meat mixture. And we used a combination of ground beef and ground sausage.
Yes.
I can’t believe I had all the ingredients at home , so easy to follow recipe, this is what I’m making and it taste really good , I love this dish.
Great recipe, my family loved it!!
Never made before, but tried this recipe this week. Used frozen soup vegetables containing peas, carrots, corn, and green beans. Used ground turkey. It is amazing and so flavorful!
Yes! I have frozen it and then re-heated it in the oven at 350F for about an hour. I usually make two pans of it. We eat one and I freeze the second.
Good Shepard pie
Fabulous recipe, very tasty and easy to make
mashed potatoes do not freeze well
This is the third time I have made this recipe and it consistently impresses. I always use ground lamb so it’s a true Sheppard’s Pie. The only substitution was frozen mixed vegetables for the peas and carrots. The potato topping is just excellent but this recipe overall is just something special.p
Absolutely delicious and easy to make. I cheated a bit and used Bob Evans Family Size Mashed Potatoes and they worked great.
Ive tried freezing this, in my opinion mashed potatoes (or potatoes of any kind) do not freeze and thaw well. I would freeze it without the potatoes, then once thawed make the fresh potatoe topping.
YES I DO I WROTE MY TWIST TO THE ORIGINAL RECIPE IN THE COMMENTS CHECK IT OUT
Absolutely delicious and easy to make👍
It looked very watery, so I probably should have drained the grease, but very good!
I wondered that too and I hope so as I just made two and stuck one in the freezer. I covered it with saran wrap first then foil, so guess we’ll see!
Yes. I cooked the whole thing and froze two dinners sized portions. Zapped them later in the microwave and they were still delicious.
AWESOME!!! BEST EVER!!
Wow, excellent flavor! So savory! Will definitely make this often!
Yes made it and put half in freezer, just defrost and microwave to heat up…..yummy
I freeze it all the time … usually in single portion sizes for a quick easy meal that I just pop into the oven straight from the freezer (in a different dish) and I have supper in about 35 minutes
My guys loved this. Used fresh parmesan in the taters. Over-baked it (for distracted) and our didn’t matter as bit. Very tasty & filling.
I punted for ingredients I didn’t have:
4T marinara (and counted the liquid as part of the broth, which I made from beef stock paste)
1/6c. milk + 1/6c. sour cream
all peas & corn, no carrots
My boyfriend and I make this dish often. We love it. & it has become a staple in our recipe book. Absolutely none goes to waste. Delish meal!
I’ve made this 6 or 7 times and it’s always good! I like to use fresh herbs for more flavor and have used ground beef and also Beyond and Impossible meat. No one could tell the difference. Sometimes I use dehydrated mashed potatoes to save time, but of
course fresh are better.
Great recipe!
Very good. My dad had always just used campbells soup. I used a small can of tomato sauce because that’s what I had. I didn’t use tyme because I don’t like it. Definitely a keeper.
Delicious! I held off adding the vegetables until after the sauce thickened a bit because I removed a portion of the meat mixture for my mother who can tolerate the veggies. I divided the pan and cooked the two mixtures side by side. Everyone loved it and no GI issues.
Delish!!
Used this as a base recipe and replaced half the meat with mushrooms as I usually do. And added a splash of red wine to deglaze. Really good.
This was so easy to make. My family loved it and kept asking for more! I left out the parmesan cheese but added grated cheddar cheese on top instead for that nice little crunch. We’ll be having this again 🙂
My family loves this recipe! it has definatly made it’s way into a monthly rotation! the herbs blend so well together. sometimes I’ll add one tablespoon of sherry to feel fancy 😆
I made this! I volunter at a church kitchen to feed the hungry. This receipe is outstanding. Will be using it again and again.
I made this. It was sooo delicious. It’s definitely going to become a regular meal for me. Easy too.
Can you cook the meat mixture the day before serving and cook the mashed potatoes and complete the recipe the day of serving?
I love this recipe and have made it often. It freezes well too.
This is the Best Shepards Pie O have ever made and eaten! Five Stars because my Husband and picky Son both loved it!
Hi Amanda!
Does this work as a made ahead recipe? Finishing through step 11 and baking it a day later? Thanks!
Delicious and a hit with the whole family! Easy to make, leftovers tasted just as good the next day. This recipe is a keeper.
Great recipe!
Oh my goodness this was so delicious. I made the recipe as written and it came out perfectly. I used my cast iron skillet to sautee the meat and bake the whole thing. I have to make two next time, we had no leftovers and I want it with an egg for breakfast.
Everyone in our gathering of seven family members including children this evening rated it delicious. I used beef and made enough for seconds by increasing the recipe by 1/2. I added rutabaga, too. A green salad is a good accompaniment.
This recipe was amazing! My family loved it. I doubled the recipe amd my hisband said he’d be taking it for lunch everyday. My own personal taste, I added extra salt, pepper amd garlic.
Next time, I may put it under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp up the potatoes a bit. Great meal!!
Made for St. Patty’s Day with ground beef. Do not like lamb. Bhi se Sobhlasta! It was Delicious!
This recipe absolutely lived up to its name as the Best Shepherd’s Pie!! I added a bit of ketchup because I prefer mine on the juicier side and a dash of sugar to combat any acidity.
I love this. I tweeked it and added cajun seasoning as well. Being from Louisiana we add it to everything. I also used canned vegetables but didn’t add them til the last step before putting it into oven. Also, used French style green beans instead of peas. Tasted great just as well. Thanks for the guidance!
I made this with ground turkey, as I was told by my PCP to reduce red meat. It smelled amazing while cooking, so I hoped that meant I wasn’t going to miss the beef flavor. I used leftover mashed potatoes so they didn’t have cheese in them originally, but I added it on top to brown in the last 5 minutes. Family rated it Yum = a keeper! Tasted as good as it smelled! I took pictures but I don’t see a place to upload them.
If I throw this in the freezer til next week how long will it take to cook in the oven?
I made this and followed your recipe with hamburger meat. It was awesome. My family was so pleased. This recipe will remain with me..
Made this tonight. We loved it. I used a Dutch oven to sauté the meat and added the potato layer. Then I just popped my Dutch oven into the oven.
My 9 year old loved it too!
My husband absolutely loves shepherd’s pie so I found this recipe and thought I would try it. It smelled delicious I used half ground beef half pork. Love the ease of the recipe.
Awesome recipe I’ve made this several times!
A couple things to note….
When using the option to multiply the recipe by 2 or 3 the butter and potato quantity don’t adjust properly. The tbsp/lbs change but it will say to use the same number if potatoes/sticks of butter.
Also, I recommend draining the fat from the beef/onion mixture or the meal will be pretty wet and greasy when finished.
I thought it was great. Most Shepard Pies I’ve had needed flavor. This recipe had good flavor. I used ground lamb but my wife wants it made with ground beef because that is what she is used . I guess I’ll have to try beef the next time.
Fat is flavor never drain.
I never drain the fat….I add flour to help make a gravy and cook it with the flour for a little bit.
This was a big hit with my husband and our friends we had over for dinner. It’s delicious, easy to prepare and just as good the following day. Add a salad and some homemade bread and you’ve got a complete meal. Oh, don’t forget the dessert. Very important to always have dessert. 😉
I naked it with extra lean hamburger and 5_6 diced bacon I’ve pre cooked and always have some frozen and dice it the I do all veg from scratch peas carrots mushrooms diced turnip cabbage diced onion yellow garlic all in one pot do the gravy mix in with meat layer meat and gravy on the bottom of the pan ,casserole dish then all the veg I also forgot celery diced I use olive oil and canola oil to do all the onions mushrooms and then pre boil some carrots/ turnip mix every thing together then bake at 350 degrees for 45 -1 hour uncovered brush melted butter on top of potatoes (mashed)use fork to make rough top of mash potatoes and brown ,then i grate some old cheddar cheese the real cheese not the pre cut from a bag I find the cheese tastes better put in oven till cheese melts.then fine dice parsley on top gives it a good bright colors WITH yellow cheese let cool on counter eat that night and if your single take casserole dish square preferably cut when it’s cold into square prices I frezze it in separate containers glass can microwave for fast but oven makes the potatoes and cheese firm I make 2 large glass Lausanne pans work best for me so I can always have a easy meal always available I’m disabled so I make and frezze different recipes due to not being able to cook every day and I would prefer my own frozen T.V dinners that the garbage that are sold in local stores, and I find mine taste better and cheaper TRY IT IT WORKS FOR ME I’M NEW HERE BUT LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME NEW IDEA’S FOR OTHER OPTIONS
Excellent recipe! I’ve made this twice and both times is comes out perfect. I use a flat griddle on the BBQ grill to cook everything except the potatoes. I skip the beef broth but add a can of diced tomatoes. Thanks Amanda for sharing this recipe. It’s definitely a hit at my house.
P.S. It is also great for a quick breakfast. A square of cottage pie paired with eggs over medium, perfect.
Hence why the recipe calls for 90percent ground beef.
I used lean meat so not much fat …I was able to sop it up out of the pan with paper towels….worked great!
I think that depends on what percentage of fat is in the meat you choose to use. If you use a lower fat percentage front beef, there is no need to drain the fat. The floor and onions will absorb them fast and that equals more flavor.
Had this for dinner, delicious 🤗
I had leftover meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Added a bit of flour wisked in the broth. Then with the frozen vegetables. Topped the mixture with the mashed potatoes with a sprinkle on top with cheddar cheese. So love your inspiring recipes
This was a perfect dish. We used lamb this time, but will try it with beef in the future. Soooo good.
This recipe needs more 5 stars…
We’re unconvinced that Irish Shepherds had cream cheese so we kept searching to find this one that didn’t call for cream cheese. It may actually be the best recipe ever.
It was so good that I didn’t even eat most of my first batch to save it for hubby’s lunches for most of the week, because he wanted nothing but this that week.
Tripled the recipe this time to give some away.
I tripled all ingredients myself without using the function on this website, so no issues.
Really appreciate the post.
We made this for dinner tonight and it was a hit! My guy isn’t into meals being all mixed together which in not a fan of either! He’d never had shererds pie and I have a few times. This way by far the best version I’ve ever had/made! Great meal that fairly cheap and quick/easy to make! THANKS FOR THE GREAT RECIPE!!!!
Excellent and easy recipe. I leave out the corn. My family loves it!
Can this be assembled ahead and baked later?
My family RAVED over this and I’ve made other versions of Shepherds Pie but this one “hit the nail on the head”. I did cut the thyme and rosemary by half and used cheddar and Parmesan for topping. Make this!
Easy to follow and delicious recipe! I don’t eat meat, but I made it for my boyfriend today for dinner and he loved it! Classic comfort food.
Was easy to make and delicious
Whats half and half? We dont have this in the UK
Single cream or whole milk and double cream (half and half) would be close to the fat content of our half and half in the US.
It is half milk, half crème!
It’s like a buttermilk
Heavy cream
Half heavy whipping cream (Is this double cream?) and half milk.
Half and half is equal parts cream to whole milk, sold in the USA as half and half. Americans generally use it in coffee but sometimes, as here, in recipes.
Half and Half is a creamer what Americans used as coffee creamer for coffee. You can substitute Heavy Cream or Single Cream ( or substitute equal parts, half whole milk and half part of single cream – (most people just use cream) Hope that helps.
My family loves this recipe. I do double it and I also use a full can of tomato paste for added flavor
It’s half milk half cream. I didn’t have any half and half in the house so I used half cream and half milk and it was just lovely.
You should add an altrnative, how our families made it. Mom used lower and upper pie crusts. Smalll cut potatoes were in the filling. Otherwise pretty much the same, YUM.
Half and half is 1/2 whipping cream and 1/2 milk, make it yourself or we get it premade.
Actually super delicious!!! Not the traditional Shephards pie I grew up with- an improved version!! Will definitely be making again.
Fabulous and very easy. Didn’t do the tomato paste and super tasty. Worcestershire was a great touch.
I’m so glad that you mentioned that. I’d like to make it but prefer the brown gravy instead of tomato based gravy 😊
My sweetheart is a shepherds pie aficionado. She said this was the best she had ever had. Raving about it. My only addition was to add a sprinkling of Parmesan on top just before placing in the oven. I also substituted lean bison for the meat but same quantity otherwise. fresh veg instead of frozen with the carrots par boiled. We focus on using organic local and fresh wherever possible. We deleted the corn and made up the difference in carrots and peas as per suggested volume.
The garlic and parm potatoes nicely complimented the very well seasoned meat mixture. A very well balanced dish that we decided to call cowboy pie because of the bison. BTW, I concur with my partner it is the best I have ever made or had . We have eaten the various versions of cottage, shepherds etc all over Ireland , the UK and Canada. My daughter is an accomplished chef that has worked in Michelin restaurants in London UK . Don’t tell her that I prefer your recipe! We are a family of serious cooks, not weekend warriors. Kudos to Amanda you hit this one out of the park.
I made this as written but with a few changes due to what I had on hand…and it was delicious! Didn’t have corn or peas and forgot to add the cheese to the mashed potatoes, but everything was still delicious! I sauteed onion, leek, celery and carrots…then pretty much followed the recipe. Yum! My hubby loved it.
Looks amazing going to make this as posted but can you make ahead and refrigerate bake later? We did where I once worked just curious thank you!
Do you by any chance know how the instructions would change if you were making this ahead? How long does it bake if I stop after assembly and refrigerate? I’m planning to make this for someone else. Thanks!
My husband and I loved it
This Shepherd’s Pie was so good i have 2 plates i will do this again 🙂
Use to make when younger, when first started cooking. Loved it then and I like the different ingredients you have in your recipe. 10 star my family loved it and I made enough to share with the neighbors and same with them ♥️ ❤️ 💖 💕
My family loved this recipe. I didn’t have half and half so I used half milk and half whipping cream.