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.
Honestly the best shepherds pie we have ever had! Didn’t need the cheese in the mashed potatoes..but was extra delicious!
I made this vegan by substituting Beyond Burger (4 patties) for the meat, used vegan Worcestershire sauce ,and veggie broth instead of beef broth, vegan butter (Earth Balance) and Unsweetened Silk for the half & half. It was really good, to the level of amazing!
Omfg!!!! I just made this for a dinner party with a group of friends. Everyone including myself loved it!!!
Very good. A few suggestions: I weighed my potatoes at the store and it took 4+ to get to 2lbs. I would recommend starting with the potatoes first, not the meat as the recipe orders it. That’s what I did, and I was done with the meat & veggies before the potato water started boiling. I felt like the meat was missing some depth of flavor, so I added about 1/2 C. of red wine. It was an improvement in my opinion, but to each their own. Finally, I had fresh carrots I wanted to use up, so I peeled and chopped them and added with the onions to ensure adequate cooking time.
I have made this recipe over and over and over and over again. EVERYONE LOVES IT!!!
I haven’t made it for a few months, and I am going to make it this week for someone new.
I have to give him most of it because I am unstoppable at eating it myself.
Folks, this is a SUPER “basic recipes” that leaves so much freedom to move in your direction.
I made this for the 3rd time tonight and it’s just the Amazing best.
I added various cheeses to the Potatoes and used Okinawan Sea Salt. It was speachless to see the
family enjoy this special dish. This has turned into a weekly dish. Thank you so much.
My husband hated shepherds pie since childhood until I made this one. He asked for seconds and told me to definitely make again. We love garlic so I just added a little extra to the meat mixture. The parm in the potatoes gave it a nice flavor.
I always make a recipe exactly as written the first time I make it. That being said, I hate rosemary and thyme isn’t my favorite either but I added them anyway. It tasted delicious!
Great Recipe — I’ve been making my take on both versions for most of my life. Only thing I would recommend is putting a small layer of the mashed potatoes on the bottom (very thin layer) – it somehow enhances the gravy and crisps a bit on the bottom. Make sure the oven is fully pre-heated if you do so.
Very tasty dish. I added extra garlic powder in the mashed potatoes per taste and also some cream cheese to make them extra creamy. Overall very flavorful and even my very picky kids loved it.
Oh my God this shepherd’s pie was so good that I had to come back and put a review. Usually I don’t put a review but having this pie, I had to come back and put one down. 10 out of 10
What is the serving size? I get that you say 1/6th but is that like 1 cup or what? My son counts calories etc… and would like an exact amount.
This is the best shepherds pie I’ve ever made all it needs it need it’s 1/4 of thyme and rosemary and it’s perfect
All the family love it
I made ahead as today is such a busy day! Any suggestions on alterations to time in over since it was in the fridge overnight?
I prepared mine the day before and stored in the refrigerator overnight. Before I baked it, I let it come to room temperature. It turned out great.
Very easy and tasty! Exactly the perfect measurements for each ingredient. The Husband gave direct instructions to print and save this recipe and to NEVER deviate from its original measurements! This will be a staple at our dinner table.
Delicious recipe. It definitely hit the spot for comfort food.
I have made a version of this several times. I use ground Turkey and add more spices. I usually make a double batch and it’s always a hit. Thank you for posting.
You can add 10 minutes if it’s been in the fridge all day or overnight, so bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
Check it at 30 minutes just to make sure your potatoes aren’t burning. If they are getting to brown, just put tin foil loosely over the potatoes.
This was so satisfying and comforting, absolutely delicious! I went carb crazy and served with toasted ciabatta bread. The flavors were deep and rich and outstanding, didn’t change a thing.
I added red wine
Yuuuuuuuummmmmmyyyyyy
Made this recipe this evening for the family, it was a hit! So delicious, the best shepherd’s pie we’ve ever had!
When I put pre-made casseroles in the fridge overnight, I usually pop them in the microwave for a few minutes to take the chilll off of them. Then I place in a preheated oven for the time suggested in the recipe… for this one, 400 degrees 25-30 minutes or until bubbly, as recipe states.
This recipe was amazing , I made 3lbs of mince .
Turned out fantastic!!
Its a winner! I made it using chunks of lamb from a leg of lamb, not ground and fresh carrots sautéed with onions. I actually had some homemade lamb broth from the roast and used that.I also cooked up the meat filling in a dutch oven and put the potatoes directly on top and threw the whole thing in the oven. I also use 1% milk, and only half the butter, but filled in with cream cheese. It all worked out.
I made this tonight it was delicious, I used ground turkey instead and traded the Worcestershire sauce for soy sauce but amazing, also we’re texture freaks so we added some crushed potato chips.
This was yummy!
I made one with regular mashed potatoes.
I also made one with mashed sweet potatoes (just cause I like them). Delicious!!
Will make this again. Thanks for the recipe.
It is our family’s tradition to have Shepherd’s Pie on Christmas Eve. This year I decided to try a different recipe, yours! I am so glad I did. This proved to be easy and definitely a keeper. I double the gravy ingredients, just because that’s how we like it. Thank you and welcome to the family!
Everyone loves this dish! I get requests for the recipe all the time.
Traded the Worcestershire sauce? Nooooooooooooo!
I just made this also and used turkey meat. So delicious!!
Very good and simple recipe. Next time I make it I will cut the rosemary and thyme in half. It was a little overwhelming. Also I cook my ground chuck in little chunks instead of chopped it all like taco meat. Overall great recipe. I will be cooking again.
This was great. I don’t like creamy potatoes so I left out the half and half and just stirred the potatoes with a quarter cup of butter and probably half a cup of cheese, sprinkled more on top and baked for 25 minutes. We both had seconds!
I have been looking for a delicious Shepherd’s Pie recipe for ages and came across this one. I followed the recipe and incorporated a few extra items into it from another recipe (my standard procedure). 1/2 c. Red wine added to cooked beef and reduce, then follow rest of recipe. When all beef came together and was simmering, a couple of handfuls of Hormel Bacon pieces (real bacon) and extra Worcester Sauce to give it that authentic Shepherd’s Pie flavor. Also added 1/4 cup sour cream to potato mixture as I didn’t have any Half &Half. Simply delicious! Now I have the best Shepherd’s Pie recipe.
This was the best shepherd’s pie I’ve ever tasted! Totally go with lamb.
What if I have 2lbs ground beef- does everything else in the recipe just get doubled?
The recipe shows in the upper right corner 1x 2x 3x and it appears all ingredients are doubled if you are making the recipe, times 2.
This is not only the best Shepherd’s Pie I’ve ever had, it might be the tastiest meal I’ve ever made in my life!
Absolutely excellent recipe!
I tried this and it was very soupy. So I’m not sure how to make it with the right proportions if you have 2 lbs of beef
This was a delicious warm meal! My family loved it! Thank you.
That’s what I do. I use 2 lbs of lamb and double everything else.
Hi Nicole, I’m not the original poster but saw your question. We are a family of 6 and often have to double the meat portion so yes, I would double the sauce/liquids/seasoning and only added extra vegetables as you like. No need to double the potatoes though unless you want to.
Yes, that is what I did
Yes.
I made double, I doubled everything, and put it in a 13×9 casserole with a sheet pan underneath for anything that may have dripped. It was a huge hit, so you will want to double.
Yes. Definitely. I make 4x recipe and freeze half. I use 2x to feed 6 people with corn muffins and a side salad. 🙂 I also bake it at 375 as it gets overcooked. You don’t want to overcook it.
Best tasting shepherd’s pie I’ve ever eaten. My husband had seconds. And we both had it today for lunch. Thank you for sharing.
It came out pretty good, but we thought it had too much thyme.
Gorgeous meat filling flavours with beautiful potatoes to match !
I used ground Turkey instead, my BF and I ate the whole thing.
Personally I think it depends on if you want more meat added to your potatoes, at most I would do one plus a half ratio when you have twice the meat,remember meat is protein and potatoes are carbs
In any recipe, be careful doubling salt. Use half again as much salt as called for, then taste, and adjust with additional pinches of salt.
I’ve made this so many times and it’s such a hit in my house! Can you make ahead and freeze this recipe? Any suggestions?
Wow! I love this recipe! Comfort food to the max! Thank you for the great recipe and a new spin to the one that I’ve been using for years, I was happy to spice things up a bit and make some changes to mine. Love it!
This is the very best Shepherd’s Pie I’ve ever made. I used half the butter and the potatoes were still buttery and delicious. I used lamb instead of beef. Since I made the meat filling in a cast iron frying pan, I topped the meat filling with the potatoes and popped it in a 400° oven. It cut the baking time by half because the pan was already heated.
Does the 1 cup of broth make this filling very liquid?
This is the best Shepard pie. My family loved it. I just made another pan with chicken and added cheddar cheese to the potatoes. Was so good.
I made this exactly as published. Added french fried onion rings on top of potatoes for crunch! Delicious!
If I need to make a big Shepherds pie for a family using 3 lbs beef do I need to triple the ingredients?
Very satisfied with recipe , best Shepherd’s pie I’ve made and eaten
Great idea to bake in the cast iron skillet. I’m going to try it with lesser basking time as you suggest.
Made this tonight and it was a hit! My friend went back for seconds!! Thank you super yummy and better than my recipe. Only changes I didn’t have thyme so I left it out and my mixed veggies had string beans. It’s a keeper!
I tried the recipe and it came out amazing! Of course as I like to add my own ingredients like red chilli powder, Turmeric powder, jeera powder, garam masala and more for more of an Indian spices twist. I did use Halal ingredients so instead of broth I used a vegetable oxo cube and boiled it in water with Halal Lamb. I didn’t have my frozen veg so I just used peas. Thank you for this recipe, I had no idea how to make shepards pie but this had given me an idea of how to make it and so I did. It’s easy, quick and tastes amazing. My family loved it!
I’ve used the bones of this recipe a few times now and like it so much! I hate doing dishes so I use the cast iron skillet I cook everything in to top with potatoes and cook. I omit the garlic and cheese, and add a lot of diced mushrooms. It’s so good!
Many favorite shepherd’s pie recipe! I crave this at least once a month !
I have not make it but I’m trying it this weekend
It really sounds so delicious
This recipe was the first recipe and only one I have used for Shepherds Pie. I love this recipe, surprisingly easier than I always thought Shepherds Pie to be. I did not make mashed potatoes from scratch. I bought Bob Evans Premade mashed potatoes and added all the ingredients to them. It was delicious.