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.
I absolutely wowed my family with this recipe. I added more Worcestershire sauce, and a tiny bit more broth so the beef is a little more juicy. Last time i made it i even surprised myself at the flavor. Great recipe!
Excellent recipe! I followed the instructions exactly. I have never cared for this recipe growing up but my husband has been wanting it. I am now a fan of this meal that’s simple enough to put in my rotation. Thanks!
This was simple to make, and our family loved it! It is very flavorful and delicious!
The husband loves it! He likes more gravy, so doubled the broth the second time I made it I then added shredded cheese on top of the potatoes! That made it perfect for him!! He loves the spices! If I’d not told him he would have thought I used ground lamb!
This recipe is really good! My whole family loves it.
This in an all time favorite of my husband’s. I make this a few times a year. Always comes out perfect.
This recipe is to die for… nobody used ketchup!!!!! The tangy rich meat mix was up to par and finally nobody wanted ketchup for it ☺ I found my new shepherd’s pie recipe ♥
I can’t thank you enough for posting this recipe online. I made it both ways, first I made it with beef and then I made it the traditional way with lamb and I gotta say the traditional way was the best. I only use your recipe every-time I make it now. This is my all time favorite meal so thank you again. Much love
Awesome! We use half lamb and half ground beef.
Absolutely awesome!! Can’t recommend this enough!! Thank you Thank you!!
Wow!!! This turned out amazing!!! My Husband and picky 5 year old loved it!!! I will definitely be making this again. I’m going to try making it with mashed sweet potatoes next time.
Great recipe used all garden vegetables with lamb, and put dried cottage cheese in with the potatoes. Turned out good no leftovers. Did some frozen single servings too.
Easy and good. This will be my third time making it!
Very good. I used leftover mashed potatoes, added the Parmesan to them and it was an easy and delicious
Love this recipe. It’s simple to make, but has such great flavour thanks to the herbs and spices! The only change I make is to melt grated cheddar cheese over the top while it bakes rather than mixing Parmesan into the potatoes. I’ve made it 3 times and it will remain in regular dinner rotation.
This recipe was great!! Do not change this recipe at all.
Easy to follow as your instructions and how to prepare the dish ahead of time, excellent!
I have prepared your Shepherds Pie several
times. It’s the only recipe I use now. Delicious! 😋 Thank you!
This is the best Shepherd’s Pie recipe ever! It is worth every second of making it. Everyone I have ever made it for loves it. No comparison! I did add about 1 cup of sour cream to the potato part. And I always double the recipe because 1 batch is never enough, lol! Thank you so much for posting this recipe!!!
Could lactose free milk and margarine be used instead of the half and half and butter?
Fantastic!
Made it for Easter.
My Granddaughter requested it.
She loved it!
I used cheddar instead of parm because that’s more children friendly.
I will Definitely put this in my kid rotation.
A wonderful recipe and everyone wanted seconds, This will be my new go-to recipe for company. It is savory and the lamb is a lovely background for all of the other ingredients. Love this!
Amazing! Rave reviews in this household! Used only corn and added extra cheese (cheddar and parm between the layers and a healthy amount on top. Browned it under the broiler the last few minutes. Great spices in the meat layer. Yummy 🤤
Absolutely delicious!! Whole family loved it. Used gluten free flour and a 13oz bag of gluten free plant based crumbles. We will eat this often—thanks!!!
Never fail comfort food! This recipe is my favorite:)
Great easy recipe. First time making Shepherd’s Pie. Would have tried sooner if I realize how quick and easy it was. Next time I’ll lower the amount of thyme. Used cooked carrots and canned corn; increased the amount of beef broth to compensate for no extra water from frozen veggies.
Great recipe
Delicious. A favorite of the family
I cooked this dish today. We loved it, great recipe. I will make it again soon, delicious 😋
I have tried a few shepherd’s pies in my time, this one is outstanding, sticking with this one, you will not regret it. Tasty spot on recipe. I used cheddar with the mash, suits the kids. Cheers
Great Recipe. I just add a little cayenne pepper… (this island girl needs more spice 😆).