Super Shepherd’s Pie
Super Shepherd’s Pie is the ultimate comfort food recipe! A savory casserole of ground beef and vegetables simmered in a rich gravy, topped with fluffy mashed potatoes.
Casseroles or dinner pies are a great way to feed the family. Two other budget friendly meals you will want to try are Baked Spaghetti Pie and Classic Tuna Casserole.
Ingredients
- Ground beef – use extra lean ground beef. I have found that regular ground beef is too fatty. Minced lamb can be used for a more traditional recipe.
- Vegetables – fresh and frozen vegetables are used in this recipe. Canned vegetables will bake up too mushy.
- Potatoes – Yukon gold are my favorite for making mashed potatoes.
- Butter – butter is added to the mashed potatoes giving them an extra creamy flavor.
- Milk – whole milk is added to the mashed potatoes. For a richer and creamier layer of mashed potatoes you can use cream.
- Thyme – this herb adds a subtle hint of flavor. If you do not like thyme, simply leave it out.
- Tomato paste – tomato paste compliments the ground beef for an extra punch of flavor.
- Beef gravy mix – prepared as per packet directions. In addition to adding more savory flavor, the gravy will ensure the Super Shepherd’s pie is saucy, not dry.
Variations and substitutions
- Using ground turkey in shepherd’s pie is a healthy alternative to ground beef.
- Try some different vegetables like celery, zucchini, red peppers and mushrooms.
- Instead of using regular mashed potatoes, this recipe tastes incredible topped with my garlic mashed potatoes.
- Top with melted cheddar cheese.
Add additional flavoring with:
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Lamb is not readily available here in Canada, so I have always made with recipe with lean ground beef. Growing up we simply called it Shepherds Pie, not Cottage Pie as some people will point out is incorrect. Call it what you like, it is a hearty, delicious recipe that my family loves!
Traditional Shepherd’s pie came from England and was made with minced lamb. The American version commonly referred to as Cottage Pie uses ground beef. Ground beef is more readily available in North America and has become the more popular version of this classic recipe.
How to make Shepherd’s Pie
Peel and cut potatoes into cubes. Boil in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain.
Add the butter and milk. Mash with potato masher until fluffy, set aside.
Using a large heavy skillet add ground beef, salt and pepper. Fully cook the meat and set aside.
Using the same skillet drain fat from skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add onions, carrots and garlic. Sauté over medium heat until tender.
Stir in the green beans, corn and peas. Simmer for about 4-5 minutes.
Prepare the gravy mix as per package directions.
Mix together the gravy, ground beef and vegetables. Stir in the tomato paste and thyme, then spread into a 2 quart casserole dish.
Top with the mashed potato mixture. Cover and bake at 350º fahrenheit for 40-50 minutes.
Optional – Add shredded cheddar cheese. Remove from oven, sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.
Can you freeze Shepherd’s Pie?
Super Shepherd’s Pie freezes very well for up to 3 months. Cover with plastic wrap, and store in airtight container. Thaw and bake for 50-60 minutes.
Best ever ground beef recipes
From soup to meatloaf to burgers, ground beef is a budget friendly meat that I love to use in so many hearty recipes!
This post was originally published June 27, 2015. Occasionally I update with fresh tips, content, and photos. Current update April 28, 2021.
Super Shepherd’s Pie
Video
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds extra lean ground beef
- 7 medium potatoes 6-7 cups raw, chopped
- 3 carrots chopped 2 1/2 cups raw, chopped
- 1 onion chopped about 1 cup
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 cup corn frozen or fresh
- 1 cup green beans frozen or fresh
- 1 cup peas frozen or fresh
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 6 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 packet beef gravy mix prepared as per instructions
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Peel and cut potatoes into cubes. Boil in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain.
- Add the butter and milk. Mash with potato masher until fluffy. Set aside.
- Using a large heavy skillet add ground beef, salt and pepper. Cook until meat is browned. Set aside.
- Using the same skillet drain fat from skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add onions, carrots and garlic. Sauté over medium heat until tender.
- Stir in the green beans, corn and peas. Simmer for about 4-5 minutes.
- In the meantime prepare the gravy mix as per package directions.
- Mix together the gravy, ground beef and vegetables. Stir in the tomato paste and thyme. Spread mixture into 2 quart casserole dish.
- Top with the mashed potatoes. Cover and bake at 350º fahrenheit for 40-50 minutes.
- Optional – add shredded cheddar cheese. Remove from oven, sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese. Return to oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until has melted.
Nutrition
Looks great! Not sure why you are getting so many rude comments about this not being real “Shepherd’s Pie”. If they don’t like it, don’t make it and keep it moving! There are more important things to worry about 😉
Hey Ashley, the controversy seems to be that some people would only call it Shepherd’s Pie if made with lamb, and cottage cheese if made with beef.
Thank you for the yummy, easy recipe!
your so welcome Tracy
I made this recipe for my husband and 13 year old, who both loved it! Thanks! I am currently trying to find new recipes to make for co-workers, who recently had babies. I’d love to give it to them frozen, so they can heat it when they’re ready. Any suggestions/instructions on how to do that?
Hi Julie, so glad your family enjoyed the Shepherd’s Pie recipe. One of my fav recipe to bring to family and friends is my spaghetti sauce. It freezes really well. Also a couple of other of my recipes that freeze well is Irish Stew. Baked Spaghetti Pie, Turkey Burger Soup, and my Fuel to Go Muffins are alway a huge hit that freeze well.
Sure wish I had seen this last week. Had to take a meal to family from church and they mentioned they liked Shepherds Pie. I have never made it and couldn’t find a recipe I thought would be amazing so they got chicken pot pie lol. I’m looking forward to trying this soon. Maybe I will take a meal of Shepherds Pie to them after all. Looks wonderful. Thanks for the recipe.
Drop me a note, love to hear how you like the recipe when you make it.
Hi Laureen! been making this for years now — and everyone LOVES it!! I actually sprinkle some Chili Mix Seasoning in the beef while I’m browning it…..and sometimes sprinkle Chili powder in it, toss, just before putting in the oven. Not a lot, just a dash or two. What a nice little kick. Thanks for sharing, love your photo’s!!
Hey Cheri, I like that idea of adding a little heat to it with Chili powder/seasoning
Why would you call this Sheppard ‘ s pie? Why wouldn’t you market this as your own recipe? Sheppard pie has a history and culture. You have prepared a hamburger helper recipe with a mashed potato crust.
Mike, I respect your comment but my Grandma always called it Shepherd’s Pie and that is what I have always called it.
Why on earth would you be so RUDE?????? Good gosh, everybody I know calls this Shepherds Pie. Why do you have to be so technical. Google Shepherds pie and you come up with tons of recipes that are basically just like this. Hamburger with veggies, gravy and topped with mashed potatoes.
I don’t think it’s meant to be a criticism, rather education. Shepard pie is made with lamb. What’s the problem? We live and we learn!
I’ve eaten this my entire life and always called it Shepherd’s Pie, as does every other person I know who eats it. Good thing since I’d never eat lamb. I think this recipe looks incredible and I can’t wait to try it.
My Grandma always called it Shepherds Pie, made with beef, sometimes even pork and beef combined, so thats what I call it, I don’t think it matters much as it tastes great!
My great-grandparents were Irish …from.just outside of Waterford Ireland ….this is shepard’s pie !!! It does not matter what meat you have… it looks wonderful …keep up the good work.
Thanks for the comment Kp, I agree doesn’t matter what kind of meat, its just a great dish the family will love.
why would you not eat lamb?
My son has been begging me to make him a shepherd’s pie for about a month now. I just don’t make it much cuz hubby doesn’t like it. However, I am making this today for me and T. T is 17 and loves this dish. I am surprised cuz he’s not a veggie lover. Sweet little hubby is making his own dinner tonight yayyy! Anyway, I wasn’t in love with the last recipe I used so I am going to use this one tonight. Good grief, gravy is my middle name!
Hey Stacey, let me know if you enjoyed the recipe. thanks
I made this recipe several times and it’s always a hit! Only change i made was using 2 jars (Heinz) no salt beef gravy in place of gravy packet. One jar for filling and the other I placed in a gravy boat on the table for those that liked a little extra. I did not use the cheddar cheese topping. Great Recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Linda, glad your family enjoys it, a super comfort food.
I am making mine tonight, & I do not care what it is called. It looks and sounds amazing so mine is about to go in the oven! Thank you for sharing, I will let you know how it turns out.