This ultimate comfort food recipe has a rich tasty gravy, ground beef, veggies topped with fluffy mashed potatoes.
Super Shepherd’s Pie is one of my family’s most requested recipes. This ultimate comfort food recipe has a rich tasty gravy, ground beef, veggies topped with fluffy mashed potatoes.
Super Shepherd’s Pie is one of those easy to prepare comfort foods. It is a simple dish with ingredients you usually have on hand. You can also make it ahead of time, then refrigerate until ready to bake. This dish also freezes very well. My secret to making a Shepherd’s Pie that is moist and delicious is to add prepared gravy to the mixture. Adding my favourite packaged beef gravy mix adds a terrific boost of flavour and extra sauciness to the filling.
I you like top with some grated cheese for an extra savoury flavour.

Super Shepherd's Pie
This ultimate comfort food recipe has a rich tasty gravy, ground beef, veggies topped with fluffy mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
- 1½ lb lean ground beef
- 6-7 medium potatoes about 6-7 cups raw, chopped
- 3 carrots chopped about 2 1/2 cups raw, chopped
- 1 onion chopped about 1 cup
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup frozen green beans optional
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp thyme
- 6 tbsp butter
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 package beef gravy mix prepared as per instructions
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded optional
Instructions
- Peel and cut potatoes; cook in salted water until tender, about 20 minutes, drain.
- Add butter, milk and mash; set aside.
- In large sauté pan add ground beef, salt, pepper and cook until browned. Transfer to casserole dish.
- Drain off all but about 1 tbsp. fat from sauté pan, add onions, carrots and garlic and cook until tender.
- Stir in beans, corn and peas. Cook for about 4-5 minutes (I usually add the beans and cook for a few minutes before adding peas and corn as they take a bit longer to cook.
- In the meantime prepare gravy mix as per package instructions.
- When gravy has thickened, stir in tomato paste and thyme.
- Add gravy mix into vegetable mix, then stir in ground beef and pour into 2 quart casserole dish.
- Top with mashed potato mix, cover and bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
- (optional) Add shredded cheddar cheese and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition
Calories: 408kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 28gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 568mgPotassium: 1235mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 4520IUVitamin C: 31.7mgCalcium: 198mgIron: 8mg
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Tisha
First time ever making shepherds pie. This was amazing . My family enjoyed every bit of it. Thanks for the recipe!
Laureen King
Thank you Tisha, so glad your family enjoyed the recipe!
Kat
This is just like my Shepherds Pie, except I use tomato soup. I’ve been making it for 50 years. Everybody raves about it.
Laureen King
Hi Kat, tomato soup sounds like a tasty addition!
John
If you STILL think it’s correct to make Shepherd’s Pie with BEEF and not LAMB then I can only imagine your recipe for Tuna Casserole having crab meat in lieu of tuna and your jam doughnuts containing marmalade instead of jam……!! Such fun in the kitchen for kiddies.. haha !!
Bmomma89
John you seem very angry. Perhaps you should save your angry and toxic comments for somewhere more appropriate.
This recipe was divine! I wouldn’t have minded if you want to call it shepards pot pie. Haha..delicious and thank you for sharing it with us!
John
Oh Dear, fancy you thinking I’m angry. Not at all. I always enjoy a Shepherd’s Pie, but unlike the many faux cooks around, I always use real lamb. Once my pie is cooked and I’m enjoying the first tasty mouthful I then of that little poem “Mary had a little Lamb”…… and I smile to myself, and think ‘we’ll this one sure ain’t going to be Mary’s’…….!!
KenO
Shepherds frequently cooked with beef, without harming any of their own flock. A passing cow was fair game wherever they went!
evette
Used this recipe on a ‘grandmas teaching the boys how to cook’ night. They absolutely loved it!! Each one added their own twist to show off their skills and they’re still discussing ways to make even more yummy. My family considers this a winner!
Laureen King
What an awesome idea to have a “how to cook” night. Thrilled you would have used one of my recipes! Thanks
Stacey Armentrout
I just made this … and although it is not a “CLASSIC” Shepherds Pie as so many were to comment.
I do know my family enjoyed it emensly, my pocket book was happy.
My only complaint was no leftovers.
THANK YOU FOR AN EASY AND DELICIOUS go to recipe!!!
Laureen King
Thank you Stacey, great to hear your family enjoyed the recipe.
Linda
My mom was from the depression era and when she made this she always used to cook the ground beef w/onions and when it was thoroughly cooked she drained the fat off and added 1 can of Campbells vegetable soup saved all the prep. They knew life a little cheaper and easier.
Laureen King
Our Mom’s and Grandma’s sure knew how to make great food on a limited budget.
Eileen
Can I make ahead and freeze this recipe?
Laureen King
For sure Eileen
sharyn
presentation is everything. What mold did you use to make your super shepherd’s pie look amazing
Laureen King
Hi Sharyn, I used a 3.5 inch food ring. You can buy them on amazon in all kinds of sizes.
Karen O
Can’t wait to make this. Question…looks like made in a cast iron skillet. I noticed in directions, to put in casserole. Which one should be used!!
Laureen King
Karen, the photo you see was my stainless steel skillet. I have made it in a dutch oven casserole dish and even just a glass baking dish and it tastes wonderful in what ever pan you choose.
Pam
I am trying this recipe tonight.Its similar to how I make mine but I cheat and used canned vegetable soup the way my mom made it when I was growing up.I cook for independant seniors and like to give them better options for nutrition.This looks delish Laureen.
Alexis
I love shepherds pie!! I’m making this tonight!!! I hate the taste of lamb so I love recipes that use beef so maybe we should call it cowherds pie or possibly cattle pie for the peanut gallery who’s oh so technical about their food name stipulations .. thank you!!!
Bonnie Duff
This is really good. The only think I would suggest is to microwave the carrots for a few minutes. Otherwise it is perfect. Thanks
Shay
Hi, what kind of beef gravy mix do you suggest?
Thank you! Trying tonight
Sharon
Laureen King
My preference is McCormick Gourmet packaged Roast Gravy, but have also used Club House brown gravy mix. Mix either as per package instructions.
John
If you want real flavour forget all the PACKET mixes….use beef stock…or even chicken stock !