Easy Shepherds Pie (Printer-friendly)
Comforting British dish with savory beef filling and creamy mashed potato topping, baked to golden perfection.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Filling
01 - 1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 1 cup frozen peas
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 1 cup beef broth
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - ½ tsp black pepper
12 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
→ For the Mashed Potato Topping
13 - 2 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
14 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
15 - ½ cup milk
16 - ½ tsp salt
17 - ¼ tsp black pepper
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Place potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well.
03 - While potatoes cook, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and carrots, sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
04 - Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink.
05 - Stir in tomato paste, cook 1 minute. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes. Stir in peas, cook 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
06 - Mash the drained potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
07 - Spread the beef mixture evenly in a 2-quart baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes, spreading to cover the filling completely.
08 - Use a fork to create ridges on the surface. Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is lightly golden and filling is bubbling.
09 - Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary that tastes even better the next day
- The creamy mashed potato topping creates the most satisfying contrast to the savory filling beneath
- This is the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table faster than you can say dinners ready
02 -
- Drain the potatoes really well after boiling, excess water makes gluey mashed potatoes
- Let the beef mixture cool slightly before topping with potatoes so they dont melt into the filling
- Creating those ridges with a fork isnt just for looks, they get wonderfully crispy and add texture
03 -
- Warm your milk before adding it to the potatoes for smoother mashing with fewer lumps
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef mixture to the baking dish if it seems too juicy