BEST Hearty Shepherd’s Pie Recipe with EASY Classic Potatoes

Hearty Shepherd’s Pie is the ultimate comfort food. With its mixture of meat veggies and rich gravy, topped with a layer of creamy parmesan mashed potatoes it’s always a request. Simple enough for a weekday dinner with your family, but delicious enough to serve company on Sunday!

It’s a savory pie like Chicken pot pie, that is usually served for dinner, but without the pie crust. Instead, it has fluffy mashed potatoes layered on top and baked to a golden crust. I hope this becomes your family’s favorite easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe!

What is Shepherd Pie?

Made with cooked meat like minced beef or lamb traditionally as the base for a delicious filling with veggies and beef gravy. Then covered with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes that made the ultimate pure comfort food, especially today in North America.

What is the Difference Between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie?

In England around the late 1700s, the home cook would make shepherd’s pie sometimes with leftover mashed potatoes. Often it was what they served to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. They call this pie “Shepherd’s pie” when made with lamb and “cottage pie” when made with beef.

Last night we made the best shepher’s pie variation by adding cheese to the potatoes to make cheesy mashed potatoes for the first time. They were devoured by my children who are avid cheese fanatics! Here is the Cheesy Shephard Pie Recipe by Martha Stewart that we followed.

Reasons Why you’ll love Hearty Shepherd’s Pie:

• Quick and easy to make
• All in one dish
• Healthy ingredients
• Hearty and filling
• Satisfying comfort foods: meat and potatoes

Pro TIPS for Making Hearty Shepherd’s Pie:

• Gluten-Free option:  trade out the flour for 2 T cornstarch.
• Wine: the wine adds an incredible depth and richness and the alcohol gets cooked out. It is not a must though. If you want to leave it out, just trade it for more broth.
• Thick not Soggy: Make sure the meat mixture looks nice and thick before layering the pie together. If not, simmer off a little more of that moisture for a few more minutes.
• Keep the Potatoes from Sinking: Let the meat mixture cool for 15 minutes, before layering the mashed potatoes on top. This is the best way to keep them from sinking.
• Brush with melted Butter: This helps the potatoes get that glorious golden brown color and crispiness!
• For Cheese lovers: add 4 T cream cheese and 1 c cheddar cheese to Yukon gold potatoes. Delicious!
• Vegetables: Use fresh or frozen vegetables for the best flavor.

How to make Authentic Shepherd’s Pie: Step by Step

• Make the Meat and gravy mixture
• Make the mashed potatoes
• Layer in casserole
• Bake at 400 for 30 mins
• Garnish with chives, and let rest 15 mins before serving.

TOOLS LIST:   For Hearty Shepherd’s Pie

• Dutch oven: to cook meat and filling mixture in
• Medium stock pot with lid: to cook potatoes in
• rubber Spatula
• Chef Knife
• Casserole dish or deep pie dish
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Potato masher or beaters
• wooden spoon

INGREDIENTS LIST: For Hearty Shepherd’s Pie

For the Mashed Potato Layer:

• russet potatoes
• egg
• heavy cream or chicken broth
• butter
• sour cream
• parmesan cheese
• salt & black pepper
• garlic powder
• butter (or olive oil)

For the Meat and Gravy Filling:

• Meat: lean ground beef or lamb, bacon and ham
• Aromatics: yellow onion, garlic, and celery
• Vegetables: carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, green beans and corn. You can use frozen, canned, or fresh veggies.
• Gravy:
  • flour
  • beef broth
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • salt and pepper
  • honey
  • tomato paste or tomato sauce
  • red wine
• Fresh herbs: thyme, rosemary, and either parsley or chives

HOW TO MAKE SHEPHERD’S PIE RECIPE:

Step 1:  Make Classic Potatoes Topping

Bring a pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat, and cook peeled and cubed potatoes till fork tender, about 12 minutes. Drain and return to pot. Mash the potatoes with butter, salt, garlic powder, ¼ c butter, egg, and parmesan cheese then set aside.

Step 2: Cook Meat and Gravy Filling

Sauté onion, garlic, celery, carrots, and ground meat in a large skillet over medium heat with 2 T butter till brown and translucent. Deglaze with the wine and broth for about 10 mins. Add frozen peas and corn and simmer for 5 minutes.

Then stir in flour and tomato paste then slowly add broth. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, honey, rosemary, and thyme. Simmer for 5 minutes. 

Step 3  Layer in Casserole Dish

Layer in casserole baking dish: pour beef mixture, veggies, and gravy filling on the bottom of a casserole or deep pie dish. Use a large ice cream scoop or spoon, to top with the mashed potato. Use a rubber spatula to spread an even layer. Drizzle with 1/4 c  melted butter on top of the mashed potatoes.

Step 4 Bake

Bake at 400 for 30 minutes, until potatoes turn a golden brown. 

Step 5 Rest

Remove and let set for 15 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with diced chives to garnish.

What to Serve with Shepherd’s Pie:

The best thing about Shepherd’s Pie is it doesn’t need any side dishes. It already has the meat, veggies, and potatoes all in one dish. But if you want to take this meal up a notch and make it even more well-rounded, try adding one of these:

• Fresh green salad
• Hot rolls
• Deviled Eggs
• Roasted Broccoli
• Sourdough Lemon Brownies for dessert

The best part of shepherds pie is that you can prep this entire dish in less than 30 minutes, making it a fantastic weekday dinner. I hope this classic shepherd’s pie recipe with its flavorful beef makes you feel like a modern-day Martha Stewart when you serve it to your family.

FAQs

Questions:

What’s the Best Way to Thicken Shepherd’s Pie?

Flour is the best and easiest way to thicken Shepherd’s Pie. If you don’t have that, corn starch is the next best option. If you like yours a little thicker, just add another Tablespoon of either.

What Kind of Potatoes Are the Best for Shepherd’s Pie?

Idaho Russet white potatoes are the best for making Shepherd’s Pie nice and white and fluffy. You can absolutely use other potatoes, but they will add a different element to the whole picture.

Can Shepherd’s Pie be made ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare Shepherd’s Pie a few days in advance. Just follow the original recipe and store it in an airtight container. A few hours before you want to cook it set it on the counter to come at room temperature for 30 mins first. A great way to reheat is just popping it in the oven and cooking it as normal.

How Long will Sheperd’s Pie keep in the fridge?

Shepherd’s pie can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. Otherwise, cover it with plastic wrap before covering it with foil to prevent it from dying out in the fridge. It’s best to have it already made in the dish you are planning on cooking it in.

What Kind of Meat is Traditionally used for Shepherd’s Pie?

Ground lamb is the traditional meat filling used for a hearty Shepherd’s Pie, hence the name “Shepherd’s”. If beef is used it is then called “Cottage Pie”.

Can I use substitute a different type of meat instead of ground beef for shepherd’s pie?

Yes, you can substitute the ground beef for any other ground meat. Ground turkey, chicken, and sausage work great!

Can I use Instant mashed Potatoes Instead?

Yes, you can use instant mashed potatoes instead of fresh ones. Just follow the instructions on the box for an amount of 4-6 c mashed potatoes. 

Is Shepherd’s Pie Gluten-Free?

Yes, it is if you trade the flour for cornstarch. And yes, it still makes the best shepherd’s pie!

More Cadence Farmhouse Recipes to Try:

• Hearty Meat Lovers Lasagna
• Creamy Homemade Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
• Sourdough Chinese Orange Chicken
• Homemade Sloppy Joes
• Ground Beef Stroganoff
• Italian Sausage Meatloaf

If you try this Shepherd’s Pie, tag us on Instagram @CadenceFarmhouse and leave a comment below!