This Easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe is made with ground beef, brown gravy, and frozen vegetables in less than 30 minutes on the stove top. Broil in the oven for just 5 minutes and dinner is served! Make it with my homemade mashed potato recipe, or use up leftover mashed potatoes!
Be sure to try my Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe next!
Easy Shepherd’s Pie
When it comes to comfort food, Shepherd’s Pie is a classic.
The best part about this recipe is that there is no need to let it simmer extensively on the stove top like most Shepherd’s Pie recipes. Even 30 minutes of simmering can be a bit much during a busy weeknight.
Most recipes also call for up to 2 lbs. of ground beef, which is a bit much if you have a family of four. This one conveniently calls for just 1 lb. of ground beef, frozen vegetables, and some pantry-friendly items to add amazing flavor to the filling!
Shepherd’s Pie vs. Cottage Pie
Shepherd’s Pie originated in 1849 and contained sliced meat as opposed to minced. It’s important to note that the type of meat in the original dish (beef, lamb, etc.) was not specified. It’s signature characteristic was sliced meat topped with mashed potatoes and baked.
The dish has since evolved to include different varieties of minced meat, those varieties depend greatly on the region it’s being prepared in.
Countries outside of the US commonly prepare Shepherds Pie with lamb, while the US often prepares it with ground beef. While Cottage Pie is used to describe this dish as being prepared with ground beef, it’s also common to hear it referred to as Shepherd’s Pie in the US.
Per Wikipedia:
“Shepherd’s pie, cottage pie, or hachis Parmentier is a ground meat pie with a crust or topping of mashed potato of English origin. The recipe has many variations, but the defining ingredients are ground red meat cooked in a gravy or sauce with onions, and topped with a layer of mashed potato before it is baked”
The Broil Method
To keep your filling nice and juicy and the potatoes super creamy, simply broil the potatoes for about 5 minutes prior to serving in order to achieve the classic browned crust we all know and love.
Using Store-Bought or Instant Potatoes
If you’re not up for making homemade mashed potatoes, 3 cups of store bought or instant mashed potatoes may be used for an easy shortcut!
Make-Ahead Method
1-2 Days Ahead: Store in Refrigerator
- Prepare as outlined. Let it cool, then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, cover and bake in a 350° oven for 40 minutes.
- Remove the cover and broil at 550° for about 5 minutes.
1-2 Months Ahead: Store in Freezer
- Prepare as outlined. Let it cool completely, then cover tightly and freeze.
- When ready to serve, let it thaw overnight, then cover and bake in a 350° oven for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and broil.
- OR, cover and bake the frozen pie at 350° oven for 1 hour. Remove the cover and broil.
Storing Leftovers
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350° oven or in the microwave.
- Leftovers also make a great freezer food.
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Easy Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 rib celery, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb. ground beef, I used 85% lean
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup brown gravy, see notes
- Salt/Pepper
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 3 cups mashed potatoes
Instructions
Prepare the Potatoes.
- My homemade mashed potato recipe is perfect for this recipe, you’ll make a half batch to end up with 3 cups. While the potatoes boil, prepare the filling.
Prepare the Filling
- Preheat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and celery. Saute for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Increase heat to high. Add the ground beef. Cook and crumbled until cooked through. Drain all excess grease.
- Reduce heat to medium-high. Sprinkle in the flour and toss to coat. Add the Tomato Paste and thyme. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan with the Chicken broth. Use a silicone spatula to scrape up any brown bits from the pan, this adds flavor to the filling.
- Add HALF of the brown gravy. Stir in the vegetables until heated through.
- Season with salt/pepper and add more gravy if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove from heat.
Assemble
- Transfer to a lightly greased 9-inch pie pan or 7 x 11 casserole dish. Carefully spread warm mashed potatoes on top.
- Use a fork to “rake” lines into the mashed potatoes.
Broil
- Set the oven rack about 5 inches away from the broiler. Set to a high broil, 550 degrees.
- Broil for about 5 minutes watch it after 2 minutes, it will go from perfectly browned to burned quickly.
- Remove from heat and serve.
Notes
If you prefer to double this recipe, bake in a 9 x 13 casserole dish or use a wide (12-inch), oven safe skillet on the stove and transfer to the oven.
Using Store-Bought or Instant Potatoes If you're not up for making homemade mashed potatoes, 3 cups of store bough or instant mashed potatoes may be used for an easy shortcut!
Nutrition
This shepherd’s pie recipe is absolutely delicious. This is my fourth time making and every time the kids love it. Thank you for sharing your recipe with us. I love little brown that it gets on top when it goes into the oven.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Yessss, that little brown is perfect! I’m so happy the kiddos are enjoying this one too, thanks so much for the great review Marva!💖
Was surprised how tasty this recipe was… definitely making this again.
Thanks so much for the great review, I’m so happy you liked it!💕
Excellent used meat loaf mix of beef and heinz savory beef jar gravy. Had the second night with more gravy around the sides. My husband loves it.
I’m so happy this was a success Karen! Thanks so much for the great review!💗
Perfect! Made it ahead of time so I popped in oven for about 20 minutes at 350 and then did a quick broil. Definitely will double next time
Happy to hear you enjoyed the Shepherd’s Pie Sheila, thanks so much for taking the time to comment and leave a review!😀
This was ridiculously delicious, the kids loved this! I used a McCormick brown gravy packet with 1 cup of water instead of the 1 1/2 it called for & a package of the premade mashed potatoes from Costco, worked out perfect. I did bake for 30 minutes at 350 to heat the whole thing up. Super easy comfort food, thank you.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it Stephanie and I love the shortcuts that you used, nicely done! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it! 🙂 -Stephanie
It is sooooo easy and soooo delicious! My husband raved and raved about this! Going to make again! I used boxed mashed potatoes and they were light and fluffy and made this probably the easiest and best meal!
I’m so happy you had an easy, yummy meal with this one Dawn! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave such great comments!💗
I made this tonight for dinner and it was very good. I did bake it in the oven for about 20-25 min at 375, instead of putting it under the broiler and I did add a layer of cheese. I would definitely make this again!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the Shepherd’s Pie Doreen, thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!😃
made this awsome
Wahooo! Thanks so much Helen!💗
Pure comfort food. I subbed beef broth for chicken broth. It came out way to dry. So, I added about 3 cups of water to get the consistency I wanted. And, I put some Colby Jack in the mashed potatoes. All the other shepherd’s pie recipes I’ve tried had a lot of spice in them. After an exhausting week, this was perfect.
Yummm, so colby jack in the mashed is a great idea! Happy to hear you enjoyed it all Karen!💗
This is mine and my boyfriend’s go to recipe when we want something fast, hearty and delicious. This hits the spot every time! Yum!
I’m so happy you and your boyfriend are enjoying this one Stacy, thanks so much for the great review!💗