Homemade Shepherd’s Pie

Make the ultimate comfort food for your family: Homemade Shepherd’s Pie (or Cottage Pie) with ground beef (or lamb!) – simple, yummy, and easy to make. This hearty dish is perfect for a cozy evening or a special St. Patrick’s Day treat.

Why You’ll Love This Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

• Delicious Filling: A rich, savory filling with lots of gravy, topped with a fluffy layer of mashed potatoes.
• Perfect for Cold Nights: Ideal for a cozy evening or a special St. Patrick’s Day treat.
• Versatile: Use ground beef or lamb, and customize with your favorite vegetables.
• Easy to Make Ahead: Prepare in advance and reheat when needed, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

• Ground beef or lamb
• Beef broth
• Oil
• Red wine
• Flour
• Tomato paste
• Onions
• Garlic
• Carrots
• Celery
• Peas
• Herbs (thyme, rosemary, bay leaves)
• Cheddar cheese
• Salt
• Pepper
• Ground paprika

Ingredient Notes

• Wine: You can skip the wine and use more broth instead. A dry red wine like Merlot or Pinot Noir is great. Avoid cooking wine if possible, as it can affect the flavor.
• Tomato paste: Can also use ketchup instead if you don’t have tomato paste.
• Mashed potatoes: I usually make my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes for this, but regular mashed potatoes are delicious too. You can also use ready-made mashed potatoes for a quick shortcut.
• Allergy friendliness: For a gluten-free version, use cornstarch in place of the flour. Ensure all ingredients are gluten-free, especially the beef broth.
• Vegetable substitutes: If you don’t like peas, it’s also delicious with chopped green beans.
• Low carb option: Use mashed cauliflower whisked with 1 egg yolk in place of the mashed potatoes.
• Vegetarian option: Use 2 cups of cooked brown lentils in place of the ground beef and vegetable broth in place of the beef broth.

Beef or Lamb?

The technical term for this recipe is actually cottage pie (made with ground beef) and not authentic shepherd’s pie (made with ground lamb). However, this version is simple, affordable, and delicious. Feel free to use ground lamb for a more authentic version! Lamb tends to be more fatty, so drain it after browning if you prefer less fat.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Brown the Ground Beef:
   • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
   • Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
   • Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Sauté the Vegetables:
   • Add diced onions, garlic, carrots, and celery to the skillet.
   • Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add Seasoning and Flour:
   • Stir in flour, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and paprika.
   • Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
4. Deglaze the Pan:
   • Pour in the red wine and cook until the liquid has mostly evaporated.
5. Add Broth and Herbs:
   • Stir in the beef broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
   • Add the peas and bring the mixture to a simmer.
   • Cook until the sauce has thickened, about 10-15 minutes.
6. Cool the Filling:
   • Transfer the filling to a casserole dish and let it cool for 15-30 minutes. This step is crucial to prevent the layers from mixing.
7. Top with Mashed Potatoes:
   • Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the cooled filling.
   • Use a fork to create a textured surface for better browning.
8. Add Cheese and Bake:
   • Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of the mashed potatoes.
   • Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Recipe Tips

• Brown the meat and vegetables well for the most intense flavors.
• Do not skip cooling the filling to keep the layers in shepherd’s pie from mixing.
• Customize the vegetables based on your preferences. Green beans, corn, or mushrooms can be great additions.
• Make ahead by assembling the pie and refrigerating it for up to 3 days before baking.

Shepherd’s Pie FAQs

What’s the difference between cottage pie and shepherd’s pie? The main difference is the meat: Shepherd’s pie uses ground lamb, cottage pie uses ground beef. In America, the term Shepherd’s pie has commonly been adopted for the version made with ground beef.

Can you eat shepherd’s pie the next day? Yes, if you keep it in the fridge, shepherd’s pie keeps well for up to 3 days. Just reheat it until piping hot all the way through and serve.

How do you reheat Shepherd’s pie?

• Oven: Reheat the leftovers at 350°F (175°C) until piping hot all the way through (this will take 15-30 minutes, depending on how much of the pie you are reheating). If you’re re-heating leftovers, I recommend transferring them to a clean baking dish to avoid food burnt into the dish.
• Microwave: Make sure you put the pie in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave in 30-second bursts until piping hot all the way through. Check the pie in between (careful, it can get hot!) and stir a little to make the food heat evenly.

Make Ahead Instructions

Assemble the entire pie as directed in the recipe, right up to the final baking step. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days, then bake at 400°F (200°C) for 30-40 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the top is golden.

Freezer Instructions

Prepare as directed in the recipe, right up to the final baking step. Wrap well with foil and then aluminum foil. Label and freeze for up to 2 months.

To reheat: No need to defrost! Remove both foils, then replace the aluminum foil. Bake at 400°F (200°C) with the foil on for 1 hour. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until browned.

Serving Suggestions

As a casserole, this is generally an all-in-one meal I often serve pretty much by itself. Sometimes I’ll make sautéed green beans or crockpot glazed carrots on the side, especially if it’s a holiday or we have family over.

A nice green salad is also a good side. I make mine with a homemade honey mustard dressing – so good!

Why I Love Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie is the ultimate comfort food to me. It reminds me of working in a pub after finishing high school, it reminds me of my late British grandma, and it reminds me how much better it is to spend St. Patrick’s Day at home vs at a party, haha!

While, admittedly, this IS a bit more work than something like a one-pot pasta or a throw-together casserole… It’s still fairly simple for such a hearty and traditional meal.

AND, you can always make double and freeze one for an easy meal later – freezer instructions are included in the recipe notes below. Enjoy!

Enjoy this delicious and comforting Homemade Shepherd’s Pie with your family!

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