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A close-up of a rich and hearty Shepherd's Pie, showcasing the golden-brown mashed potato topping and savory ground beef filling.

Rich and Hearty Shepherd's Pie

A classic comfort food, this Shepherd's Pie features a rich ground beef filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: British
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Filling
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20 recommended
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping
  • 2 pounds potatoes peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup milk warm
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Saucepan
  • Potato masher
  • 9x13-inch baking dish

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Boil the potatoes in a saucepan of salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well.
  3. While potatoes boil, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain off excess fat.
  4. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute more.
  6. Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  7. Mash the drained potatoes with warm milk, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
  8. Pour the beef mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  9. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the beef mixture.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  11. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For an extra layer of flavor, you can add a tablespoon of flour to the beef mixture before adding the broth to help thicken the sauce.

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