Easy Ground Beef Shepherds Pie Recipe: A Homemade Classic

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Nothing says cozy comfort food quite like a warm, homemade shepherd’s Pie! This easy shepherd’s pie recipe using ground beef is packed with hearty flavors—savory beef, tender vegetables, and a rich, flavorful sauce, all topped with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes.

It’s the kind of meal that fills your home with delicious aromas and brings everyone to the table!

Shepherds pie beef and mashed potatoes.

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A Family Favorite Classic Dish

Comfort food…ahhh!

Hot, cozy soups, warm casseroles, savory meat pies…these are usually recipes that get me through the winter.

But a tasty shepherd’s pie is my favorite comfort food for spring. (But don’t let that keep you from making it year-round!)

I’ve always loved classic shepherd’s pie made with ground lamb. But let’s be honest—lean ground beef is much more budget-friendly and tastes just as yummy when you use the right spices. My family loves it, too! 

In fact, we’ve recently started a Sunday night Supper Club. Between my husband, my two adult daughters, and me, we each take a turn making dinner on Sunday night. It’s such a fun time when we can all get together.

A table place setting with layered plates, cutlery, and a napkin.

My last venture was bringing back Shepherd’s Pie to the table, and my family loved it as much as when I used to make it years ago.

This easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe is pure comfort food—warm, hearty, and packed with flavor. The meat mixture is rich and savory, topped with a layer of fluffy mashed potatoes, and finished with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. It’s the ultimate comfort food!

​Shepherds Pie Ingredient List

This ingredient list might seem a little long. But these items are almost always in my pantry, cupboard, and fridge. Love it when I don’t have to run to the grocery store!

Ingredients for a beef Shepherds pie to include potatoes, onion, chicken broth, frozen peas, frozen corn, carrots, worcestershire sauce, ground beef and fresh rosemary.

For the Mashed Potato Topping:

  • 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
  • 1/4 cup half-and-half
  • 2 ounces unsalted butter
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, for sprinkling on top

For the Meat Filling:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced small
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons freshly chopped rosemary leaves
  • 1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen English peas

How to Make Shepherds Pie with Ground Beef

Prepare the Mashed Potatoes:

  1. Place the diced russet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer until tender, about 10-15 minutes.
  2. While the potatoes cook, heat the half-and-half and butter in the microwave until warm, about 35 seconds.
  3. Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash with a potato masher until smooth. Stir in the half-and-half mixture, salt, black pepper, and egg yolk until well combined.
Boiling potatoes in a pot for shepherds pie with beef.
Mixing half and half together with butter.
Two egg yolks in a glass dish.

The egg yolks give the potatoes such yummy richness!

Mixing mashed poatoes for the shepherd's pie with beef.

Make the Meat Filling:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrots, sautéing until they begin to soften, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic.
  3. Add the ground beef, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 3 minutes. Drain any excess beef fat.
  4. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to coat the ground beef mixture. Cook for another minute.
  5. Stir in the tomato paste, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Add the rosemary and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat and let simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 10-12 minutes.
  6. Stir in the corn and peas, then transfer the meat mixture to an 11×7-inch casserole dish, spreading it in an even layer.
Cooking onions and carrots in olive oil.
Add ground beef to the shepherd's pie mixture.
Sprinkling flour over the beef mixture for a shepherds pie.
Adding worcestershire sauce to the shepherds pie ground beef mixture.
Sprinkling fresh rosemary on top of ground beef mixture for shepherd's pie.
Adding frozen corn and frozen peas to shepherds pie beef mixture.

Assemble & Bake:

  1. Spread the mashed potatoes over the meat filling, smoothing it out and sealing the edges.
  2. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top of the mashed potatoes.
  3. Place the baking dish on a parchment-lined sheet pan and bake for 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
  4. Let the whole casserole rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Spreading mashed potatoes on top of beef mixture of shepherd's pie.
Smoothing mashed potatoes on top of shepherds pie.

It smells so good when it comes out of the oven!

A shepherd's pie made with ground beef fresh from the oven in a white casserole dish.

Shepherds Pie with Ground Beef

This easy shepherd’s pie recipe is a classic comfort food made with lean ground beef, a rich savory gravy, and a fluffy mashed potato topping. Enhanced with smoked paprika and fresh herbs, this dish is packed with flavor and perfect for a cozy family dinner. It’s budget-friendly, great for meal prep, and can be frozen for an easy meal later. Serve with your favorite vegetables for a well-rounded, satisfying meal!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine English
Servings 8 people
Calories 470 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large pot
  • 1 potato masher
  • 1 microwave safe container
  • 1 large saute pan
  • 1 Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • 1 cutting board
  • 1 knife
  • 1 baking dish, 11 x 17
  • 1 rubber spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1/4 cup half and half
  • 2 oz unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Meat Filling

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup onion, chopped
  • 1 carrots, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1/2 cup corn, frozen or fresh
  • 1/2 cup peas, frozen or fresh

Instructions
 

  • Boil peeled and diced russet potatoes in a large pot with cold water until fork-tender (10-15 minutes). Drain and return to the pot.
  • Heat half-and-half and butter in a microwave-safe container until warm (about 35 seconds). Mash the potatoes, then mix in the half-and-half mixture, salt, black pepper, parmesan cheese and egg yolk until smooth and fluffy. Set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté onion and carrots for 3-4 minutes, then add garlic and cook for another minute.
  • Brown the ground beef in the onion/carrot mixture, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
  • Sprinkle flour over the beef mixture and stir. Add tomato paste, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, rosemary, and thyme. Simmer for 10-12 minutes until thickened.
  • Stir in corn and peas, then remove from heat.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread meat filling in an even layer in an 11×7-inch baking dish. Spoon mashed potatoes over the top, sealing edges and smoothing with a spatula. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
  • Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Keyword shepherds pie beef, easy shepherds pie recipe, easy casseroles

How Did Shepherd’s Pie Get Its Name?

Traditional shepherd’s pie was originally made with ground lamb, hence the name “shepherd’s” pie. When made with ground beef, it’s technically called cottage pie. However, in many households, both versions are referred to as shepherd’s pie.

Shepherds pie on a dinner plate with a spinach salad.

How to Freeze Shepherd’s Pie

This is a fantastic recipe for meal prep! To freeze, let the Shepherd’s Pie cool completely. Cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.

How to Reheat Shepherd’s Pie in the Oven

The easiest way to reheat Shepherd’s Pie is in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove any plastic wrap and cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until heated through.

 If reheating from frozen, bake for about 60 minutes.

What to Serve with Shepherd’s Pie

This hearty, savory pie pairs well with simple sides like green beans, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. The great thing about this classic dish is that it’s a complete meal on its own, but a little bit of extra veggies never hurts!

Here is what I served with our shepherd’s pie for our family Sunday Night Supper Club!

Easy Bruschetta Recipe – Sometimes you just want a little “crisp” to go with a casserole. This bruschetta recipe adds a flavorful crunch to the meal and is so easy to make!

Broccoli Grape Salad – This salad is loaded with healthy fruits and vegetables and is so tasty when served with shepherd’s pie!

Bringing Back the Classics

This classic shepherd’s pie recipe is a fantastic recipe to bring back to the dinner table!

Whether you’re making it for a Sunday night Supper Club like me, a cozy family dinner, or a meal prep option for the week, this dish delivers on flavor and comfort. The combination of a rich meat filling, fluffy mashed potatoes, and that little bit of Parmesan cheese on top makes every bite irresistible!

Shepherd's pie with beef, corn, and peas on a dinner plate.

Next time you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food, give this easy shepherd’s pie recipe a try. It just might become a new favorite in your home!

Let me know in the comments if you try it!

Cheers!

hi! I’m missy. so nice to meet you!

“Decorate with Joy! Live with Happiness!”

I truly believe that your home should be a reflection of your personality, a space where you feel free to express yourself and create a sanctuary that feels uniquely yours.

I love creating mood boards, hunting down unique home décor treasures, tackling easy DIY projects, and gathering with family and friends for a delicious meal.

Homes are meant to be enjoyed, filled with laughter, and shared with the people you love!

– cheers! –

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Easy Shepherds Pie beef and potatoes

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I love shepherd’s pie, and this recipe looks delicious! My family has also been having Sunday evening dinners, and we will have to try this dish soon! The suggested sides also look wonderful!

  2. This looks delicious! I have all of the ingredients on hand and might make this tonight. I love the idea of a family supper club! Wish my kiddos lived close enough to do this.

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