This shepherd’s pie with ground beef is a cozy, family-style dinner made with seasoned beef, vegetables, savory gravy, mashed potatoes, and a layer of melted cheddar cheese. It is simple, filling, and a great way to turn basic ingredients into a comfort food meal.
Shepherd’s pie is traditionally made with lamb, while cottage pie is traditionally made with beef. But in many home kitchens, this ground beef version is commonly searched for and served as shepherd’s pie. Either way, it is the same kind of hearty baked meat-and-potatoes dinner people are looking for.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with ground beef instead of lamb.
- Uses simple freezer and pantry ingredients.
- Has a thick savory gravy, not a dry filling.
- Topped with mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese.
- Works with leftover mashed potatoes.
- Family-friendly and easy to make ahead.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef: Lean ground beef works best so the filling does not become greasy.
- Onion and garlic: Build the base flavor for the meat filling.
- Flour: Thickens the gravy.
- Beef broth: Creates the savory sauce.
- Ketchup and Worcestershire sauce: Add depth, tang, and richness.
- Frozen mixed vegetables: Add directly to the filling; no need to cook separately if the casserole bakes before broiling.
- Mashed potatoes: Homemade or leftover mashed potatoes both work.
- Cheddar cheese: Optional, but adds flavor under the potato topping.
How to Make Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef
- Make the mashed potatoes. Prepare the mashed potatoes and set them aside.
- Cook the beef filling. Sauté the onion and garlic, then add the ground beef and cook until browned.
- Make the gravy. Stir in the flour, ketchup, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce, then simmer until thickened.
- Add the vegetables. Stir the vegetables into the beef mixture, or layer them over the filling in the baking dish.
- Assemble the casserole. Add the beef mixture to the baking dish, sprinkle with cheese, and spread the mashed potatoes over the top.
- Bake and broil. Bake until hot and bubbling, then broil briefly to brown the mashed potato topping.
If using frozen vegetables, make sure the casserole bakes until the filling is hot and bubbling before broiling the top.
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Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef
Description
This shepherd’s pie with ground beef has a savory beef and vegetable filling, rich gravy, melted cheddar cheese, and creamy mashed potatoes baked until hot and golden.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ – 2 lbs. lean ground beef, preferably 85/15 or 90/10
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 package frozen mixed veggies (corn, carrots and green beans)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 6 oz)
- 4–5 cups prepared mashed potatoes, from about 2 lbs. russet potatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Prepare mashed potatoes and set aside.
- Add oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 4–5 minutes, until softened. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Sprinkle flour over the beef and stir to coat. Cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in ketchup, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook 5–10 minutes, until the gravy thickens.
- Stir in the frozen vegetables.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the filling.
- Spread mashed potatoes over the top.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the filling is hot and bubbling.
- Broil for 2–5 minutes, until the mashed potatoes are lightly golden. Let rest 10–15 minutes before serving.
Shepherd’s Pie FAQ
Can shepherd’s pie be made with ground beef?
Yes. Traditional shepherd’s pie is made with lamb, but many American versions use ground beef. Technically, the beef version is cottage pie, but it is commonly searched for and served as shepherd’s pie with ground beef.
Do I need to cook the frozen vegetables first?
No, but they should be heated through in the casserole. For best results, add the frozen vegetables to the hot beef filling or bake the assembled dish until the filling is bubbling before broiling the potatoes.
Can I use leftover mashed potatoes?
Yes. Leftover mashed potatoes work well and make this recipe faster. Warm them slightly before spreading so they are easier to smooth over the filling.
How do you keep shepherd’s pie from being runny?
Let the beef gravy simmer until thickened before assembling, and let the casserole rest for 10–15 minutes after baking so the filling can set.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate. Bake until heated through, then broil briefly to brown the mashed potato topping.
How many people does this recipe feed as presented?
I haven’t made this yet but I am a glass-half-full person so I am hoping for the best! My question is, how many people does this recipe feed as presented?
I have been using this recipe for years! I strayed once and tried something different but I will always come back to this. It is so simple yet so satisfying! I even have it saved on my Pinterest board with the old cast iron picture. LOVE IT!
Being an excellent cook and a previous restaurant owner, I gave this recipe a try. I tweaked just a few things, but give this a 5 * rating.
Do the veggies get cooked 1st? Or thawed?
The onions and garlic are sautéed first to soften, but the frozen veggies just go in frozen Cindy.
In modern day terms (last 150 years or so), this is actually ‘cottage pie’. Shepherd’s pie should have lamb in it.
Trolls will be trolls
I cooked my veggies first.
This was one of the easiest shepherds pie dinners I have made. I already had mashed potatoes (huge time saver). A tip if I may, let this cool at least 10 or 15 minutes before serving. It gives everything a chance to cool down and then it doesn’t run all over your plate. Great recipe deb!
The veggies aren’t cooked they’re frozen so I’m confused why you’re not cooking them ?
They get cooked in the oven
It’s called an oven