The short answer: Classic shepherd's pie is a baked casserole of ground lamb or beef in a savory gravy with vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes.
Our picks for shepherd's pie
Starter pickPrintables
Meal Planner & Grocery List
Weekly meals, a grocery list sorted by aisle, and pantry and freezer inventories so you shop once and waste less.
Printables
Family Recipe Binder
Section dividers, four recipe page layouts with room for the family story, 4x6 and 3x5 cards and a conversion chart - print it or type into the fillable version.
Save 38%Bundles
Holiday Season Bundle
Plan Christmas, save for it all year, and host without the January money hangover.
Brown 1½ pounds of ground meat with onion, carrots and garlic, stir in tomato paste, flour, 1 cup of broth and Worcestershire, simmer until thick, add peas, spread 4 cups of mashed potatoes on top and bake at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes. Below are the amounts, steps, make-ahead and freezing tips, and a Thanksgiving leftovers version.
I love cooking dinners like this one, where one dish covers the meat, the vegetables and the potatoes and the kitchen cleanup is short.
Shepherd's pie ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ground lamb or ground beef | 1½ pounds |
| Yellow onion, diced | 1 medium |
| Carrots, diced | 2 medium |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
| Tomato paste | 2 tablespoons |
| All-purpose flour | 2 tablespoons |
| Beef or chicken broth, low-sodium | 1 cup |
| Worcestershire sauce | 1 tablespoon |
| Dried thyme | 1 teaspoon |
| Frozen peas | 1 cup |
| Mashed potatoes (about 2½ pounds potatoes) | 4 cups |
| Shredded cheddar (optional) | ½ cup |
| Salt and pepper | to taste |
Makes one 9x13 or 3-quart dish, about 6 servings.
How to make shepherd's pie
- Make the potatoes. Boil peeled potatoes until tender and mash them with butter, milk and salt. Or use our mashed potatoes recipe. Short on time? Make pressure cooker mashed potatoes instead.
- Heat the oven. Preheat to 400°F.
- Brown the meat. Cook the meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up, until no pink remains. Drain extra fat.
- Add vegetables. Add the onion and carrots and cook 5 minutes, then the garlic for 1 minute.
- Make the gravy. Stir in the tomato paste and flour for 1 minute. Add the broth, Worcestershire and thyme and simmer 5 to 8 minutes until thick.
- Add the peas. Stir in the peas and season to taste. Spread the filling in the baking dish.
- Top. Spoon the potatoes around the edges, then the middle, and spread. Rough up the top with a fork and add cheese if you like.
- Bake. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until bubbling and golden. Rest 10 minutes before serving.
Shepherd's pie at a glance
| Step | Time | Done when |
|---|---|---|
| Boil and mash potatoes | 20 to 25 minutes | A fork slides through easily |
| Brown meat | 8 to 10 minutes | No pink; ground meat at 160°F |
| Simmer filling | 5 to 8 minutes | Gravy coats a spoon |
| Bake fresh | 20 to 25 minutes at 400°F | Edges bubble, top golden |
| Bake from fridge | 35 to 45 minutes at 400°F | Center reaches 165°F |
The FDA safe food handling chart lists 160°F for ground meat and 165°F for leftovers and casseroles.
Tips for the best shepherd's pie
- Thicken the filling well. A soupy filling makes the potatoes sink.
- Cool before topping. Ten minutes of cooling helps the potatoes sit on top.
- Brown the tomato paste. A minute in the pan deepens the flavor.
- Fork the top. Ridges in the potatoes get crispy and golden.
- Season with care. Broth and Worcestershire are salty. FDA puts the sodium Daily Value at less than 2,300 milligrams a day, so taste before adding salt.
Shepherd's pie variations
- Cottage pie: use ground beef in place of lamb.
- Turkey shepherd's pie: use leftover turkey and mashed potatoes, a great addition to our Thanksgiving leftovers meal plan.
- Sweet potato top: mash sweet potatoes for the topping.
- Lentil version: use 3 cups of cooked lentils instead of meat.
- Mini pies: bake in ramekins for 15 to 18 minutes.
For more comfort food, try our meatloaf recipe, beef stew and sheet pan dinners. For a quicker potato-topped bake, our tater tot casserole recipe swaps the mashed potatoes for crispy tots.
Make-ahead, leftovers and freezing
Assemble the pie up to a day ahead and bake it from the fridge. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, and most cooks use them within 3 to 4 days. Freeze the whole pie or portions for 2 to 3 months. Our freezer meals list has more dinners that freeze well.
Plan shepherd's pie night
Want the dedicated beef version? See cottage pie.
Shepherd's pie stretches a pound and a half of meat into six servings. Plan it next to a soup night so the leftover broth gets used.
- Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. A weekly dinner plan and an aisle-sorted grocery list.
- Family Recipe Binder, $6.99. Save your family's version of this casserole.
- Holiday Season Bundle, $15.99 (regularly $25.94 for the six items bought separately). Includes the Meal Planner & Grocery List for holiday hosting.
Browse the Home shop or read our ground beef dinner ideas and guide to meal planning on a budget.
Want a whole week of cold-weather meals? Pick from our fall dinner ideas.
Want a chicken version of a cozy pie? Try our chicken pot pie, with five topping options.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make shepherd's pie? To make shepherd's pie, brown ground lamb or beef with onion, carrots and garlic, stir in tomato paste, flour, broth and Worcestershire, and simmer until thick. Add peas, spread mashed potatoes on top, and bake at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes until golden.
What is the difference between shepherd's pie and cottage pie? Traditional shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb, while cottage pie is made with ground beef. In the United States, many families call both versions shepherd's pie.
Can you make shepherd's pie with ground beef? Yes, you can make shepherd's pie with ground beef. Ground beef is the most common choice in American kitchens and gives a hearty, budget-friendly filling. Use 85% lean beef and drain extra fat after browning.
What vegetables go in shepherd's pie? The classic vegetables are onion, carrots and peas. Celery, corn, green beans and mushrooms also work. Frozen mixed vegetables are a fast shortcut for busy nights.
How long do you bake shepherd's pie? Bake shepherd's pie at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes, until the filling bubbles at the edges and the potatoes are golden. If it was made ahead and chilled, bake it 35 to 45 minutes.
Do you cook the meat before making shepherd's pie? Yes, you cook the meat before making shepherd's pie. Brown the meat fully in a skillet first. FDA lists 160°F as the safe minimum internal temperature for ground meat, and browning it before baking makes sure it gets there.
How do you keep the mashed potato topping from sinking? Let the filling cool for 10 minutes and make sure it's thick, not soupy, before topping. Spoon the potatoes around the edges first, then fill the middle and spread gently.
Can you use instant or leftover mashed potatoes? Yes, you can use instant or leftover mashed potatoes on shepherd's pie. Leftover mashed potatoes make a great topping; stir in an egg yolk or a little cheese so they brown well. Instant potatoes work too for a quick weeknight version.
Can you make shepherd's pie ahead of time? Yes, you can make shepherd's pie ahead of time. Assemble it, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day, then bake it straight from the fridge for 35 to 45 minutes. Make sure the center reaches 165°F.
Can you freeze shepherd's pie? Yes, you can freeze shepherd's pie. Freeze the assembled or baked pie, tightly wrapped, for 2 to 3 months for best quality. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake until it's hot in the center.
How long does shepherd's pie last in the fridge? Shepherd's pie lasts 3 to 4 days in the fridge if you refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Reheat to 165°F, the temperature FDA lists for leftovers and casseroles.
What do you serve with shepherd's pie? Shepherd's pie is a complete meal, but a green salad, roasted green beans, steamed broccoli or crusty bread are easy sides. Our dinner rolls are a family favorite.
Can you add cheese to shepherd's pie? Yes, you can add cheese to shepherd's pie. Stir ½ cup of shredded cheddar into the mashed potatoes or sprinkle it over the top before baking for a cheesy, browned crust.
How do you make shepherd's pie with leftover turkey? Use about 3 cups of chopped cooked turkey in place of the ground meat, add it after the gravy thickens, and top with leftover mashed potatoes. It's an easy Thanksgiving leftovers dinner.
Sources
- FDA: Safe food handling fda.gov
- FDA: Sodium in your diet fda.gov