roasting the best shepherds pie, roasted carrots and onion with herbs on top and then golden mashed potatoes with gravy underneath in a white roasting dish.
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Unveil the secrets of the Best Ever Shepherd’s Pie Recipe, a heartwarming dish that elevates your easy dinner and meal ideas into cherished family moments.

This kid-friendly comfort food casserole dinner combines lean ground beef with savory veggies and creamy mashed potatoes, creating a dish that’s both nutritious and indulgently delicious.

I’m so excited to share this comforting shepherd’s pie recipe straight from my mum’s kitchen. It’s the kind of hearty, easy homemade dinner that brings everyone to the table- and it just might become your new family favorite.

Welcome to a world of comfort and joy with our Best Ever Shepherd’s Pie Recipe. This beloved dish blends the richness of lean ground beef with the hearty flavors of carrots, peas, and a creamy mashed potato topping, offering a complete meal in one delicious package.

What makes this pie exceptional is its perfect blend of convenience and taste—

Curious about the history of Shepherd’s Pie? This article delves into its origins and how it became a beloved comfort food.

Suggested Side Dishes:

  • Broccoli: Steamed lightly with a dash of lemon juice for a refreshing touch.
  • Asparagus: Roasted with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt and cracked pepper to enhance its natural flavor.
  • Green Beans: Sautéed with garlic and a hint of butter for a simple yet delicious accompaniment.
  • Cauliflower Cheese: A family favorite!

Tips for Making Perfect Shepherd’s Pie:

  • Get those arm muscles going when you mash those potatoes! A sturdy masher is essential here and a good amount of butter or olive oil☺️ Once you think you’re done mashing.. mash for another minute get those spuds creamy and fluffy!
  • When your breaking up the meat give it a little twist action with your wooden spoon!
    It’s the easiest to way to break up the beef to nice bites size chunks an incorporates your veggies perfectly at the same time.
  • If you choose to use Lamb I recommend adding mint sauce to your meat! *see notes below

Essentials you’ll Need:

Discover the Best Ever Shepherd's Pie Recipe: Easy, Kid-Friendly Dinner Delight
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Discover the Best Ever Shepherd’s Pie Recipe: Easy, Kid-Friendly Dinner Delight

Recipe by Adrianne ReevesCourse: DinnerDifficulty: Moderate
Servings

6-8

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

2

hours 

10

minutes
Calories

450

kcal

Savor the best ever, kid-friendly Shepherd’s Pie Recipe—an easy dinner that’s destined to delight the entire family

Things you need

  • Meat:

  • 2 to 2.5 lbs of lean ground beef

  • Dairy:

  • ¼ to ½ cup butter

  • ¼ cup cream or milk

  • Produce:

  • 1 large yellow or white onion, diced small

  • 2 large carrots, peeled and diced small

  • ½ cup peas or corn (optional; see notes for frozen)

  • 2.5-3 lbs of potatoes, preferably yellow flesh for fluffiness but russets work too!

  • Spices:

  • 2 tsp onion powder

  • 2 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp thyme

  • 1 tsp pepper

  • 1 tsp salt

  • Other:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons Bisto thickener with ¼ cup bone broth (or favorite gravy thickener)

  • Condiments:

  • 1 cup beef bone broth or beef stock

  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce


Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Prepare Vegetables: Dice the onion and carrots, then toss with olive oil, thyme, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Layering: In a large, deep round baking dish (2.5L with lid), spread the ground beef evenly across the bottom and gently pat it down. Spread the onion and carrot mixture over the beef without mixing.
  • Bake: Place in the oven on the middle rack for 45 minutes.
  • Mix and Season: Remove the dish from the oven and stir everything together thoroughly, breaking up the firm beef. Add Worcestershire sauce and mix well.
  • Continue Baking: Cover and return to the oven for another 30 minutes.
  • Boil Potatoes: Peel, dice, and boil potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain, then mash with butter and cream until smooth.
  • Prepare Broth Mixture: Mix Bisto thickener with ¼ cup of bone broth, then add to the beef mixture, add the remainder of the broth and combine until smooth. Return to the oven with the lid on for another 20 minutes. If using frozen peas or corn, add them now.
  • Finalize Dish: Place the dish on a roasting pan to catch any overflow as you spread mashed potatoes over the beef mixture. Add extra knobs of butter on top for a golden finish.
  • Finish Baking: Bake without the lid for 20 minutes until the potatoes are golden brown.
  • Rest and Serve: Allow the dish to rest for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • If using lamb, add ¼ cup mint sauce and reduce bone broth by ¼ cup.
  • Frozen corn or peas: If cooking from frozen, add when you take the dish out to stir in onions and carrots.

Need a cozy breakfast after this hearty dinner? Try my best pancake recipe next!

Nutrition Information Approx.(Per Serving):

  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Protein: 25g

💛 Tried this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to click the Pinterest Save button to save it for later.