Description
This Easy Shepherd’s Pie is a comforting classic featuring a savory ground beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes and broiled to golden perfection. Perfect for a hearty family meal, it combines simple ingredients and straightforward steps to deliver rich flavors with a crispy, cheesy crust option.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Filling
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 rib celery, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb. ground beef (85% lean)
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup brown gravy (see notes)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
Topping
- 3 cups mashed potatoes (half batch homemade mashed potatoes)
- Optional: Cheddar cheese for layering
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Prepare a half batch of your homemade mashed potatoes to yield about 3 cups. While the potatoes boil, you can move on to preparing the filling.
- Prepare the Filling: Preheat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and celery and sauté for 3 minutes until slightly softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook the Beef: Increase the heat to high and add the ground beef to the pan. Cook while crumbling the meat until fully cooked through. Drain off any excess grease to avoid a greasy filling.
- Thicken the Filling: Reduce heat to medium-high. Sprinkle the flour over the meat mixture and toss to evenly coat. Stir in the tomato paste and dried thyme, cooking the mixture for 1-2 minutes to develop flavor.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken broth and use a silicone spatula to scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the pan. These bits add depth and flavor to the filling.
- Add Gravy and Vegetables: Stir in half of the brown gravy. Then add the frozen mixed vegetables and cook until heated through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Add more gravy to your preferred consistency if desired. Remove the filling from heat once well combined.
- Assemble the Pie: Transfer the filling to a lightly greased 9-inch pie pan or 7 x 11 casserole dish. Carefully spread the warm mashed potatoes on top of the filling evenly. Optionally, add a layer of cheddar cheese before the potatoes for extra cheesy flavor.
- Broil: Position the oven rack about 5 inches from the broiler and preheat to high broil (about 550°F). Broil the shepherd’s pie for approximately 5 minutes, checking closely after 2 minutes to prevent burning. The top should be nicely browned and slightly crispy.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool briefly before serving your delicious shepherd’s pie.
Notes
- You can use 1 packet of gravy mix to make 1 cup of brown gravy or prepare homemade brown gravy as per preference.
- For a cheesy twist, add a layer of cheddar cheese beneath the mashed potatoes before broiling.
- To double the recipe, use a 9 x 13 casserole dish or a wide 12-inch oven-safe skillet and increase cooking times accordingly.
