Name: Irish Shepherd’s Pie with Colcannon Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes; 6 ounces Irish butter; ¾ cup whole milk or heavy cream; 2 leeks, sliced; 1 clove garlic, minced; ½ head Savoy cabbage, shredded (about 3 cups); Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 2 pounds 90 to 95% lean ground beef; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; ½ onion, diced; 2 stalks celery, chopped; 2 carrots, diced; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 tablespoons flour; ½ cup dry sherry or red wine; 1 cup beef stock; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; ¾ cup fresh or frozen peas; ¼ teaspoon paprika

If you’re craving something hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor, you’re going to love this Irish Shepherd’s Pie with Colcannon Mashed Potatoes Recipe. This isn’t your everyday Shepherd’s Pie — the creamy, luscious colcannon mashed potatoes on top bring an authentic Irish twist that elevates it to a whole new level. When I first tried this recipe, I was blown away by how the cabbage and leeks in the mash add such a cozy, earthy richness that pairs perfectly with the savory beef filling below. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become a staple in your meal rotation too.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Authentic Irish Flair: The colcannon mashed potatoes blend traditional cabbage and leeks, giving this pie a genuine Irish soul.
Hearty and Satisfying: With lean ground beef and rich veggies in a luscious gravy, it’s the ultimate comfort meal.
Family-Friendly: Everyone from kids to adults loves it, and it’s perfect for busy weeknights or weekend dinners alike.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare it in stages or freeze leftovers — making life easier during hectic days.

A round black pan contains a layered shepherd's pie with the top layer of mashed potatoes showing a golden-brown baked crust with some green herbs mixed in and lightly browned spots all over. The middle layer is rich ground meat cooked with small pieces of mixed vegetables like green peas, orange carrots, and yellow corn. One portion is scooped out, revealing the layers clearly inside the pan. The pan sits on a wooden surface with a yellow and orange kitchen cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Irish Shepherd’s Pie with Colcannon Mashed Potatoes, Irish Shepherd’s Pie, hearty Irish savory pie, traditional Irish comfort food, shepherd’s pie with colcannon mash

Ingredients You’ll Need

All these ingredients come together so well, balancing creamy mashed potatoes with a lush, savory beef layer. Using Yukon Gold potatoes helps the colcannon mash stay wonderfully smooth, while the mix of veggies adds amazing depth. When possible, I like to use Irish butter and fresh leeks to really boost the flavors.

Flat lay of two whole Yukon gold potatoes with smooth yellow skins, a small pile of chopped pale green Savoy cabbage leaves, a few slender sliced pale green leeks, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of rich creamy whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl of golden Irish butter cubes, a small mound of diced bright orange carrots, a handful of chopped fresh green celery stalks, a small pile of diced white onion, a small white ceramic bowl of bright red tomato paste, a small white ceramic bowl of golden brown Worcestershire sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of dark ruby dry sherry, a small white ceramic bowl of deep brown beef stock, a small heap of fresh green peas, a small white ceramic bowl of pale beige all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of dried thyme leaves, a small white ceramic bowl of vibrant red paprika powder, a few garlic cloves with white papery skins, and two whole uncracked brown eggs, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Irish Shepherd’s Pie with Colcannon Mashed Potatoes, Irish Shepherd’s Pie, hearty Irish savory pie, traditional Irish comfort food, shepherd’s pie with colcannon mash

Yukon gold potatoes: Perfect for mashing — they’re creamy yet hold shape nicely with the cabbage and leeks.
Irish butter: Adds that extra richness and authentic buttery flavor that makes colcannon special.
Whole milk or heavy cream: Use whichever you prefer for extra creamy mashed potatoes.
Leeks: Mild, sweet onions that blend beautifully with the cabbage in the Colcannon.
Garlic: Adds subtle warmth but doesn’t overpower this dish.
Savoy cabbage: Its tender texture keeps the colcannon from becoming heavy.
Ground beef (90-95% lean): Lean enough to prevent excess grease but still juicy and flavorful.
Unsalted butter: For sautéing your veggies to bring out their natural sweetness.
Onion, celery, carrots: Classic mirepoix for a rich, layered flavor in the pie filling.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to brighten every component.
Dried thyme: Adds earthiness to the meat filling that complements the potatoes perfectly.
Tomato paste: Brings deep umami and a touch of sweetness to the sauce.
Flour: Helps thicken that luscious beef gravy.
Dry sherry or red wine: Deglazes the pan and adds complexity. I prefer sherry for a richer finish.
Beef stock: Builds the heart of the savory sauce.
Worcestershire sauce: Gives a punch of tang and umami that’s addictive.
Fresh or frozen peas: A sweet pop that contrasts so nicely with the savory meat.
Paprika: Just a sprinkle on top gives the finished pie a lovely warmth and color.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Irish Shepherd’s Pie with Colcannon Mashed Potatoes Recipe is how easily it adapts. Over time, I’ve played around with tweaks to suit both what I have on hand and my family’s taste preferences. Feel free to customize it based on your mood or dietary needs!

Variation: Swap ground lamb for beef for a more traditional shepherd’s pie experience — my family really enjoys the richer flavor lamb brings.
Dairy-Free: Use olive oil or a plant-based butter substitute and a dairy-free milk alternative to make this recipe suitable for those avoiding dairy.
Extra Veggies: Toss in mushrooms or parsnips for added earthiness and texture — I add mushrooms when I want a boost of umami.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika for some warmth if you like a little heat.

How to Make Irish Shepherd’s Pie with Colcannon Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Step 1: Make the Colcannon Mashed Potatoes

Start by peeling and boiling the Yukon gold potatoes until they’re tender, about 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, sauté the sliced leeks, shredded Savoy cabbage, and minced garlic in Irish butter until they’re soft and fragrant. Then mash the cooked potatoes together with the sautéed veggies, Irish butter, and your choice of whole milk or cream. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. I find warming the milk first helps the mash stay silky smooth — little tricks like that make all the difference!

Step 2: Prepare the Beef Filling

Heat a large skillet over medium and cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, then remove it and drain any excess grease. In the same pan, melt butter and cook diced onions until lightly browned, then add chopped celery and carrots. Season everything with salt, dried thyme, and pepper — this base layer really builds your flavor. Add tomato paste and cook it for a couple of minutes to deepen the taste, followed by flour to help thicken the sauce.

Step 3: Build the Sauce and Combine

Deglaze the pan with dry sherry or red wine, scraping up every bit of the brown bits — this is where the magic happens. Add beef stock and Worcestershire sauce, then return the cooked beef to the pan. Let everything simmer until the sauce thickens nicely, about 5 minutes. Stir in peas for a burst of sweetness. This mixture should be rich and spoonable but not too runny.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Transfer the beef filling to a 2-quart casserole dish, then spoon generous dollops of the colcannon mashed potatoes on top. Spread them evenly, making sure the potatoes touch the edges—this helps prevent the filling from bubbling over. Use the back of a spoon or spatula to create swirls or score a diagonal pattern on top, then sprinkle a light dusting of paprika. Bake at 350°F for about 45 minutes, until the top is slightly golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Let it rest a bit – this helps the layers set and makes serving easier.

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Pro Tips for Making Irish Shepherd’s Pie with Colcannon Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Use Yukon Gold Potatoes: They give you a creamy but sturdy mash that stands up well to baking with the cabbage and leeks.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When sautéing veggies, give them space to brown rather than steam — it amps up the flavor.
Deglaze Thoroughly: Scrape up those sticky bits when adding sherry or wine; it’s the key to deep, savory sauce.
Let It Rest Before Serving: This helps everything set, so your pie slices beautifully without falling apart.

How to Serve Irish Shepherd’s Pie with Colcannon Mashed Potatoes Recipe

The image shows a blue plate with a serving of shepherd’s pie and a fresh salad. The shepherd’s pie has two main layers: the bottom layer is a mix of minced meat with small orange carrot cubes and green peas, appearing rich and hearty, while the top layer is a golden-yellow mashed potato crust with bits of browned cheese in some areas, giving it a slightly textured look. Next to the pie is a colorful salad made from green romaine lettuce leaves, white onion strips, and small yellow and red cherry tomatoes, adding freshness and brightness. A silver fork sits on the right side of the plate. Behind the plate, there is a round baking dish with more shepherd’s pie visible. The setting rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Irish Shepherd’s Pie with Colcannon Mashed Potatoes, Irish Shepherd’s Pie, hearty Irish savory pie, traditional Irish comfort food, shepherd’s pie with colcannon mash

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives over the finished pie; it adds a hint of freshness and a pop of color. Sometimes, I dust a little extra smoked paprika right before serving to enhance the warmth of the flavors — little details that guests notice and appreciate.

Side Dishes

While this pie is pretty much a meal on its own, I often pair it with a simple mixed green salad dressed lightly with lemon and olive oil to balance the richness. Steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts also complement it nicely, giving some crisp texture alongside the creamy potatoes.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve made individual servings in ramekins for a charming personal touch. Also, after baking, broiling the tops for a minute or two gives a beautiful golden crust that’s irresistible. If you’re feeling fancy, drizzle a little caramelized onion gravy on top right before serving — total crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cool any leftovers to room temperature before covering tightly and refrigerating — it stays delicious for up to 3 days. When reheating, I find covering it loosely with foil helps keep the potatoes from drying out.

Freezing

This recipe freezes wonderfully! I recommend freezing in portions so you can thaw just what you need. Make sure to wrap the dish tightly or use freezer-safe containers. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers covered in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 20-30 minutes depending on portion size. I avoid microwaving since it can dry out the mash, but if short on time, reheat gently covered and add a splash of milk to restore creaminess.

FAQs

Can I use ground lamb instead of beef?

Absolutely! Using ground lamb gives this dish a more traditional shepherd’s pie taste. Just ensure the lamb is trimmed of excess fat to avoid a greasy filling. The cooking process stays the same.
What makes colcannon mashed potatoes different from regular mashed potatoes?

Colcannon combines mashed potatoes with sautéed cabbage and leeks, giving the mash a layered texture and subtle sweetness that regular mashed potatoes don’t have. This Irish twist adds incredible flavor and moisture to the topping.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can make both the filling and colcannon mashed potatoes in advance, then assemble and bake when ready. Just keep the components refrigerated separately to maintain freshness.
How do I store leftovers to keep the mashed potatoes creamy?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat covered. If the potatoes seem dry, whisk in a splash of warm milk or cream while reheating to bring back creaminess.

Final Thoughts

This Irish Shepherd’s Pie with Colcannon Mashed Potatoes Recipe has become a personal favorite and a family classic in my kitchen. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug after a long day – satisfying, rich, and bursting with comforting flavor. If you love meals that bring tradition and creativity to your table, you really should give this one a try. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making it as much as eating it!