Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

With a scrumptious cheesy mashed potato topping, this easy shepherds pie recipe is a hearty and tasty one-dish meal the whole family is going to love.

Slice of easy shepherds pie recipe.

I’ve spent the last two weeks perfecting this easy shepherd’s pie recipe. I had a few ideas for it and the first one I tried out, only a fourth of it got eaten. I made some tweaks and tried again the very next night. My son said “shepherd’s pie again?” and looked a little leary. Two helpings later he was smiling and telling me how good it was. The dish was practically licked clean with not a crumb left.

That is when I knew I had a winner! I mean, how could it not be when it includes a flavorful ground beef and vegetable pie, covered with a deliciously cheesy and creamy mashed potato topping? This easy shepherd’s pie recipe is quick to prep and then all you have to do is wait for it to bake in the oven. In less than an hour, this pure comfort food will be ready to serve to your hungry family for dinner!

I’ll get to the recipe in a minute but first I wanted to share something with you.

I know this is more of a cottage pie since it has ground beef and traditional shepherd’s pie has lamb, but where I live lamb doesn’t make an appearance too often and we always call this shepherd’s pie. Just call it whatever cranks your tractor and we’ll both be happy farmers.

Now let’s make shepherd’s pie!

Ingredients for easy shepherds pie recipe.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Cooked ground beef
  • French onion soup
  • Sour cream
  • Dry Italian seasoning
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Leftover mashed potatoes
  • Frozen mixed vegetables (I’m using the frozen peas, carrot, green beans, and corn mix)
  • Brown gravy mix

How To Make My Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Frozen vegetables in saucepot.

Place frozen vegetables in a medium saucepot and cover with water.

Put over medium-high heat. Bring just to a boil.

Drain vegetables.

Remove from heat and drain. Place veggies in a bowl to the side.

Place soup, gravy, and seasoning in same saucepot.

In that same saucepot, because there is no reason to dirty up another one, place the French onion soup, gravy mix, and dry Italian seasoning.

Bring gravy mix to a boil.

Stir that together well and cook over medium-high heat until well blended and heated through, about 5 minutes or so.

Or until you get tired of fooling with it 🙂

A lot of things in my kitchen are done on that kind of timescale “Until I get tired of fooling with it…” 

veggies and beef mixture for easy shepherds pie recipe.

Stir in your veggies and beef.

mix veggies and beef

Mix this meat mixture together well.

Place cheese, sour cream, and mashed potato in mixing bowl.

In a large bowl, place the leftover mashed potatoes, cheese, and sour cream.

stir up the potato mixture

Stir well to combine.

Top ground beef with mashed potatoes.

Spread the ground beef mixture into the bottom of an 8×8 baking dish and top with mashed potatoes.

Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of this easy shepherds pie recipe.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the mashed potato.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 for thirty minutes until the top is golden brown.

Easy shepherds pie recipe cooked

I told you this was an easy shepherd’s pie recipe. Enjoy!

Storage

Store pie leftovers, covered, in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply reheat in the microwave.

Recipe Notes

  • An instant potato packet will technically work in this easy shepherd’s pie recipe. Personally, I don’t ever use instant mashed potatoes to make actual potatoes. I use them as soup thickeners and crusts in casseroles, but that is because my mother always made homemade mashed potatoes so instant potatoes taste off to me. HOWEVER, if you like ’em, go for it and I’ll stand on the sidelines and cheer you all the way. Your kitchen = your rules, and don’t let anyone else tell you different! Another option for this, if you don’t want to do mashed potatoes, is to get a box of stovetop stuffing mix. Mix that up according to the package directions and just use it as a topping. I’d leave out the cheese but you can certainly include that if you like.
  • Don’t try to substitute the packet of dry brown gravy mix for canned gravy or actual gravy. This mix is actually going to act as a thickener for us and also lend a lot of great flavors to boot!
  • When it comes to the veggies for shepherd’s pie, get the mixed veggies with itty bitty cubed carrots. Some of them have big sliced carrots and these take ten forevers to cook so we want to avoid those.
  • If you don’t eat meat, substitute the ground meat for more vegetables or lentils.
  • On the other hand, feel free to substitute the ground beef or lamb for ground turkey.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this shepherd’s pie ahead of time?

Shepherd’s pie is a great make-ahead dinner. Assemble all of the ingredients but don’t place the dish in the oven. Once cooled, either cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days or place it in the freezer. If refrigerating, just make sure you take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before baking.

You may also enjoy these other recipes:

Sweet Potato Dumplings; Heaven on a plate!

Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe Sooo Easy

Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe Freezer Friendly!

Shepherds Pie Slice

Easy Shepherd’s Pie

With a scrumptious cheesy mashed potato topping, this easy shepherd's pie recipe is a delicious and hearty one-dish meal that will have your family coming back for seconds and maybe even thirds!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: mashedpotatoes, pie
Servings: 4
Calories: 460.8kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cooked ground beef can use more if you like
  • 1 tablespoon dry Italian seasoning
  • 2-3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 bag bag frozen vegetable mix 12 ounces and small carrots
  • 1 can French onion soup 10 ounces
  • 1 packet beef gravy mix .87 ounces

Instructions

  • In a large saucepot, place the frozen vegetables. Cover with water and place over medium-high heat until they just come to a boil. Drain veggies and set aside.
    1 bag bag frozen vegetable mix
  • In the same saucepot, combine the French onion soup, dry gravy mix, and Italian seasoning. Stir well and place over medium-high heat, stirring often, until just heated through. Remove from the heat and stir in the cooked ground beef and drained vegetables.
    1 pound cooked ground beef, 1 tablespoon dry Italian seasoning, 1 bag bag frozen vegetable mix, 1 can French onion soup, 1 packet beef gravy mix
  • In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, sour cream, and 1 cup of cheese. Stir well to combine.
    2-3 cups leftover mashed potatoes, 1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Pour the ground beef filling into the bottom of an 8x8 baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes and spread to cover. Top with remaining cheddar cheese.
    1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
  • Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 460.8kcal
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“The happiest people don’t worry too much about whether life is fair or not,

they just get on with it.”

~A. Matthews

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115 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I just finished this recipe and it was easy and tasty. I only had dry onion soup and store bought beef gravy but it came out just fine.

  2. Since I’m gluten free, I forgo gravy for a bit of beef broth and seasoning. Another thing I do, is I mix Parmesan cheese in with my potatoes and score with a fork. When it browns in the oven it leaves a nice design and crisp on top.

  3. 5 stars
    I did not use mash but sliced some potatoes I had in thinly put them in hot water for awhile then dried them off placed over the filling ,put shredded cheese over the top all enjoyed it

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