close-up of traditional shepherds pie in a baking dish with golden mashed potato topping and a scoop served
Introduction
Traditional Shepherd’s Pie is pure comfort food. It’s warm, savory, and filling—exactly what you want when you need an easy, satisfying dinner.
The standout here is the sauce. A little tomato paste, Worcestershire, and broth turn ground beef and vegetables into a rich, spoon-coating filling that doesn’t dry out in the oven. Then you add creamy mashed potatoes on top and bake until bubbly.
This Traditional Shepherd’s Pie is a total family-favorite. It’s also perfect for meal prep because leftovers reheat like a dream.
Why You’ll Love This Traditional Shepherd’s Pie
- Ultimate comfort food: Saucy beef filling + creamy mashed potatoes = cozy perfection.
- Better than restaurant: Rich gravy-style filling with real flavor.
- Family-friendly: Classic ingredients kids usually love.
- Make-ahead meal: Assemble earlier and bake when you’re ready.
- Great for meal prep: Leftovers reheat well for easy lunches.
- One-pan filling: The base cooks in one skillet for simple cleanup.
Ingredients for Traditional Shepherd’s Pie
Savory Filling
- Vegetable oil (1 tablespoon): For sautéing.
- Carrots (1 cup, diced): Sweetness and texture.
- Celery (1 cup, diced): Savory flavor and crunch.
- Onion (1 1/2 cups, diced): Builds the base flavor.
- Lean ground beef (1 pound): Classic, hearty filling. Substitute: ground lamb or ground turkey.
- Minced garlic (2 teaspoons): Extra savory punch.
- Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Thickens the filling so it’s saucy, not watery.
- Tomato paste (1/3 cup): Rich, deep flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce (3 tablespoons): Adds that “something” you can’t quite name.
- Beef broth (1 1/2 cups): Makes the gravy-style sauce. Low-sodium is great so you control salt.
- Dried thyme (1/4 teaspoon): Cozy herb flavor.
- Dried oregano (1/4 teaspoon): Savory depth.
- Dried parsley (1 teaspoon): Light herb note.
- Salt (1 teaspoon) + black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Season to taste.
- Frozen peas (1 cup): Adds color and little pops of sweetness.
Mashed Potato Topping
- Potatoes (2 pounds, peeled and diced): Russet or golden potatoes mash beautifully.
- Butter (2 tablespoons): Richness.
- Half and half (1/2 cup, warmed): Creamy texture. Substitute: milk.
- Soft herb cheese (about 5 ounces): Optional but amazing for extra creamy, herby potatoes. Substitute: cream cheese.
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
Traditional Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
- 1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
- 2. Sauté carrots, celery, and onion in oil over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, until softened.
- 3. Brown the ground beef until no pink remains, breaking it up as it cooks. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- 4. Whisk beef broth and cornstarch in a small bowl, then stir it into the skillet along with tomato paste, Worcestershire, herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Stir in peas.
- 5. Boil potatoes in salted water for 12–15 minutes until fork-tender. Drain well.
- 6. Mash potatoes with butter, warm half and half, and soft herb cheese until creamy. Season to taste.
- 7. Layer filling into a baking dish, then spread mashed potatoes on top. Use a fork to make ridges (they get extra golden).
- 8. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until bubbling at the edges. Rest 10 minutes before serving.
Tips for Perfect Traditional Shepherd’s Pie
- Drain beef fat if needed so the filling isn’t greasy.
- Thicken the filling before baking—watery filling makes the potatoes sink.
- Warm the half and half so potatoes stay fluffy, not gluey.
- Use a fork on the potato topping for crispier golden ridges.
- Let it rest before slicing so it holds together better.
- Taste and adjust salt before assembling—potatoes can dull seasoning.
Variations & Substitutions
- Lamb version: Swap in ground lamb for a more traditional feel.
- More veggies: Add corn or chopped mushrooms.
- Cheesy topping: Stir shredded cheddar into the mashed potatoes.
- Lighter: Use ground turkey and milk instead of half and half.
- Shortcut potatoes: Use prepared mashed potatoes for a “busy night” version.
- Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling.
Make-Ahead & Freezing
Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 3 days before baking. Add 10–15 minutes to bake time if it’s going in cold.
Freeze baked or unbaked shepherd’s pie up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake until hot and bubbling.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
- Serve with a simple green salad.
- Add roasted green beans or carrots on the side.
- Great with crusty bread to scoop the sauce.
- Perfect for cozy weekends and family dinners.
Reader Review: “This is the shepherd’s pie I’ve been looking for—saucy, flavorful, and the mashed topping is so creamy!”
Traditional Shepherd’s Pie Recipe Card
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Irish-American Comfort Food
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 1/2 cups onion, diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas
Mashed Potatoes
- 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup half and half, warmed
- about 5 ounces soft herb cheese (optional)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
- 2. Sauté vegetables 5 minutes. Brown beef; add garlic 1 minute.
- 3. Stir in broth + cornstarch, tomato paste, Worcestershire, herbs, salt, pepper. Simmer 5 minutes; add peas.
- 4. Boil potatoes 12–15 minutes; mash with butter, warm half and half, and soft herb cheese.
- 5. Layer filling and potatoes in a baking dish. Bake 25–30 minutes until bubbly. Rest 10 minutes.
Rate and comment if you make it—do you add cheese to your mashed topping, or keep it classic?