Easy Shepherd’s Pie With Ground Beef Recipe
Shepherd’s pie is a delicious savory comfort meal that is loaded with flavor. This hearty dish is perfect for the cold days of fall and winter. The warmth that fills your belly with each bite is just what you need when the weather turns cold!
Shepherds Pie Ingredients
The Main Ingredients
This delicious dish primarily consists of ground beef, carrots, onions, green beans and mashed potatoes. The ground beef provides some body and structure as well as a large amount of protein. The veggies also provide a lot of structure to the dish as well as delicious flavor.
Seasonings and Other Additions
This recipe also calls to use broth as the base to the “gravy”. Although this recipe calls for beef broth, you can use whichever broth you like or have on hand. Beef bone broth adds to the overall flavor and nutrition with the amazing collagen and minerals.
The other ingredients in this recipe include some onions, tomato paste and herbs like oregano, basil and fresh garlic. The other “flavor enhancers” that I use are just simple sea salt and black pepper. Although they may be small, they are definitely mighty! Especially in recipes that are all from scratch!!
Substitutions In Shepherd’s Pie
As with any cooking recipe, there are a few substitutions that can be made to this shepherd’s pie in the event you don’t have all the exact ingredients listed.
The first ingredient is the broth. Although this recipe calls for beef broth, you can use whichever broth you like or have on hand. Chicken broth or vegetable broth will work just as well in this recipe!
The second ingredient is the protein. This recipe calls to use ground beef because it’s generally a cheaper cut of meat. If you don’t have ground beef or like to use a different ground meat, you can definitely use whatever you have on hand. As an alternative, you can use ground turkey, chicken or lamb!
The next ingredient is the onion. This recipe calls to use a yellow onion. If you like to use another style of onion, you can use that here. A red or white onion will work just as well in this recipe. Just use the kind of onion you like.
The last ingredients are the carrots and green beans. While I usually have fresh carrots and frozen green beans in my home, you can definitely use a frozen medley or a set of other vegetables you may have. Another common vegetable addition to shepherd’s pie is corn. If you have frozen or canned corn, you can definitely add it here!
Looking for more recipe inspiration? You might also enjoy this Cast Iron Chicken Pot Pie or this Easy Pulled Beef Recipe.
Storing Shepherds Pie
There are two main ways you can store this shepherd’s pie. The first way is for the short term and includes putting it in an air tight container (or a covered baking dish) into the fridge. I recommend storing this casserole in the fridge for no more than 3-5 days.
If you’re preparing this meal ahead of time or you know you’re not going to eat all of this within 3-5 days, I recommend freezing it. To freeze, be sure to use a freezer safe baking dish. If kept in a deep freezer, this can store for 6-12 months.
To reheat a frozen shepherd’s pie, place in the fridge the night before. When baking, place in a cool oven and bake at 375℉ until the top layer of potatoes are golden brown
Ingredients & Tools
5-6 cups Seasoned Mashed Potatoes (I like to use leftover mashed potatoes from a previous meal)
2 lbs Ground Beef
3 cups each Diced Yellow Onion, Diced Carrots, Chopped Green Beans
2 TBSP Tomato Paste
1 cup Beef Broth ( can also use chicken or veggie)
2 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce
1 ½ TBSP Freshly Minced Garlic
2 tsp each Basil, Oregano, Ground Thyme, Parsley & Ground Rosemary
Salt & Pepper to taste (I use ~1 tsp salt & at least ½ tsp pepper)
1-2 TBSP high heat cooking oil (lard, tallow or coconut oil)
A large skillet
One medium-large stockpot
A large wooden or metal spoon
9 x 13 baking dish or (2) 6 cup glass baking dishes
Directions
Place a large skillet on medium heat and saute the ground beef. Generously season the ground beef with salt and pepper.
When the beef is about halfway cooked, add the chopped onion and carrots. If you’re using fresh green beans, add them here also. If you’re using frozen or canned green beans, wait to add the green beans.
Cook until the onions become translucent. Add the garlic, all spices, Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste for the filling. Stir well and cook until fragrant.
Once the garlic is fragrant add the broth, stir well and bring to a boil. While the mixture comes up to a boil, preheat the oven to 375℉.
Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 15 minutes or until the broth has reduced by half. If using frozen or canned green beans, add them here and heat through. Do a taste test on the beef mixture for flavor and add any salt or pepper as needed.
Once you have the desired flavor, evenly spread the filling mixture in a greased 9×13 baking dish. Spread the prepared mashed potatoes on top of the meat mixture.
Place in an oven that is preheated to 375℉. Bake until the top layer of potatoes turn golden brown.
Your shepherd’s pie is now ready to enjoy! Serve as desired.
FAQ:
What Are the Ingredients in Shepherd’s Pie?
This delicious dish primarily consists of ground beef, carrots, onions, green beans and mashed potatoes. The ground beef provides some body and structure as well as a large amount of protein. The veggies also provide a lot of structure to the dish as well as delicious flavor.
This recipe also calls to use broth as the base to the “gravy”. Although this recipe calls for beef broth, you can use whichever broth you like or have on hand. Beef bone broth adds to the overall flavor and nutrition with the amazing collagen and minerals.
The other ingredients in this recipe include some onions and herbs like oregano, basil and fresh garlic. The other “flavor enhancers” that I use are just simple sea salt and black pepper. Although they may be small, they are definitely mighty! Especially in recipes that are all from scratch!!
Can I Use A Different Broth for Shepherd’s Pie?
Although this recipe calls for beef broth, you can use whichever broth you like or have on hand. Chicken broth or vegetable broth will work just as well in this recipe!
What Other Protein Can I Use for Shepherd’s Pie ?
This recipe calls to use ground beef because it’s generally a cheaper cut of meat. If you don’t have ground beef or like to use a different ground meat, you can definitely use a different ground meat. As an alternative, you can use ground Italian sausage or ground chicken!
Can I Use A Different Kind Of Onion?
This recipe calls to use a yellow onion. If you like to use another style of onion, you can use that here. A red or white onion will work just as well in this recipe. Just use the kind of onion you like to keep on hand.
How Do I Store Shepherd’s Pie?
There are two main ways you can store this shepherd’s pie. The first way is for the short term and includes putting it in an air tight container (or a covered baking dish) into the fridge. I recommend storing this casserole in the fridge for 3-5 days.
If you’re preparing this meal ahead of time or you know you’re not going to eat all of this within 3-5 days, I recommend freezing it. To freeze, be sure to use a freezer safe baking dish. If kept in a deep freezer, this can store for 6-12 months.
Did you try this? Share your creations in the comments or by tagging @MissysHomestead on Instagram.
Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef
Equipment
- A large skillet
- One medium-large stockpot
- A large wooden or metal spoon
- 9 x 13 baking dish or (2) 6 cup glass baking dishes
Ingredients
- 5-6 cups Seasoned Mashed Potatoes I like to use leftover mashed potatoes from a previous meal
- 2 lbs Ground Beef
- 3 cups Diced Yellow Onion
- 3 cups Diced Carrots
- 3 cups Chopped Green Beans
- 2 TBSP Tomato Paste
- 1 cup Broth chicken, veggie or beef
- 2 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 TBSP Freshly Minced Garlic
- 2 tsp Basil
- 2 tsp Oregano
- 2 tsp Ground Thyme
- 2 tsp Parsley
- 2 tsp Ground Rosemary
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 1-2 TBSP High Heat Cooking Oil lard, tallow or coconut oil
Instructions
- Place a large skillet on medium heat and saute the ground beef. Generously season the ground beef with salt and pepper.
- When the beef is about halfway cooked, add the chopped onion and carrots. If you’re using fresh green beans, add them here also. If you’re using frozen or canned green beans, wait to add the green beans.
- Cook until the onions become translucent. Add the garlic, all spices, worcestershire sauce and tomato paste for the filling. Stir well and cook until fragrant.
- Once the garlic is fragrant add the broth, stir well and bring to a boil. While the mixture comes up to a boil, preheat the oven to 375℉.
- Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 15 minutes or until the broth has reduced by half. If using frozen or canned green beans, add them here and heat through. Do a taste test for the beef mixture for flavor and add any salt or pepper as needed.
- Once you have the desired flavor, evenly spread the filling mixture in a greased 9×13 baking dish. Spread the prepared mashed potatoes on top of the meat mixture.
- Place in an oven that is preheated to 375℉. Bake until the top layer of potatoes turn golden brown.
- Your shepherd’s pie is now ready to enjoy! Serve as desired.
