Description
This Easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe combines savory ground beef and sautéed vegetables in a rich, thickened sauce, topped with creamy mashed potatoes baked to a golden perfection. It’s a comforting classic that takes just 40 minutes to prepare and serves six, perfect for a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meat and Vegetable Filling:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 1 (14-ounce) can beef broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Herbes de Provence
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
- 5 cups diced potatoes, peeled and boiled until fork tender
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup milk
- Paprika, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Brown beef and sauté vegetables: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess grease. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and frozen mixed vegetables to the skillet. Sauté the mixture for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Make sauce: Sprinkle the cornstarch into the skillet with the meat and vegetables, stirring well to combine. Pour in the red wine and beef broth, then season with salt, pepper, Herbes de Provence, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Make mashed potatoes: While the beef mixture simmers, mash the boiled potatoes with butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and milk until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble and bake: Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture into an oven-safe baking dish. Evenly spread the mashed potatoes over the top. Use a fork to create textured lines on the mashed potatoes, then sprinkle with paprika for color. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and serve hot, making sure to scoop generous portions from the bottom for a perfect balance of filling and topping.
Notes
- You can substitute the ground beef with ground lamb for a more traditional shepherd’s pie.
- Using leftover mashed potatoes or prepared mashed potatoes can reduce prep time.
- For a richer flavor, use homemade beef broth instead of canned.
- Feel free to add herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra aroma.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure the Worcestershire sauce and beef broth are gluten-free.
