Description
This Classic Shepherd’s Pie recipe features a savory ground beef filling with mixed vegetables, topped with creamy homemade mashed potatoes and finished under the broiler for a golden, crisp surface. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s a comforting and hearty meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 rib celery, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup brown gravy
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
Mashed Potatoes
- 3 cups homemade mashed potatoes (half batch from recipe)
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Make a half batch of your favorite homemade mashed potatoes to yield about 3 cups. While the potatoes cook, proceed with preparing the filling.
- Cook Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add finely diced onion and celery and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Brown the Beef: Increase heat to high. Add 1 lb ground beef to the pan, cooking and crumbling it until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Thicken the Mixture: Reduce heat to medium-high. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour over the beef mixture and toss to coat thoroughly. Stir in 1 tablespoon tomato paste and ½ teaspoon dried thyme. Cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the flour taste.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in ½ cup chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Use a silicone spatula to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the pan surface to enhance flavor.
- Add Gravy and Vegetables: Mix in half of the 1 cup brown gravy, stirring to combine. Add 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables and cook until heated through.
- Season the Filling: Season the filling with salt and pepper to taste. Add more brown gravy if desired for extra moisture and flavor. Remove from heat.
- Assemble: Transfer the filling into a lightly greased 9-inch pie pan or a 7 x 11 casserole dish. Carefully spread the warm mashed potatoes evenly over the top.
- Texture the Topping: Use a fork to gently rake lines or texture marks into the mashed potatoes; this helps crisp the top under the broiler.
- Broil: Position the oven rack about 5 inches from the broiler element and preheat to high broil, approximately 550°F (288°C).
- Finish the Pie: Broil the assembled pie for about 5 minutes, watching it closely starting at 2 minutes to prevent burning. The top should become golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let sit briefly before serving. Enjoy your classic Shepherd’s Pie warm.
Notes
- Using homemade mashed potatoes adds creamy texture and fresh flavor, but you can substitute with store-bought if short on time.
- Keep a close eye during broiling as the potatoes can burn quickly.
- You can swap mixed vegetables with fresh diced carrots, peas, and corn for added freshness.
- Drain the ground beef well to avoid a greasy filling.
- For a richer filling, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a dash of smoked paprika.
