Homemade Shepherd’s Pie Recipe For Classic Dinner

If you crave a heartwarming meal, our Homemade Shepherd’s Pie offers a perfect layering of seasoned meat, vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting dinner classic.
Homemade Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Make a classic comfort meal with our easy-to-follow Homemade Shepherd’s Pie recipe. This savory pie layers beautifully seasoned ground meat mixed with a medley of vegetables, all topped with smooth, creamy mashed potatoes. Every bite of this Shepherd’s Pie offers a satisfying texture and a depth of flavor that transforms a simple supper into a memorable dining experience. Ideal for any day that calls for a touch of homely indulgence, it’s a recipe that appeals to both seasoned cooks and novices aiming to impress at the dinner table.
Ingredients
For meat & vegetables
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 2 onions finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots finely diced
- 2 sticks celery finely diced
gravy/to finish filling
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground paprika
- ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons white flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ⅓ cup red wine OR more broth if avoiding alcohol
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon finely chopped thyme
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
For topping
- 4 cups mashed potatoes (click for my recipe and you’ll have some leftovers to sneak during cooking)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Brown meat and vegetables
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large, deep skillet. Brown the ground meat, then add the chopped vegetables and sauté until softened.
Season and deglaze the pan
- Sprinkle salt, paprika, pepper, and flour over the pan. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring often. Stir in tomato paste and cook, stirring all the time, until it smells roasted (about 1 minute).
- Pour in the red wine (OR beef broth if you prefer!), scratching any browned bits off the bottom.
Finish filling and cool
- Then stir in broth, herbs, and peas, simmer 4-5 minutes and then let cool in a 7×11 inch baking dish.
Prep mash:
- In the meantime, make your favorite mashed potatoes. You need about 4 cups of mash to top off the casserole. About 1.5 pounds of peeled potatoes should yield enough.
Bake pie
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the mashed potatoes over the cold filling. (Be careful not to mix up the two.)
- Criss-cross with a fork for a great look and crispy edges! Sprinkle with the cheese.
- Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until golden (I recommend baking on a lined baking sheet to catch any spills).
Serving Suggestions:
- Sautéed Green Beans
- Crockpot Glazed Carrots
- Nice Green Salad
Tips and Tricks
- For intense flavors, ensure you brown the meat and vegetables well.
- Prevent layers from mixing by cooling the filling for 15-30 minutes before assembling.
- If you prefer not to use wine, more broth can be used instead.
- Both instant pot mashed potatoes and regular mashed potatoes work well, as do ready-made mashed potatoes for a shortcut.