Description
Classic Shepherd’s Pie is a comforting, hearty dish featuring a savory ground beef filling with vegetables and gravy, topped with creamy homemade mashed potatoes, then broiled to a golden crisp. This recipe uses simple ingredients and a stovetop-to-oven method for a perfect family meal in about 40 minutes.
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
- ½ cup brown gravy (half of 1 cup)
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Topping
- 3 cups homemade mashed potatoes (half batch from your favorite 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 making the filling.
- Cook Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add finely diced onion and celery, 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 cook out 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; this enhances flavor.
- Add Gravy and Vegetables: Mix in half of 1 cup brown gravy, stirring to combine. Add 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables and cook until heated through.
- Season the Filling: Season 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
- Use lean ground beef to reduce grease and keep the filling hearty but not oily.
- You can substitute frozen mixed vegetables with fresh diced carrots, peas, and corn if preferred.
- If you don’t have homemade mashed potatoes, good quality store-bought mashed potatoes can be used in a pinch.
- Keep a close eye on the pie while broiling to avoid burning, as broilers vary in heat intensity.
- For a richer flavor, consider adding Worcestershire sauce or a splash of red wine to the beef mixture during cooking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven until warmed through.
