The following Shepherd's Pie Recipe is an easy shepherd's pie recipe and a delicious way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. It's delicious, full of flavor and so comforting. The perfect type of food to eat on chilly evenings!
When we were first married, being the new bride and wanting to impress my husband with my culinary skills, I tried making a Shepherd's Pie recipe from a vegetarian cookbook, Laurel's Kitchen.
It was a success - he was duly impressed! Not only was it good, but it was such an easy shepherd's pie recipe that it was added to my arsenal of recipes.
Recipes, for me anyway, are a work in progress - ever changing. This Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe is now quite a bit different from that original recipe. The major difference is the introduction of ground beef. Thanks to the GAPS diet, I am now able to eat meat - and, it is delicious.
Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe Vegetarian Style
If, however, you are a vegetarian, simply leave out the ground beef and you will still have a delicious meal! In the following Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe, I mention using leftover mashed potatoes. This is a great way to use them up.
But, I do not normally have leftover mashed potatoes anymore. Can you believe that our family can eat 10 lbs of potatoes cooked and mashed (with butter of course) and not have enough leftovers for the Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe? That is what happens when you have growing farm boys who eat. And eat. And eat!
So, while this recipe is one that has continued to evolve, it remains a favorite in our home. It is hearty and comforting. After all, it has mashed potatoes in it!
The History Behind A Shepherd's Pie
According to Wikipedia, another name for Shepherd's Pie is Cottage Pie - it is a meat pie with a crust of mashed potatoes. Cottage Pie was used as early as 1791 when the potato was being introduced as an economical food crop for the poor. Originally, the pie dish was lined with mashed potatoes, as well as, topped with them. In 1877, the term Shepherd's Pie was used signifying that the dish contained lamb - get it? Shepherds shepherd sheep!
Anyway, just a bit of background for you - I find it interesting and hope you do too. Whether the "Shepherd's Pie" is made with mutton or beef, the term is synonymous with Cottage Pie. But, I must confess, until I began reading, I had never heard of Cottage Pie - have you? Is yours made with beef, lamb or vegetarian?
Extra Tips For Making A Shepherd's Pie;
- If you have sweet potatoes that need used up this is also a delicious way to use them
- You can substitute the ground beef for pork or lamb
- Leave the ground beef out and use lentil or spinach for a delicious, hearty vegetarian meal.
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Easy Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
Topping:
- 3 c. leftover mashed potatoes
- OR
- 5 medium potatoes chopped
- 1/4 c. milk
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 onions chopped
- 1 lb broccoli I use frozen
- 1 c peas I use frozen
- 5 medium carrots diced
- 1/2 c. tomato paste
- 1/2 c beef broth or water
- 2 tsp basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Unless you have leftover mashed potatoes, cook the potatoes in boiling water until tender. Drain, mash well and add butter, milk and salt.
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Saute onions in oil.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
- Cut the broccoli into flowers and stems - slice stems in 1/4 inch round pieces.
- Add vegetables and the remaining ingredients to the ground beef mixture. Bring to a boil and cover. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
- Place the vegetable mixture in a greased 9" x 13" dish.
- Spread the mashed potatoes over the top - dot with butter.
- Bake at 350 F for about 15 minutes - until the potatoes are piping hot.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Extra Tips For Making A Shepherd's Pie;
- If you have sweet potatoes that need used up this is also a delicious way to use them
- You can substitute the ground beef for pork or lamb
- Leave the ground beef out and use lentil or spinach for a delicious, hearty vegetarian meal.
Nutrition
Lori Travis says
Dina-Marie,
My family likes Shepherd's Pie also. I make mine a little differently. I use a gluten free cream soup or make my own cream sauce instead of the tomato paste and I use green beans instead of the broccoli and carrots. Sometimes I add corn. I love reading your posts. My oldest son and his family moved from Minnesota to the Houston area about 2 1/2 years ago and love it there. After visiting them a couple of times my husband and I are wannabee Texans. We would like to spend our winters in Texas.
Lori
Dina-Marie says
Lori, your version sounds delicious! I know what you mean about wannabee Texans - we now know, that even when we lived in AL and GA, we were Texans - we just didn't know it yet!!!
Elise says
Yum! Looks delicious!! You can't go wrong with anything that has mashed potatoes in it!
Joyce says
We lived in Houston for 7 years. We were informed we would always be Yankees no matter how many years we lived there in TX. The only TEXANS are ones who are born there. :)
Melissa says
When I make Shepard's Pie, I add leftover gravy between the meat and potatoes. If I have any that needs to be used up, I also top with some shredded cheese. Makes a great cold weather comfort food.
Dina-Marie says
Melissa, those sound like great additions!
Emily Kemp says
I absolutely love shepherd's pie it was total comfort food for me growing up!