Description
This Classic Shepherd’s Pie features a hearty ground beef filling simmered with savory vegetables, herbs, and gravy, all topped with creamy homemade mashed potatoes. Broiled to a golden, slightly crisp finish, it’s a comforting and satisfying dish perfect for any family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the 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 (from 1 cup total)
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the 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 yielding about 3 cups. While they cook, start the beef filling.
- Cook Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Sauté diced onion and celery for 3 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
- Brown the Beef: Increase heat to high and add ground beef. Cook and crumble until browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Thicken the Mixture: Reduce heat to medium-high. Sprinkle flour over the beef mixture and stir to coat. Add tomato paste and dried thyme, cooking for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in chicken broth and use a spatula to scrape up browned bits from the pan bottom to enhance flavor.
- Add Gravy and Vegetables: Stir in half of the brown gravy and frozen mixed vegetables. Cook until vegetables are heated through. Season with salt and pepper, adding more gravy if you prefer a moister filling.
- Assemble: Transfer the beef and vegetable filling to a lightly greased 9-inch pie pan or a 7 x 11 casserole dish. Spread warm mashed potatoes evenly over the top.
- Texture the Topping: Use a fork to create texture or lines on the mashed potatoes, which promotes a crisp crust under the broiler.
- Broil: Position an oven rack about 5 inches from the broiler and preheat to high (approximately 550°F / 288°C).
- Finish the Pie: Broil the pie for about 5 minutes, watching carefully after 2 minutes to prevent burning. The topping should turn golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Serve: Remove from oven, let rest briefly, then serve warm and enjoy this comforting classic Shepherd’s Pie.
Notes
- You can substitute ground lamb for beef to make it a traditional Shepherd’s Pie.
- For extra flavor, add Worcestershire sauce or fresh herbs like rosemary to the filling.
- Use leftover mashed potatoes or instant mashed potatoes if short on time.
- To make ahead, assemble the pie and refrigerate; broil just before serving.
- Watch the pie closely during broiling to avoid burning the mashed potato topping.
