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Shepherds Pie Recipe
4.9 from 84 votes

Shepherds Pie Recipe

Shepherds Pie here combines creamy mashed potatoes seasoned with sour cream and spices, layered over a savory ground beef mixture cooked with onions, carrots, peas, and beef broth thickened with cornstarch. The filling is flavored with Worcestershire and bouillon paste, creating a rich, hearty dish baked with a cheddar cheese topping.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 726 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the mashed potatoes:
  • 5 pounds potato peeled and chopped into 1 or 2 inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup butter 1 stick, salted
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup milk or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
For the beef mixture:
  • 4 tablespoons butter 1/2 stick, salted
  • 1 onion chopped (about 2 cups, medium
  • 4-5 carrot about 1 and 1/2 to 2 cups, medium
  • 1 & 1/2 cups peas frozen
  • 1 & 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 & 1/2 cups beef broth *
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon bouillon paste see note, Better Than Bouillon
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Fill a large stock pot with plenty of water. Add the chopped potatoes and make sure the water covers them.
  2. Bring to a boil, covered, over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and continue boiling for about 20-25 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender.
  3. Drain the potatoes and return to the pot.
  4. Add 1/2 cup butter. Mash with a potato masher or mixer until they are as smooth as you like them.
  5. Stir in sour cream, milk, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. All seasonings are to taste. Cover and set aside.
  6. In a large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
  7. Add the onions and carrots. Saute for about 8 minutes, until the carrots are tender.
  8. Add the ground beef and cook and crumble until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes.
  9. Drain the fat.
  10. Add the frozen peas.
  11. In a small bowl, stir together beef broth* and cornstarch.
  12. Add this mixture to the meat, as well as the Worcestershire sauce.
  13. Cook over high heat for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture boils and the sauce has thickened. Cook and reduce until it has reached a consistency you like.
  14. Season with salt and pepper. Taste it and see how you like it! Add other seasonings if you want.
  15. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  16. Pour the meat mixture into a deep 9x13 inch casserole dish.
  17. Top with the mashed potatoes and spread evenly.
  18. Top with cheddar cheese.
  19. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes, or until bubbly. (You could do 375 if you are in a hurry. Check it at 20 minutes.)
  20. Broil on the top rack for about 2 minutes if you are obsessed with crunchy brown cheese like my family is. Don't walk away!!
  21. Now invite over the neighbors. Because this pie feeds a crowd!

Notes

  • Better Than Bouillon intensifies broth flavor; use about 1 teaspoon per cup of water.
  • Season mashed potatoes to your preference; add more salt if the taste is bland.
  • This recipe makes enough mashed potatoes topping for a substantial layer over the beef filling.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cup Calories 726kcal (36%) Carbohydrates 60g (20%) Protein 27g (54%) Fat 43g (66%) Saturated Fat 22g (110%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g (12%) Monounsaturated Fat 14g (70%) Trans Fat 2g (100%) Cholesterol 129mg (43%) Potassium 1699mg (36%) Fiber 9g (36%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 6089IU (122%) Vitamin C 70mg (78%) Calcium 210mg (21%) Iron 5mg (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 726

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cup
Calories 726kcal 36%
Carbohydrates 60g 20%
Protein 27g 54%
Fat 43g 66%
Saturated Fat 22g 110%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 14g 70%
Trans Fat 2g 100%
Cholesterol 129mg 43%
Potassium 1699mg 36%
Fiber 9g 36%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 6089IU 122%
Vitamin C 70mg 78%
Calcium 210mg 21%
Iron 5mg 28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.