With a scrumptious cheesy mashed potato topping, this easy shepherds pie recipe is a hearty and tasty one-dish meal the whole family is going to love.

I’ve spent the last two weeks perfecting this easy shepherd’s pie recipe. I had a few ideas for it and the first one I tried out, only a fourth of it got eaten. I made some tweaks and tried again the very next night. My son said “shepherd’s pie again?” and looked a little leary. Two helpings later he was smiling and telling me how good it was. The dish was practically licked clean with not a crumb left.

That is when I knew I had a winner! I mean, how could it not be when it includes a flavorful ground beef and vegetable pie, covered with a deliciously cheesy and creamy mashed potato topping? This easy shepherd’s pie recipe is quick to prep and then all you have to do is wait for it to bake in the oven. In less than an hour, this pure comfort food will be ready to serve to your hungry family for dinner!

I’ll get to the recipe in a minute but first I wanted to share something with you.

I know this is more of a cottage pie since it has ground beef and traditional shepherd’s pie has lamb, but where I live lamb doesn’t make an appearance too often and we always call this shepherd’s pie. Just call it whatever cranks your tractor and we’ll both be happy farmers.

Now let’s make shepherd’s pie!

Recipe Ingredients

Cooked ground beef
French onion soup
Sour cream
Dry Italian seasoning
Shredded cheddar cheese
Leftover mashed potatoes
Frozen mixed vegetables (I’m using the frozen peas, carrot, green beans, and corn mix)
Brown gravy mix

How To Make My Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Place frozen vegetables in a medium saucepot and cover with water.

Put over medium-high heat. Bring just to a boil.

Remove from heat and drain. Place veggies in a bowl to the side.

In that same saucepot, because there is no reason to dirty up another one, place the French onion soup, gravy mix, and dry Italian seasoning.

Stir that together well and cook over medium-high heat until well blended and heated through, about 5 minutes or so.

Or until you get tired of fooling with it 🙂

A lot of things in my kitchen are done on that kind of timescale “Until I get tired of fooling with it…”

Stir in your veggies and beef.

Mix this meat mixture together well.

In a large bowl, place the leftover mashed potatoes, cheese, and sour cream.

Stir well to combine.

Spread the ground beef mixture into the bottom of an 8×8 baking dish and top with mashed potatoes.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the mashed potato.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 for thirty minutes until the top is golden brown.

I told you this was an easy shepherd’s pie recipe. Enjoy!

Storage

Store pie leftovers, covered, in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply reheat in the microwave.

Recipe Notes

An instant potato packet will technically work in this easy shepherd’s pie recipe. Personally, I don’t ever use instant mashed potatoes to make actual potatoes. I use them as soup thickeners and crusts in casseroles, but that is because my mother always made homemade mashed potatoes so instant potatoes taste off to me. HOWEVER, if you like ’em, go for it and I’ll stand on the sidelines and cheer you all the way. Your kitchen = your rules, and don’t let anyone else tell you different! Another option for this, if you don’t want to do mashed potatoes, is to get a box of stovetop stuffing mix. Mix that up according to the package directions and just use it as a topping. I’d leave out the cheese but you can certainly include that if you like.
Don’t try to substitute the packet of dry brown gravy mix for canned gravy or actual gravy. This mix is actually going to act as a thickener for us and also lend a lot of great flavors to boot!
When it comes to the veggies for shepherd’s pie, get the mixed veggies with itty bitty cubed carrots. Some of them have big sliced carrots and these take ten forevers to cook so we want to avoid those.
If you don’t eat meat, substitute the ground meat for more vegetables or lentils.
On the other hand, feel free to substitute the ground beef or lamb for ground turkey.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this shepherd’s pie ahead of time?

Shepherd’s pie is a great make-ahead dinner. Assemble all of the ingredients but don’t place the dish in the oven. Once cooled, either cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days or place it in the freezer. If refrigerating, just make sure you take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before baking.

You may also enjoy these other recipes:

Sweet Potato Dumplings; Heaven on a plate!

Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe Sooo Easy

Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes Recipe Freezer Friendly!

Ground Beef Stew