Easy 5 Ingredient Shepherds Pie
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This easy Shepherds pie is made with ground beef in a savory gravy, layered with tender vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes and topped off with cheddar cheese.
This is my twist on the traditional Shepherds pie recipe. It does not use ground lamb or the traditional sauce. Instead, the ground beef is mixed with gravy and topped with sharp cheddar cheese. Interesting fact: its actually called cottage pie when its made with ground beef. However, in America, people commonly refer to it as Shepherds pie anyway.
This 5 ingredient shepherds pie is one of my favorite go-to ground beef recipes because its budget-friendly and flavorful. I have it at least once a month. It only requires 5 ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to make so its perfect for a quick and easy dinner recipe.
Shepherds Pie Vs Cottage Pie
When Shepherds Pie first originated, it was made with lamb. It has since evolved, especially in America, to include a variety of red meats . Per Wikipedia:
Shepherds pie, cottage pie, or hachis Parmentier is a ground meat pie with a crust or topping of mashed potato of English origin. The recipe has many variations, but the defining ingredients are ground red meat cooked in a gravy or sauce with onions, and topped with a layer of mashed potato before it is baked
To Give This Flavorful Shepherd’s Pie A Pretty Look Pipe On The Mashed Potatoes Using A Large Star Tip
Unfortunately, even though there’s a fruit in its name, banana bread isn’t always the healthie. Sections show more follow today this is one of the most popular dishes at mcgillin’s. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. This is the best shepherds pie recipe i’ve ever had, and it comes from a friend who was a whiz at pinching pennies without sacrificing hearty flavor.valerie merrill, topeka, kansas homecasserolesbeef casseroleshamburger casseroles our bran. The bacon flavor in the filling is fabulous! To give this flavorful shepherd’s pie a pretty look, pipe on the mashed potatoes using a large star tip. Instead of using a pastry crust, this recipe creates a savory crust with mashed potatoes.
Simple Healthy Shepherds Pie Recipe – Easiest Way to Cook Delicious Healthy Shepherds Pie Recipe. Serve up warm, comforting shepherd’s pie for a satisfying st. If you’re like many people, you might have a monthly rotation of dinner entrees that you regularly cycle through. In fact, when it comes to the popular summer squash, the trickiest thing about it is spelling its name correctly. In recent years, smoothies have gained popularity for their nutritional value, especially among people who are looking for quick breakfasts on the go and those who want to get more fresh produce into their diets. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
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My Family Loves This Easy Shepherds Pie Recipe You Only Need Five Ingredients To Make This Delicious Comfort Food Casserole And It Cooks In Under 30 Minutes
Sometimes life gets cray cray and you need a quick dinner recipe, am I right?! This Easy Shepherds Pie Recipe has got your back!
It has only FIVE simple ingredients and is constantly requested by my family of hungry boys. Whenever I make this, my kids literally scream YAY out loud!!
Full disclosure: I usually eat pretty healthy. I mean, this website is called Yummy Healthy Easy for a reason, right? But sometimes you need a good ol comfort food dinner on a cold evening to warm you up.
This Easy Shepherds Pie recipe is one of my absolute favorite go-to comfort food dinners. Ive been making this for years and for some reason, I never thought to share it with you!
When I made it last week, I was like why have I not taken photos of this and put it on the website?! So, here you go!
The Best Quick & Easy Shepherds Pie Recipe Made With Ground Beef

If youre looking for cheap and easy dinner recipes for the family, this ground beef and potato casserole recipe is always a hit! Even your picky eaters will love this simple meal. Its also loaded with veggies, so consider it healthy enough to serve often.
The idea behind a classic shepherds pie is simply to mix ground beef or lamb with a good hearty tomato based sauce and mixed vegetables, top with mashed potatoes in a casserole dish , and then bake until the potatoes and cheese are well browned.
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How To Make Shepherds Pie
- Sauté some chopped onions in olive oil.
- Add ground beef or ground lamb.
- Add dried parsley, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Stir and cook the meat mixture until the meat is browned.
- Add minced garlic and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cook the garlic for a minute.
- Add flour and tomato paste.
- Add beef broth, frozen mixed peas and carrots, and frozen corn kernels.
- Simmer the meat gravy until it is thick.
- Boil some peeled and chopped potatoes until they are soft.
- Drain the potatoes
- Add butter, half & half, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mash the potatoes until smooth.
- Pour the meat mixture into a casserole dish.
- Top it with the cheesy mashed potatoes.
- Bake until the meat is bubbling and the potatoes are golden.
The Best Shepherd’s Pie
We stuck with tradition and made our shepherd’s pie with lamb, but you could easily swap in ground beef. The saucy filling is packed with tender vegetables and the creamy topping is inspired by the Irish potato dish, colcannon, and is filled with cabbage, leeks and cheese.
Get the Recipe: The Best Shepherd’s Pie
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Why Sweet Potatoes Are Good For You
Sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest foods you could eat because theyre a great source of fiber, loads of vitamins, and disease-fighting antioxidants. Here are some of the ways that sweet potatoes are helping to keep you healthy:
- Nutritious sweet potatoes are a great source of two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. The soluble fiber helps keep the healthy bacteria in your intestines healthy, while the insoluble fiber improves your digestion
- Sweet potatoes can reduce your risk of heart disease by reducing homocysteine in the blood, which has been linked to artery damage
- Because sweet potatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin C, they can improve your immunity and digestion, and also boost the production of your collagen levels for healthier skin, hair, and nails
- The deep orange color of sweet potatoes indicated that they are high in carotenoids like beta carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A which improves your eye health and enhances your immunity against illness
- Delicious sweet potatoes can help keep you looking and feeling young, due to their high levels of carotenoids, a type of anti-aging antioxidant
- Sweet potatoes can even make you happier since they are a good source of Vitamin D, a nutrient important for keeping your energy and mood levels high
Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
- 1lb.lean ground beef
- 1 10.75-ozcan tomato soup
- 1 14.5-ozcan green beansdrained
- 1-2cupsmashed potatoesleftover or cooked instant potatoes
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef. Drain if needed.
- Pour tomato soup and drained green beans into the ground beef and stir. Do not add extra water.
- Spray a 2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour ground beef mixture into bottom of casserole dish.
- Top with mashed potatoes. Sprinkle cheese over the top and cover with a piece of tin foil sprayed with cooking spray .
- Bake in preheated oven until heated through and cheese is melted, about 25 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
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Customize Your Shepherds Pie
This easy shepherds pie is the ultimate comfort food. Meat, cheese, potatoes? Whats not to love with that combo! It is also is easily customizable to your familys preferences. You can add different vegetables: corn, carrots, peas, green beans, etc. I personally prefer corn and green beans in mine, but when Im in a rush, Ill just use a bag of frozen mixed vegetables.
You can use instant mashed potatoes or real mashed potatoes with Yukon, Russet, or Sweet Potatoes. The gravy can be made from scratch or made with a gravy packet. The choice is up to you. You can even switch up the cheeses. Some good substitutes are Colby jack, mild cheddar, or a mix of different cheeses .The possibilities are endless!
This Is The Best Shepherds Pie Recipe I’ve Ever Had And It Comes From A Friend Who Was A Whiz At Pinching Pennies Without Sacrificing Hearty Flavorvalerie Merrill Topeka Kansas Homecasserolesbeef Casseroleshamburger Casseroles Our Bran
Cheap and tasty, this family favourite shepherd’s pie recipe is a classic for good reason. If you’re like many people, you might have a monthly rotation of dinner entrees that you regularly cycle through. Every item on this page was chosen by a woman’s day edito. Instead of using a pastry crust, this recipe creates a savory crust with mashed potatoes. In recent years, smoothies have gained popularity for their nutritional value, especially among people who are looking for quick breakfasts on the go and those who want to get more fresh produce into their diets. Serve up warm, comforting shepherd’s pie for a satisfying st. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Lorraine’s chunky beef mix add heartiness to this quick comforting supper. In fact, when it comes to the popular summer squash, the trickiest thing about it is spelling its name correctly. The bacon flavor in the filling is fabulous! A perennial favorite, banana bread is a great treat that isn’t too sweet, making it perfect for everything from breakfast to snacking to dessert. Sections show more follow today this is one of the most popular dishes at mcgillin’s. Just add a tossed salad or green vegetable and dessert, and you’ll have a complete meal that’s sure to pl. Cheap and tasty, this family favourite shepherd’s pie recipe is a classic for good reason. If you’re like many people, you might have a monthly rotation of dinner entrees that you regularly cycle through.
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Gluten Free Recipe Tips
Gluten Free Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. This information is solely based on my research and personal experience, and I provide it as a courtesy to my readers. Please consult your doctor or medical professional for any questions as it relates to your needs, particularly if you have celiac disease or a severe gluten allergy or intolerance. Products, manufacturing facilities, and ingredients change frequently, so you should always contact the manufacturer for the latest information.
Many traditional recipes are not, as they contain a brown gravy thickened with flour. However, this one does not. So its easy to make it as a gluten free casserole.
Just be sure to use Worcestershire sauce that is gluten free , as well as a gluten free beef broth.
The topping is nothing more than mashed potatoes with cheddar cheese. So there are no gluten-containing ingredients there. Go ahead and enjoy this classic dish as part of your gluten-free St. Patricks Day without worry!
Can I Prepare Shepherds Pie In Advance

Yes, this is a great make ahead dish! You cook it, assemble and leave it ready to bake, or freeze it to make another night.
To Make Ahead: This is a great dish to prep and make ahead a few days in advance. Assemble and cover with foil. Refrigerate up to 2 days ahead, then bake in a preheated oven 400F about 30 minutes, or until heated through.
Leftovers: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, transfer to a freezer safe containers for up to 1 month.
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What Makes This Recipe So Easy
This really is an easy homemade shepherds pie. It uses mostly premade ingredients that you can get at your local grocery store, and you may already even have on hand. Youll save a lot of time by not having to make your potatoes from scratch. Instant or prepared mashed potatoes are perfect for this recipe. Of course, if you have an Instant Pot, you can follow my easy mashed potatoes recipe if you have the time.
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While I do use some premade ingredients, this is still a reasonably healthy shepherds pie recipe. I do my best to buy prepared foods with as few additives as possible. My local supermarket, HEB, carries a brand of prepared mashed potatoes that is just potatoes, milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Many other brands come packed full of additives. So youll definitely want to look at the ingredients list before purchasing.
S To Make Vegan Shepherds Pie:
Make the mashed potato topping as directed in the recipe card or make Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. In a large pot, cover potatoes with water and season with salt. Add the lentils, mushrooms, and water, and bring to a boil. While the lentils cook, put the potatoes in a pot with enough water to. Sprinkle with smoked paprika, parsley flakes, and coarse ground pepper.
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Read The Labels On Your Worcestershire Sauce
Diving into the meat filling, youll see that Worcestershire is a key ingredient. This is a vinegar based sauce made from fermented onions and garlic, along with molasses, tamarind, anchovies, spices and more. Yep, you can say this sauce has an intense depth of flavor, making it perfect to add to meats.
But if youre gluten-free, youll need to be mindful of the brands you buy. Worcestershire often includes a wheat-based soy sauce to get that deep dark brown color. So, I recommend purchasing one of the below brands that are gluten-free .