Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (VIDEO)

The first time I tried Shepherd’s Pie was in the Cheesecake Factory and I fell in love with the dish. I’m a meat and potatoes kind of gal and this is basically the best combination of saucy meat and creamy parmesan potatoes.

Shepherd’s Pie recipe is a savory pie like Chicken Pot Pie and it’s just as homey and comforting. It is a stunning and welcoming dish for the holiday table. Watch the video tutorial and learn how to make it.

Slice of Shepherd's pie on a plate with fork

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Shepherd’s Pie Video Tutorial

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What is a Shepherd’s Pie?

Shepherd’s Pie (also known as cottage pie) originated in England. It is a savory pie with ground red meat (usually either ground lamb or ground beef) in a vegetable gravy sauce, topped with a layer of mashed potatoes. The potatoes seal in the saucy gravy filling and develop a golden crust as the pie bakes in the oven.

Cottage pie with meat sauce covered by mashed potatoes.

Ingredients for Shepherd’s Pie

Ground Beef – we used lean beef, or you can substitute with ground lamb.
Salt and Pepper – after several tests, we found this simple seasoning is all that is needed. Thyme and rosemary are commonly added but we found it overpowering in any quantity.
Onion – we used yellow onion, but you can substitute any variety
Garlic – aromatic that enhances the sauce
All-purpose flour – thickens the sauce
Red Wine – use a dry red wine to add rich flavor. Use any dry red wine such as Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet, or Sauvignon (avoid cooking wine)
Beef Broth – you can use Chicken broth if that is what you have on hand.
Tomato paste – rounds out the flavor of the sauce
Worcestershire sauce – adds the umami (savory notes)
Frozen vegetables – we use a combination of carrots, peas and corn

Ingredients for making shepherd's pie with ground beef and vegetables

The Best Mashed Potatoes for Cottage Pie

You can easily use leftover Creamy Mashed Potatoes or even Garlic Mashed Potatoes if you have some on hand, but be sure to add parmesan and egg. Here’s what you’ll need to cook mashed potatoes for Shephards Pie:

Russet Potatoes – whip up super creamy and smooth
Heavy Whipping Cream – makes potatoes luxuriously creamy
Salt – add to taste after mashing
Parmesan cheese – gives the potatoes the best taste
Egg – creates that lovely golden hue in the oven
Butter – helps with color and keeps the potatoes moist

Tips for the Best Mashed Potatoes

Cut potatoes into even pieces – this ensures they cook at the same rate.
Add salt after the potatoes are cooked and they are less likely to become waterlogged.
Do not overcook potatoes or they will turn gummy.
Mash right away with a potato masher while potatoes are hot.

How to Make the Filling

Saute Beef – saute ground meat in oil, breaking it up with a spatula. Season with salt and pepper. Add onions and saute 3 minutes until softened then add garlic and stir another minute.
Add flour and stir for a minute.
Pour in red wine and scrape the bottom to deglaze the pan.
Add broth, tomato paste and worcestershire sauce, stirring to combine.
Add frozen vegetables, bring to a light boil and season with more salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer 10 minutes until sauce is. slightly thickened.

Step by step how to make meat and vegetable gravy for shepherd's pie

To Assemble a Shepherd’s Pie

Transfer the Meat Sauce into a pie dish or casserole.
Top with scoops of potatoes then spread potatoes evenly over the filling. An ice cream scoop makes this easy.
Drizzle with melted butter and bake at 400˚F for about 30 minutes or until potatoes start to turn golden.

How to assemble Shepherd's Pie with mashed potatoes and bake

Pro Tip: Shepherd’s Pie can be made ahead which is perfect for the holidays or busy weeknights. See the Make-ahead section below for tips on refrigerating or freezing the pie.

Common Questions

What is the difference between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie?

A Shepherd’s Pie is typically made with ground lamb (hence the name Shepherd’s). When it is made with ground beef, it is referred to as a cottage pie or meat pie.

Can I use leftover mashed potatoes?

Yes, you can use leftover mashed potatoes and you’ll need about 4 cups of mashed potatoes. Warm them up so they are creamy and spreadable. Add some heavy cream if needed to soften them up then stir in parmesan and an egg per the recipe.

Can I substitute the vegetables?

Yes, you can substitute with a variety of chopped veggies. Try chopped and sauteed zucchini, or even chop and sautee your own carrot. Sauteed mushrooms are also a tasty addition.

Can I substitute the wine?

Most of the alcohol in the wine gets cooked out but it adds great flavor. If you wanted to substitute, you could deglaze the pan with beef broth instead.

Serve Shepherd’s Pie with

Shepherd’s Pie can be the main course for a weekend dinner or a side dish when serving during the holidays. We love to pair it with fresh veggies, salad, and bread to soak up the gravy.

Make-Ahead

To Refrigerate: Assemble the pie and cool to room temperature then cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Freezing: Once the assembled pie is cooled, cover with foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
To Reheat: Bake a refrigerated or fully thawed pie at 400˚F for 30-35 minutes.

Slice of Shepherd's Pie served on a plate

Shepherd’s Pie is the ultimate comfort food. It looks so festive alongside a Prime Rib Roast or a Juicy Roast Turkey. If it graces your holiday table, I hope you snap a photo and tag me on social media @natashaskitchen so I can see it.

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.