Easy Shepherd's Pie
This Easy Shepherd's Pie is a classic comfort food dish that features flavorful ground beef and mixed vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes. It's hearty, satisfying, and perfect for a cozy family dinner.
Equipment
- Medium Pot
- Large Sauté Pan
- Large Baking Dish (9 x 13-inch)
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 3 large potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 8 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 to 2 cups mixed vegetables, such as diced carrots, corn, or peas
- 1 1/2 pounds ground round beef
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Pepper and/or other seasonings of choice
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes: Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a medium-sized pot. Cover with at least an inch of cold water. Add a teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until tender, about 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Sauté the vegetables: While the potatoes are cooking, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until tender, about 6 to 10 minutes.
- If including vegetables, add them according to their cooking time. Carrots should be cooked with the onions, as they take as long to cook as the onions do. If including peas or corn, add them toward the end of cooking the onions, or after the meat starts to cook, as they take very little cooking time.
- Add ground beef to the pan with the onions and vegetables. Cook until no longer pink. Drain the excess fat from the pan, if necessary (anything more than 1 tablespoon). Season with salt and pepper.
- Add Worcestershire sauce and beef broth. Bring the broth to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, adding more beef broth if necessary to keep the meat from drying out.
- Taste the cooked filling and adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, or other seasonings of your choice.
- Mash the cooked potatoes: When the potatoes are done cooking (a fork can easily pierce), remove them from the pot and place them in a bowl with the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Mash with a fork or potato masher, taste, and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.
- Layer the meat mixture and mashed potatoes in a large baking dish (such as a 9 x 13-inch casserole). Spread the cooked filling in an even layer, then spread the mashed potatoes over the top. Rough up the surface of the mashed potatoes with a fork so there are peaks that will get well browned.
- Bake: Place in a 400°F oven and cook until browned and bubbling, about 30 minutes. If necessary, broil for the last few minutes to help the surface of the mashed potatoes brown.
- Be careful when broiling using Pyrex or glass dishes, as they have been known to shatter under the high heat of the broiler. It's not a worry if you are using a ceramic or metal casserole dish.
Notes
This Easy Shepherd's Pie is a versatile dish that can be customized with your favorite vegetables and seasonings. Feel free to experiment with different combinations to suit your taste preferences.