Traditional Shepherd’s Pie, also known as Cottage Pie, originates from Scotland and it is a British casserole dish. In our home, we have prepared homemade Shepherd’s Pie many times, it is such a comfort food, making it always a delicious dinner. It’s undoubtedly one of our favorite dishes. The best way is to make Shepherd’s Pie with leftover mashed potatoes. Also, when making mashed potatoes, consider making a larger batch to use for Shepherd’s Pie the next day.

Before starting, come and follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

What’s in the Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie has various versions, and over time, the recipe has evolved. Traditionally, Shepherd’s Pie is made from flavorful ground beef or ground lamb and is covered with mashed potatoes. Green beans are also often added to the filling. I prefer making it without beans, and I always top the mashed potatoes with plenty of cheddar cheese. So, I’ve broken some rules, but I believe the result is worth it.

Potato Topping

Shepherd’s Pie must be a layer of creamy mashed potatoes. I’ve tried making it without milk and fat, but the result is dry and too dense. So, I always add milk and fat to the mashed potatoes.

Ground Meat Filling

Despite the traditional use of lamb, I usually use a combination of beef and pork for the filling because this meat mixture is our family’s favorite. This recipe is excellent for using frozen minced meat directly without waiting for it to thaw. When using minced meat from the fridge, I first thaw it in a pan with a little water, and only later, after it has thawed, I add oil and brown it. However, I often skip browning the minced meat altogether. As always, you can do it your way.

Tomato Sauce

Now, let’s talk a bit about the tomato sauce that ties the whole dish together. I strive to use as few commercially prepared ingredients as possible when cooking at home. The reason is mainly that commercially available tomato pastes have unnecessary additives, and those who follow my cooking know that I wouldn’t say I like unnecessary additives. Making homemade tomato sauce is so easy that, in doing so, you’re kind to both your wallet and your stomach.

Ingredients

Check the recipe card below the post for ingredient quantities and nutritional value.

Potatoes – enough for about half more than the quantity of minced meat.

Minced meat – Use any red meat you like. 

Tomatoes – soft and sweet tomatoes are ideal. Take the same amount of tomatoes as minced meat.

Brown sugar – a little is needed for making tomato sauce. You may use white sugar as well. 

(Tomato paste – if you prefer not to make your own tomato sauce, you can buy ready-made tomato paste or ketchup.)

Cheese – adding cheese enhances the flavor of many delicious dishes. Therefore, a little regular cheese is essential for this dish.

Salt

Black pepper

How to Make Shepherd’s Pie

1. First, prepare mashed potatoes (a detailed mashed potato recipe is here). Peel the potatoes and cook them. If you have very large potatoes, you can cut them into smaller pieces to boil faster. Potatoes need to boil for about 30-40 minutes.
2. Just before the potatoes are soft, it’s a good time to take a small pan or pot and heat milk and butter.
3. When the potatoes are soft, drain the water from the pot.
4. Pour hot milk with butter over the potatoes and mash them with a potato masher until a smooth potato mass is obtained.
5. Cut the tomatoes. There is no need to make tomato pieces too small because when heated in the pan, they get mushy anyway. If you wish, you can peel the tomatoes, but I never do.
6. Take a large skillet, set the stove on medium-high heat, and add the chopped tomatoes. Ideally, the skillet should be large enough to fit minced meat and mashed potatoes on top (the whole dish). Still, if you don’t have such a large pan, the whole dish can be prepared later on a baking sheet.
7. Add salt and pepper to the chopped tomatoes and heat them until the tomatoes are completely soft. Add just a little bit of water if needed and stir continuously so the tomatoes won’t burn on the bottom of the pan. 
8. When the tomato sauce is ready, mix raw minced meat into it and bake them together until the minced meat is cooked. You may also add some olive oil for flavor. 
9. Remove the pan from the heat.
10. Add mashed potato topping to the minced meat sauce and spread it step by step. Do not lift the entire mashed potatoes onto the pan at once, it isn’t easy to spread an even layer that way. If you do not have a large enough pan, take a separate baking dish and place the ingredients there instead.
11. Once you have spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the minced meat, add cheese on top. You can use both sliced cheese and grated cheese – both will melt evenly.
12. Now, place the pan or baking dish in the oven and bake the entire dish at 200°C (400°F) for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese starts bubbling on top and goes nicely golden brown.
13. Let the dish cool slightly before serving, as it is otherwise impossible to eat, and lifting it will crumble.

Ideas and Tips

• If you want to make this dish in large quantities, I have used a dutch oven and alternately stacked several layers of minced meat, mashed potatoes, and cheese until the pot is full.
• With this recipe, you can easily use last night’s leftover mashed potatoes. 
• This dish goes very well with cottage cheese. I would even say it is essential.
• I like to keep all my recipes as simple and basic as possible. Then there is room for imagination! People also don’t get discouraged if they don’t have some (unnecessary) ingredients at home. Therefore, you can add various fresh vegetables that come to mind. Or, why not use leftover vegetables? 
• Do not put a teflon pan or any other unreliable non-stick pan in the oven. If you have such a pan, the best thing is to throw it in the trash (they’re toxic) and invest in a stainless steel or cast iron skillet!

I truly hope you found this easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe helpful and this classic dish feeds your entire family. And I’m pretty sure, that if this is your first time making this amazing meat pie, it won’t be your last!

Continue to Content

Easy Shepherd's Pie with Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Additional Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

In our home, we have prepared homemade Shepherd's Pie many times, it is such a comfort food, making it always a delicious dinner.

Print

Ingredients

• 1kg of potatoes
• 500g of ground meet (beef, lamb, or pork)
• 500g of tomatoes
• 1 tsp of brown sugar (or white)
• (Optional - 500g (1 lb) of tomato paste instead of sugar and tomatoes)
• 150g of cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. First, prepare mashed potatoes (a detailed mashed potato recipe is here). Peel the potatoes and cook them. If you have very large potatoes, you can cut them into smaller pieces to boil faster. Potatoes need to boil for about 30-40 minutes.
2. Just before the potatoes are soft, it's a good time to take a small pan or pot and heat milk and butter.
3. When the potatoes are soft, drain the water from the pot.
4. Pour hot milk with butter over the potatoes and mash them with a potato masher until a smooth potato mass is obtained.
5. Cut the tomatoes. There is no need to make tomato pieces too small because when heated in the pan, they get mushy anyway. If you wish, you can peel the tomatoes, but I never do.
6. Take a large skillet, set the stove on medium-high heat, and add the chopped tomatoes. Ideally, the skillet should be large enough to fit minced meat and mashed potatoes on top (the whole dish). Still, if you don't have such a large pan, the whole dish can be prepared later on a baking sheet.
7. Add salt and pepper to the chopped tomatoes and heat them until the tomatoes are completely soft. Add just a little bit of water if needed and stir continuously so the tomatoes won't burn on the bottom of the pan.
8. When the tomato sauce is ready, mix raw minced meat into it and bake them together until the minced meat is cooked. You may also add some olive oil for flavor.
9. Remove the pan from the heat.
10. Add mashed potato topping to the minced meat sauce and spread it step by step. Do not lift the entire mashed potatoes onto the pan at once, it isn't easy to spread an even layer that way. If you do not have a large enough pan, take a separate baking dish and place the ingredients there instead.
11. Once you have spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the minced meat, add cheese on top. You can use both sliced cheese and grated cheese - both will melt evenly.
12. Now, place the pan or baking dish in the oven and bake the entire dish at 200°C (400°F) for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese starts bubbling on top and goes nicely golden brown.
13. Let the dish cool slightly before serving, as it is otherwise impossible to eat, and lifting it will crumble.
    

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 417Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 353mgCarbohydrates: 62gFiber: 7gSugar: 9gProtein: 16g