Shepherds Pie Ground Beef (Printable)

Hearty casserole with savory ground beef, vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes baked golden.

# What You’ll Need:

→ For the Filling

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 large carrots, diced
05 - 1.1 lbs ground beef
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 1 cup frozen peas
08 - 1 cup frozen corn
09 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
12 - 1 cup beef broth
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ For the Mashed Potato Topping

14 - 2.5 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
15 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
16 - 1/2 cup milk (more as needed)
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Garnish

18 - Chopped fresh parsley

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain, mash with butter and milk, and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
03 - While potatoes cook, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and carrots; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
04 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
05 - Add tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Stir well.
06 - Pour in beef broth, bring to a simmer, and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add peas and corn; season with salt and pepper.
07 - Transfer beef mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the top. Use a fork to create texture.
08 - Bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and filling is bubbling.
09 - Broil for 2-3 minutes for a crispier potato topping, if desired.
10 - Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if using.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything you need cozy happens in one pan with minimal cleanup afterward
  • The mashed potato topping gets those irresistible crispy edges everyone fights over
  • It reheats beautifully and actually tastes better the next day
  • You can hide whatever vegetables need using up inside and nobody complains
02 -
  • The mashed potato layer works best when its slightly thicker than youd normally serve
  • Creating texture with a fork isnt just for looks, it creates more crispy surface area
  • Letting it rest before serving feels impossible but keeps everything from sliding apart
03 -
  • If the filling seems too saucy, let it simmer a few minutes longer before assembling
  • Brushing the potato tops with a little melted butter helps them brown beautifully
  • A glass baking dish lets you see exactly when the edges are bubbling

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