Beef Shepherd’s Pie aka Cottage Pie is as classic as a comfort food recipe can get. And, what’s not to love?! Hearty beef and vegetables simmer in a delicious gravy, topped with buttery, cheesy mashed potatoes, and baked until everything comes together. Serve it for dinner once and your family will sing your praises from now on. I promise.
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What is Shepherd’s Pie exactly? It’s an amazing, layered comfort food recipe that will please even the pickiest of palates. A base of savory beef (or lamb) is combined with perfectly tender vegetables and a delectable gravy. Topped with creamy mashed potatoes, this shepherd’s pie recipe goes into the oven to get bubbly hot and develop a nice crust. Serve alongside some crusty bread and you will have everyone asking for seconds!
Now, let’s talk about something controversial. Is it Shepherd’s Pie or is it Cottage Pie? Traditionally, Shepherd’s Pie is made with ground lamb, but I’ve developed this recipe with beef just because its more readily available in my area. Cottage Pie is Shepherd’s Pie made with ground beef. Some people will get up in arms about this, but don’t worry. All that matters is that this recipe is amazing. And, it is.
beef shepherd’s pie ingredients
- ground beef or ground lamb
- bacon
- onion
- garlic
- celery
- carrot
- mushrooms
- green peas
- tomato paste
- flour or gluten-free flour
- beef stock
- Yukon Gold potatoes
- Boursin cheese
- heavy cream
- parmesan cheese
- kosher salt
- fresh ground pepper
how to make shepherd’s pie
prep the veggies
Prepping the veggies before we get started will make this process super easy. Peel and cut the potatoes. Rough chop the carrot, celery, onion, garlic, and mushrooms.
Add the carrots, celery, garlic, and mushrooms to a food processor, pulsing they are uniform in shape and size. I try to get mine similar to the size of the ground beef so my kids can’t see them.
render the bacon and cook the beef and veggies
Add the bacon to a large (oven-safe) skillet on medium-high heat. Once the bacon is cooked, remove it and set aside. Add the ground beef (or lamb) to the skillet along with the rendered bacon fat, onion, pulsed veggies. Season at this point with a large pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper.
the potatoes
While the ground beef and vegetables cook, add the potatoes to a large pot of cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork tender – about 15-20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and mash with the Boursin, cream, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper. Fold in the 3/4 of the cooked bacon and set aside.
the sauce
Add the tomato paste, oregano, thyme, and sage to the skillet with the beef, stirring to combine. Stir in the flour and cook for just a few minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Add the beef broth, whisking to prevent clumps. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
finishing the beef shepherd’s pie
One the sauce has thickened, taste the mixture and check for salt and pepper. Add if you so desire. Gently stir in the peas.
Dollop the mashed potatoes on top of the beef mixture and smooth out a bit. This does not have to be perfect or fancy. I don’t do mine like that and neither should you. Add grated parmesan to the top of the potatoes.
Add the skillet into a preheated 350° oven for 30 minutes or until bubbly. If you would like a crispier top, simply let it hang out under the broiler for a couple of minutes. Remove from the oven, garnish with green onion tops and remaining bacon. Serve and enjoy!
frequently asked questions
This recipe is easily made gluten-free by subbing out the AP flour for your favorite gluten-free blend. I’ve linked my favorite brand below!
Shepherd’s Pie is a full meal in one dish. However, a simple salad and a side of bread would be a perfect addition to this classic comfort meal.
Try my:
Classic Wedge Salad
Grilled Caesar Salad
No Knead Bread
Sour Cream Biscuits
I have the perfect solution for those wanting a little lighter take on classic comfort food. Skip the potatoes, and use cauliflower instead! I have an amazing Mashed Cauliflower Recipe that’s great on it’s own, but would be the perfect top for this Beef Shepherd’s Pie.
other great comfort food recipes
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Beef Shepherd’s Pie aka Cottage Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetable Mixture
- 5 strips bacon, diced
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground lamb) I recommend using a leaner blend for this recipe
- 1 med onion, diced
- 2 carrots, rough chopped
- 2 stalks celery, rough chopped
- 8 oz mushrooms, rough chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp AP flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground sage
- kosher salt, to taste
- fresh ground pepper, to taste
Mashed Potatoes
- 2-2½ lbs Yukon Gold potatoes
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 round Boursin cheese I used the garlic and chive
- parmesan cheese, for sprinkling on top measure with your heart
Instructions
- Prep the veggies. Peel and cut the potatoes into large chunks. Rough chop the carrot, celery, garlic, and mushroom. Dice the onion.
- Add the carrots, celery, garlic, and mushrooms to a food processor, pulsing they are uniform in shape and size.
- Add the bacon to a large (oven-safe) skillet on medium-high heat. Once the bacon is cooked, remove it and set aside.
- Add the ground beef (or ground lamb) to the skillet with the bacon fat along with the onion and pulsed veggies.
- While the ground beef and vegetables cook, add the potatoes to a large pot of cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork tender – about 15-20 minutes. Drain the potatoes and mash with the Boursin, cream, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper. Fold in ¾ of the cooked bacon and set aside.
- Add the tomato paste, thyme, oregano, and sage to the skillet with the beef, stirring to combine. Stir in the flour and cook for just a few minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Add the beef broth, whisking to prevent clumps. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Once the sauce has thickened, taste the mixture and check for salt and pepper. Add if you so desire. Gently stir in the peas.
- Dollop the mashed potatoes on top of the beef mixture and smooth out a bit. Top with a healthy shower of grated parmesan cheese.
- Add the skillet into a preheated 350° oven for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Put under the broiler for an optional few minutes to crisp up the top. Remove from the oven, garnish with green onion tops and remaining bacon. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Beef Shepherd’s Pie recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! And, please leave a comment or review. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
–Rufus
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