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Home » Main Dish Recipes » Beef Shepherd's Pie aka Cottage Pie

Beef Shepherd's Pie aka Cottage Pie

Modified: Jun 15, 2025 · Published: Jan 30, 2024 by Rufus · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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Beef Shepherd's Pie aka Cottage Pie is hearty beef and vegetables simmer in a delicious gravy, topped with buttery, cheesy Boursin mashed potatoes, and baked until everything comes together. It's comfort food at it's finest!

Serve it for dinner once and your family will sing your praises from now on. I promise.

Let's get started!

Jump to:
  • Pull Up A Chair and Let's Chat!
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Substitutions and Variations
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Beef Shepherd's Pie aka Cottage Pie Recipe
  • Storage and Reheating Instructions

And, if you've landed here looking for more delicious and simple comfort food recipes, you've found your spot!

Try my Beef Pot Roast, Herb Roasted Chicken, or even my One-Pot Chicken and Rice! They'll fill your bellies and make everything right in the world.

beef shepherd's pie in a large skillet with green onion and bacon garnish

Pull Up A Chair and Let's Chat!

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, Irish or English 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 in a large skillet with green onion and bacon garnish
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Beef Shepherd's Pie recipe gluten-free?

This recipe is easily made gluten-free by subbing out the AP flour for your favorite gluten-free blend.

What to serve with the Beef Shepherd's Pie?

Beef 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
Beer Bread

Simple Green Salad

Can I make this Beef Shepherd's Pie recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can! You can make the potatoes and/or meat veggie portion separately and ahead time and assemble later. Or, you can make the entire thing and just skip baking until you're ready. Store the unbaked Beef Shepherd's Pie covered in the fridge until you ready to cook!

serving spoon in a large skillet

Substitutions and Variations

  • You can use any ground protein you like. Chicken, pork, and even turkey would be great variations.
  • Add in any veggie you like for this beef shepherd's pie. This recipe is a great fridge clean out recipe! You can even use a bag of frozen mixed veg to keep it super simple.
  • If you're running short on time, you can use either a frozen tater tot or instant mashed potatoes. Either one would be great in a pinch!
  • Used mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes!

Tips and Tricks

  • Don't skimp on the Boursin. It makes the mashed potatoes so good!
  • If you don't use a food processor for the veggies, cut all of them roughly the same size. They'll cook at the same rate.
comfort food in a skillet
Shepherd's Pie comfort food in a skillet serving spoon in a large skillet

Beef Shepherd's Pie aka Cottage Pie Recipe

Print Recipe
Beef Shepherd's Pie aka Cottage Pie is as classic as a comfort food recipe can get. Hearty beef and vegetables simmer in a delicious gravy, topped with buttery, cheesy mashed potatoes, and baked until everything comes together!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword beef, gluten-free, ground beef, mashed potatoes
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Servings 8 servings
Calories 459
Author Rufus
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Equipment

  • chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • food processor
  • large cast iron skillet

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetable Mixture

  • 1 med onion
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 stalks celery
  • 8 oz mushrooms
  • 1 lb ground beef (or ground lamb) I recommend using a leaner blend for this recipe
  • 5 strips bacon, dice
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoon AP flour
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground sage
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 1-1½ cup green peas see note below

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. I like the size of the ground beef grind.
  • 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

I rarely put actual measured amounts for salt and pepper because it is such a personal preference. I suggest a healthy pinch of kosher salt and fresh ground pepper after you add each ingredient. Tasting as you go. This is the way to get it just right for you because you can always add it, but you can never take it out. 
You can use thawed green peas found in the freezer section or drained canned peas. Just be delicate with either when folding into the beef mixture. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 459kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 416mg | Potassium: 1129mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3076IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3mg

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store the Beef Shepherd's Pie leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave in 20-30 second increments covered with a damp paper towel.

I don't recommend freezing the leftovers. The potatoes can become gummy.

350

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

For more cozy meals, have a look at my top 10 Comfort Food Recipes!

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Comments

  1. Rhonda L says

    May 19, 2025 at 11:18 am

    5 stars
    excellent take on shepherd's pie! it has everything in it! sooo good and hardy!

    Reply
    • Rufus says

      May 22, 2025 at 2:32 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you, Rhonda!

      Reply
5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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