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 Boursin 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.
Let's get started!
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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, 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.
What You'll Need
Ground Beef (or lamb) - For the protein portion of the festivities. I stick with beef for the availability and always have some in the freezer for a rainy day. I recommend using a lean blend.
Bacon - For it's fat content and for the incredible flavor. You'll cook the beef and veggies in it. Your kitchen will very soon like you know how to rule the world. And, you do! You, hero, you!
Onion, Garlic, Celery, Mushrooms - The veggies we will pulse in the food processor. They give this recipe incredible flavor, but by breaking them down, they blend seamlessly into the beef. AKA I'm hiding them from my kids.
Green Peas - A classic add-in. You can also use corn.
Boursin Mashed Potatoes - You read that right. Grab some potatoes, Boursin, Heavy Cream, and Parm. I'll show you how to make the most incredible potato topping that has even happened in the history of beef shepherd's pie.
The Sauce - Tomato paste, ap flour, and beef stock come together to create a luscious sauce. It's very much tasty.
Tools You'll Need
I have a secret trick for creating a ton of flavor with fresh ingredients and minimal prep work. In other words, I'm kinda lazy so I'm always looking for a good cheat. Enter: The Food Processor.
I pulse the onion, garlic, carrot, celery, and mushrooms in a food processor until they are about the same size as the ground beef grind. Doing this allows them to kind of melt into the ground beef. It adds flavor and hides the unspeakable vegetables from unsuspecting children. It's a win-win!
The food processor linked below is the exact model I have and that I bought with my own money. It's a work horse and is also a blender and comes with a couple blender bottles. I highly recommend!
Buy Now → 
How To Do It: Meat Pie 101
While this recipe is super simple, it does take a few steps. I've give you the basic rundown here. The specifics will live in the recipe card below.
- Prep the veggies.
- Render bacon.
- Cook the beef and veggies in the bacon fat.
- Prepare the most wonderful Boursin mashed potatoes known to woman (or man).
- Make the sauce and finish in the oven.
A Word About Boursin Mashed Potatoes
For the mashed potato topping, I make a Boursin mashed potato that is a total game-changer.
First off, what is Boursin? Boursin is a brand of a soft, creamy, spreadable French cheese. There are several different flavor options, and I love them all. For this recipe, I grabbed the garlic and herb flavor, but they are all good. You can find it in the deli/specialty refrigerated in most grocery stores.
By adding a round of your favorite Boursin, you take the potatoes from good to amazing. The flavor and texture becomes incredible. If you listen any recommendation on this page, let it be this. Use the Boursin.
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
Could I make this Beef Shepherd's Pie lower-carb?
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.
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!
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.
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!
Recipe
Beef Shepherd's Pie aka Cottage Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetable Mixture
- 5 strips bacon, dice
- 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 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.
- 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
If you guys make this Beef Shepherd's Pie Recipe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!
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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