Name: Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef – Easy Recipes with Ground Beef for Comfort Food Nights
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 cup frozen peas and carrots; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 2 tablespoons flour; 3/4 cup beef broth; 4 cups mashed potatoes (prepared in advance or freshly mashed); 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, but oh-so-good)

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This cozy shepherd’s pie with ground beef is my go-to for busy weeknights and laid-back Sundays. It brings together rich beef, sweet peas, and buttery mashed potatoes into one golden, bubbling dish. Think of it as the warm hug your dinner plate has been missing. What I love most is how it uses pantry staples like ground beef, frozen peas, and potatoes to create something that tastes like it took hours. Truthfully, it’s done faster than you’d expect, especially if you multitask like a pro in the kitchen. And let’s not even talk about the leftovers—because there won’t be any. This recipe hits all the marks: it’s one of those easy recipes with ground beef, fits right in with quick and easy recipes, and feels like comfort food from the first bite. If you’re craving something homemade, hearty, and full of flavor, this shepherd’s pie might just be your new favorite.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef Recipe
3) Ingredients for Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef
4) How to Make Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef
5) Tips for Making Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef
6) Making Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef
8) Try these Ground beef next!
9) Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef
10) Nutrition

2) Easy Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef Recipe

When it’s cold, or I’ve had a long day, or I just want to feel like someone’s grandma is feeding me, this shepherd’s pie with ground beef is exactly what I make. You don’t need anything fancy, just a skillet, a casserole dish, and a little hunger. It’s one of those easy recipes with ground beef that always delivers, even if your fridge looks empty and your energy is on low.

We’re talking fluffy mashed potatoes on top, savory beef underneath, and a cheesy golden finish that could make you weep with joy. The main keyword here is comfort, and this pie nails it. Best of all, it’s budget-friendly, family-approved, and surprisingly simple for such a rich dish. If you’ve ever googled “quick and easy recipes” and felt overwhelmed, this one will restore your faith in dinner.

I like to think of this recipe as my weeknight hero. It checks all the boxes: easy recipes for dinner, comfort food easy recipes, and homemade easy recipes all in one. So yes, it’s not just a dish. It’s a lifeline on busy nights. And if you toss in a salad, look at you being balanced!

3) Ingredients for Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef

Ground Beef: I use one pound of ground beef, usually the 85/15 blend for a good balance of flavor and fat. It browns up quickly and gives this pie its savory heart.

Olive Oil: Just a tablespoon to sauté your onions and garlic. It adds that rich base flavor that makes the whole thing feel more homemade.

Onion: One small diced onion is all you need. Yellow or white—whichever you’ve got rolling around the pantry drawer.

Garlic: Two cloves, minced. Don’t skip it unless you’re planning on offending Italians everywhere.

Tomato Paste: A spoonful adds depth and makes the meat feel like it’s been simmering all day. Spoiler: it hasn’t.

Peas and Carrots: I go with the frozen mix here. One cup. No chopping, no fuss. Just pour and stir.

Salt & Pepper: Simple, yes, but absolutely necessary. Don’t let anyone convince you these two don’t matter.

Flour: A couple tablespoons thicken the beef mixture, turning it into a rich gravy without needing a fancy sauce.

Beef Broth: Three-quarters of a cup adds just enough moisture and deep beefy flavor to bring it all together.

Mashed Potatoes: Four cups, either freshly whipped or from yesterday’s dinner. They’re the fluffy lid on this savory pie.

Cheddar Cheese (optional): A handful of shredded cheddar across the top is the difference between “yum” and “OH YES.”

4) How to Make Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. That’s hot enough to crisp the top without turning the whole pie into lava.

Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a skillet and toss in your diced onion and garlic. Let them soften up and smell amazing.

Step 3: Add the ground beef. Break it up as it cooks until no pink remains and you’ve got some good browning happening.

Step 4: Stir in the tomato paste, salt, pepper, and flour. Cook it down for a couple minutes to coat everything evenly.

Step 5: Pour in the beef broth and stir. Toss in your peas and carrots and simmer the whole mixture until it thickens slightly.

Step 6: Spread the beef filling in a baking dish—an 8×8 works well for this amount. Smooth it into an even layer.

Step 7: Spoon or spread the mashed potatoes over the top. Swirl them into peaks or flatten them like a calm pond—it’s your pie.

Step 8: Sprinkle cheese over the top if using. Pop the whole thing into the oven for 20 minutes until it’s bubbly and golden.

Step 9: Let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Then dig in. Carefully. Don’t burn your tongue like I always do.

5) Tips for Making Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef

Use leftover mashed potatoes. Honestly, shepherd’s pie was invented for leftover potatoes. Don’t waste a good excuse to avoid peeling and mashing again.

Thicken it right. That little bit of flour is key. Without it, you’ll have a watery mess under that potato blanket. Use it and give the pie its structure.

Don’t skip the cheese. Even if it’s optional. A bit of cheddar on top adds color, crunch, and cheesy magic. You’ll thank me later.

6) Making Shepherd’s Pie Ahead of Time

If you’re a planner (or just someone who hits the wall by 5 PM), this recipe is your friend. You can assemble the whole thing up to two days in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.

Cover it tightly with foil so it doesn’t dry out. When you’re ready to cook, pull it out, uncover it, and bake it as usual. Maybe give it an extra five minutes to warm through, especially if it’s straight from the fridge.

This dish tastes even better the next day, once the flavors have had time to sit together and chat. And that’s the beauty of homemade easy recipes—they keep on giving.

7) Storing Leftover Shepherd’s Pie

Leftovers? You glorious unicorn. Store any remaining pie in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep for up to four days. Reheat in the oven or microwave, but if you go microwave, cover it with a paper towel to keep the splatter gods at bay.

If you want to freeze it, you can! Wrap it well in foil or plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It’ll hold up for about two months. Let it thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Just be warned: reheated shepherd’s pie is known to vanish quickly. Plan accordingly, or double the batch next time.

8) Try these Ground beef next!

9) Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef

10) Nutrition