Shepherd’s Pie

Comfort food at its best! Fresh peas, carrots, and a savory homemade gravy combine to make a classic shepherd’s pie you’re sure to love. It’s my family’s favorite-ever dish!

Shepherd’s Pie – Comfort food at its best! Fresh peas, carrots, and a homemade gravy combine to make the best-ever classic shepherd's pie! | thecomfortofcooking.com

Yeah, okay. I totally should have made this before St. Patrick’s Day, but you know something? We enjoy this delicious Shepherd’s Pie year-round, and with fresh spring peas, carrots and parsley in abundance, I’d say now’s a better time than ever!

With a cold pint of beer, this meal is pretty much bliss in a baking dish. So, go have a salad for lunch. Then make this for dinner. Your salad-eatin’ self deserves it, so just savor it why dontcha!

Shepherd’s Pie – Comfort food at its best! Fresh peas, carrots, and a homemade gravy combine to make the best-ever classic shepherd's pie! | thecomfortofcooking.com

In a big hot pan, browned ground beef is combined with tender veggies and a savory homemade gravy. Slather on a thick layer of dreamy, creamy mashed potatoes, toss it under the broiler, and dinner is served! I like a little paprika and fresh parsley sprinkled on top, but if there’s no time for such nonsense in your kitchen, I understand. I do.

Shepherd’s Pie – Comfort food at its best! Fresh peas, carrots, and a homemade gravy combine to make the best-ever classic shepherd's pie! | thecomfortofcooking.com

Just make sure you’re cooking this alone or with someone who doesn’t mind a mashed potato spoon-licker.

… What? Don’t pretend like you don’t do it. It’s a must.

Shepherd’s Pie – Comfort food at its best! Fresh peas, carrots, and a homemade gravy combine to make the best-ever classic shepherd's pie! | thecomfortofcooking.com

This delicious Shepherd’s Pie (what some may also call “cottage pie”) is so good, my husband always asks for it on his birthday, Pi Day! While I have visions of cherry lattice and chocolate cream, his mind is stuck on this scrumptious savory pie brimming with hearty beef and potatoes.

I can’t exactly blame the man!

Shepherd’s Pie – Comfort food at its best! Fresh peas, carrots, and a homemade gravy combine to make the best-ever classic shepherd's pie! | thecomfortofcooking.com

And, yeah… about this. Just make it happen. Trust me and do it. Ketchup + shepherd’s pie = love.

You’ll absolutely enjoy this as much as we do, and though it takes a little work, the taste is well worth it. It may even inspire some spoon-licking of your own! Try it sometime for yourself and some friends with man-sized appetites. You’re gonna need them!

Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie

Yield: 4 to 5 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. yellow potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream or softened cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1-3/4 pounds ground beef
  • 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef stock or broth
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • Pinch of sweet paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley leaves

Instructions

  1. Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain potatoes and pour into a large bowl. Add sour cream, heavy cream, salt and pepper. Mash or blend with a hand mixer until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil to hot pan with beef. Season with salt and pepper. Brown and crumble meat for 3 or 4 minutes. If the pan is fatty, spoon away some of the drippings. Add chopped carrot and onion to the meat. Cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  3. Stir in butter until melted. Add flour and stir until combined. Whisk in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Thicken gravy for 1 minute. Stir in peas.
  4. Preheat broiler to high. Fill a small rectangular casserole with meat and vegetable mixture. Evenly spoon potatoes over meat. Sprinkle with paprika and broil 6 to 8 inches from the heat, until potatoes are evenly browned. Top with chopped parsley and serve.
  5. Enjoy!

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Join the Conversation

  1. I could honestly have shepherd’s pie all year long!

  2. This looks absolutely yummy. I can’t wait to try this one time.

  3. OK, this looks awesome!! It’s never the wrong time of year for a meal like this!!

  4. The beauty of having air conditioning that is included in my rent is that i can make dishes like this all summer long! Total comfort food.

  5. This sounds absolutely divine!!

  6. I could totally eat this pie all year long and honestly this recipe could not have come on a more perfect day……
    It is snowing here. Like full on snowing!! I want some comfort food!

  7. Shepherd’s Pie is one of my favorite meals and I don’t make it nearly often enough. That ketchup….that pie…..uggggh! Delicious!

  8. So so delicious! And the photos are so bright and beautiful!

  9. Your shepherd’s pie looks so tasty, love the natural light in your photos!

  10. If you say it’s the most amazing, I believe you! My fiance loves shepherd’s pie. I don’t even eat beef and this still looks SO GOOD Georgia!

  11. I’ve never made shepards pie but yours is looking so good, I need to try it!

  12. It does look mighty tasty! I’ll have to try topping it with ketchup – I bet I would love it.

  13. You make shepherd’s pie look sexy! OMG this looks good!

  14. Shepherd’s pie is one of my favourites, except I make the top with mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes!

  15. I am seriously drooling right now! Great looking sheperd’s pie and beautiful photos!!

  16. Looks so delicious, I’ve never had Shepherd’s Pie, only heard of it. I should make this with ground turkey.

  17. 5 stars
    This looks really incredible, Georgia! And I’ll eat Shepherd’s pie ANY time of year. I love it and often crave it. This does look truly amazing!

  18. We love shepherds pie, definitely a treat all year long! Love those outdoor photos!

  19. 5 stars
    Perfect comfort food!!!

  20. My mom’s favorite!! Next time she visits I’ll totally make your version (love her, despise her recipe;)

  21. i love making shepherds pie but I have to admit this really does look like the most amazing one! You’ve given me such a craving! I’m going to try your recipe this time!!

  22. 5 stars
    This was one of my favorite things my mom made for us growing up. I totally need to resurrect it. And yeah, I lick the spoon too!

  23. I have never had shepherd’s pie but it looks so delish! I must try and see what the fuss is about! Yummy!

  24. Talk about comfort food…..looks amazingly delicious and i seriously want this for dinner;-)

  25. 5 stars
    omg!! perfect comfort food and i love the ketchup shot! delicious condiment :D

  26. Oh my, I totally forgot about shepherds pie!!This used to be one of my favorite dishes. So glad I stumbled upon your recipe.

  27. Yum! I love shepherds pie … Pinning :)

  28. Jacob Vindman says:

    5 stars
    Just made this and it came out amaze balls.
    Wish I could upload pic it’s banging.

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