Quick, healthy, and bursting with flavor – that’s our Best Quick Easy Shepherd’s Pie! As a busy mom, I know how hard it is to get a delicious, home-cooked meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe has been a lifesaver, and I’m so excited to share it with you.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
My grandmother was famous for her shepherd’s pie. It was a weekend undertaking, a labor of love that filled the house with the most comforting aromas. While I cherished those memories (and her pie!), I needed something faster. This Best Quick Easy Shepherd’s Pie captures the essence of her recipe – the rich savory meat, the creamy mashed potato topping – but cuts the prep time in half. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a classic dish on a weeknight!
Ingredients
For the Meat Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
- 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe
- Prepare the Potatoes: Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Cook the Meat: While potatoes cook, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef or lamb and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add Vegetables & Aromatics: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in frozen mixed vegetables, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer the Filling: Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Mash the Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot. Add milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Pie: Pour the meat filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top of the meat filling.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are lightly golden brown.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious Best Quick Easy Shepherd’s Pie!
Best Quick Easy Shepherd’s Pie
Quick, healthy, and bursting with flavor! This shepherd’s pie captures the essence of a classic dish but cuts the prep time in half.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Potatoes: Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.2 pounds russet potatoes
- Cook the Meat: While potatoes cook, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef or lamb and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- Add Vegetables & Aromatics: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in frozen mixed vegetables, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper.1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Simmer the Filling: Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Mash the Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot. Add milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy.2 pounds russet potatoes, 1/2 cup milk, 4 tablespoons butter, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Assemble the Pie: Pour the meat filling into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top of the meat filling.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are lightly golden brown.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your delicious Best Quick Easy Shepherd’s Pie!