A classic casserole made of veggies, minced meat topped with a layer of cheesy mashed potatoes- shepherd’s pie is something you can never go wrong with.
Let’s face it- making a shepherd’s pie isn’t the easiest, and it does require a bit of kitchen time, but the result is an incredibly flavorful and cheesy meal you just can’t stop eating.
And if you’re a bit of a shepherd’s pie lover yourself, here’s something you wouldn’t want to miss.
Give this one a try- it is undoubtedly one of the simplest shepherd’s pie recipes out there, perfect for when you’re craving it but still want to put it together quickly. But before you jump right into the recipe, scroll down and keep reading to know more about it.
What Else Can I Add to the Shepherd's Pie?
For this recipe, I’m sticking to a simple garlic powder seasoning for the ground meat, but if you have a bit of extra time, you can add in a lot more seasonings, herbs, and spices into it, based on your personal preference. Chopped onions and tomatoes, herbs like parsley, basil, thyme, rosemary, and seasonings like black pepper, red pepper flakes, coriander powder, or even some Worcestershire sauce.
Can I Make a Vegetarian Version?
This epitome of rustic, wholesome food tastes best when you make it in a classic way, with ground meat. But if you’re really looking to try a vegetarian version, you could do that too.
You could skip the meat and add in more veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, peas, carrots, mushrooms, onions to add some bulk to the pie. You could also use cooked red lentils seasoned with your favorite spices as a replacement for the ground meat. Skip the cream of chicken soup, add some vegetable stock and you’re sorted.
Tips to Make the Shepherd’s Pie
Think you’re ready to give the recipe a try? Keep these little tips in mind to make sure you nail the recipe.
- I have used cheddar cheese for this recipe because that’s what I almost always have in my pantry. You could use practically any other cheese you have. Parmesan, in particular, is an excellent choice.
- Shepherd’s pie is traditionally made using ground beef or lamb, but you can still opt for other meat choices if you want to. Turkey and chicken are great too.
- For some extra tangy, saucy flavor and deliciousness, add 2-3 spoonfuls of tomato paste into the mix, while the veggies are still getting cooked.
- To lend some extra freshness into the pie, top it with some chopped cilantro or basil leaves right before you serve.
- Want to make this in advance and store it for later? Just assemble it and pop it into the freezer for up to 3 months!
Serving Ideas & Suggestions
Got your shepherd’s pie ready? You’ve got yourself a complete meal ready! You actually don’t need any extra effort to have another side dish when you’re serving this as a meal, but if you still want to, you can pair it with some baked green beans, air-fried cucumbers, or some air fryer avocado egg rolls.
Easy Shepherds Pie
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 oz package frozen mixed vegetables thawed
- 26 oz can cream of chicken soup
- 3-4 medium potatoes
- ¼ c parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 c cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Add the ground beef to a skillet and brown the meat, chopping it as it cooks, then drain the grease.
- Peel, wash, and cut potatoes into 2 inch cubes.
- Fill a large pot halfway with water, add potatoes and boil until potatoes are tender.
- Add the ground beef to a large bowl, then add in the mixed veggies and cream of chicken soup. Mix it all together, then pour into a 9x9 inch baking dish.
- Once potatoes are done, mash them (add a little butter and milk if you’d like), then add in parmesan cheese and garlic. Stir well, and spoon onto the top of the beef and vegetable mixture in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.
- Set the baking dish on a baking sheet (in case anything bubbles over while baking), and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melty and bubbly.
- Serve hot!
Leave a Reply