Print

Cozy Shepherds Pie with Ground Beef and Cheddar

shepherds pie with ground beef and cheddar - featured image
Print Recipe

A comforting and easy homemade shepherd’s pie featuring savory ground beef, tender vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, and a melty sharp cheddar topping. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) 80/20 ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 1 cup (150g) frozen peas
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240ml) low sodium beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 pounds (900g) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 4 tablespoons (57g) butter, divided
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk
  • 1 1/2 cups (150g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Peel and chop Yukon Gold potatoes into roughly 1-inch pieces. Place in a large pot, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, bring to a boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender.
  2. While potatoes cook, heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and diced carrots; cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Add ground beef to skillet, break up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste; cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Sprinkle flour over beef mixture and stir to coat evenly. Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce; stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in frozen peas and fresh thyme (optional). Remove from heat.
  6. Drain cooked potatoes and return to pot. Add 3 tablespoons butter and warm milk; mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper, adding more milk if mash is too stiff.
  7. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread beef and vegetable filling evenly in a 9×9-inch baking dish. Dollop mashed potatoes over filling and smooth the top. Sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the mash.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. For extra crispy top, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  9. Let shepherd’s pie rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow filling to set.

Notes

Use freshly shredded sharp cheddar for best melting and texture. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch and verify Worcestershire sauce ingredients. Dairy-free options include plant-based butter, milk, and cheese. Let the pie rest after baking to set the filling and prevent mess when serving. You can broil the top for 2-3 minutes for extra crispiness but watch carefully to avoid burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: shepherd's pie, ground beef, cheddar, comfort food, easy dinner, cozy meal, homemade, mashed potatoes, savory, cheesy

Find it online: https://wigglebite.com/cozy-shepherds-pie-with-ground-beef-and-cheddar-easy-homemade-recipe/