Protein-packed ground beef, frozen mixed vegetables, and store-bought mashed potatoes make the easiest Shepherd’s Pie! It is a full meal in itself and comes together in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights when you need a nutritious and filling meal!
Ingredients For Easy Shepherd’s Pie
- Lean ground beef
- Onion
- Frozen mixed vegetables
- Tomato paste
- Worcestershire sauce
- Dried basil
- Dried oregano
- Dried thyme
- Salt and pepper
- Beef broth
- All-purpose flour
- Refrigerated mashed potatoes
How To Make Easy Shepherd’s Pie
- Spray a 2 ½- quart oval baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Brown the ground beef along with the onions and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the frozen vegetables, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until heated through.
- Dissolve the all-purpose flour into the beef broth and add to the skillet. Simmer until thickened, for about 2-3 minutes.
- Spoon the mixture into the baking dish, spread the mashed potatoes evenly on top, and bake for 20 minutes or until heated through.
What Can I Substitute For Ground Beef?
For a lighter meal, you can use ground chicken or turkey. Ground pork can be used for added flavor. Just make sure to cook it with the onions and garlic until fully cooked.
How Do I Know When The Ground Beef Is Fully Cooked?
Ground beef is fully cooked when there is no pink left in the crumbles. You can break apart a few and check.
What’s The Best Way To Thicken The Pie Filling?
By adding a slurry of flour and beef broth and adding it to the meat mixture. The flour helps create a thick gravy that holds everything together.
30-Minute Easy Shepherd’s Pie
Equipment
- 2 ½-quart baking dish
- Large skillet
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb lean ground beef
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 1- 12 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables
- 5 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1- 24 oz refrigerated mashed potatoes
Instructions
- Spray a 2 ½- quart oval baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Brown the ground beef along with the onions and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the frozen vegetables, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until heated through.
- Dissolve the all-purpose flour into the beef broth and add to the skillet. Simmer until thickened, for about 2-3 minutes.
- Spoon the mixture into the baking dish, spread the mashed potatoes evenly on top, and bake for 20 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions about Shepherd’s Pie
1. Can I Use Other Vegetables Besides The Mixed Veggies Suggested?
You can use any chopped frozen veggies you have on hand. Take this opportunity to do a freezer clean!
2. Why Do I Need To Bake The Shepherd’s Pie If Everything Is Already Cooked?
Baking the dish makes all the flavors marry and mingle together. It also cooks the veggies until tender. Separate cooked ingredients don’t taste the same as baking them all together.
3. How Can I Make The Pie Cheesy?
To make it cheesy all you have to do is sprinkle shredded cheddar over the mashed potatoes before baking the pie.
4. What If I Don’t Know The Size Of My Baking Dish?
To test the capacity of your baking dish, fill it with water and measure that amount of water. Fill it with 2 ½ quarts of water and see if it doesn’t overflow. This recipe calls for a 2 ½ qt baking dish. Make sure you dry it off thoroughly before placing the food inside.
