Top 12 Best Shepherd’s Pie Recipe Collection
Nothing beats a hearty shepherd’s pie when you need comfort food that fills the whole family. These classic recipes transform simple ingredients into bubbling, golden casseroles.
From traditional lamb versions to creative twists with sweet potatoes and international flavors, there’s a perfect shepherd’s pie for every taste preference.
01. Irish-Style Lamb Shepherd’s Pie
Traditional ground lamb shepherd’s pie with creamy Irish cheddar mashed potatoes. This authentic recipe delivers rich, savory flavors in every comforting bite.
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground lamb, 2 pounds Yukon potatoes, 1 cup Irish cheddar cheese shredded, 1 large onion diced, 2 carrots diced, 1 cup frozen peas, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, ½ cup heavy cream, 4 tablespoons butter, salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make Irish-Style Lamb Shepherd’s Pie
1. Boil peeled and chunked potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain thoroughly and mash with butter, cream, and half the cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy. Season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Brown ground lamb in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon. Add diced onion and carrots, cooking until vegetables soften and lamb is completely cooked through, about 8 minutes total.
3. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and frozen peas. Simmer until liquid reduces slightly and mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
4. Transfer meat mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish. Drop large spoonfuls of mashed potatoes evenly across the surface, then gently spread to cover completely. Sprinkle remaining cheddar on top and bake at 400°F for 25 minutes until golden brown.
02. Classic Mixed Meat Shepherd’s Pie
Rich shepherd’s pie combining ground lamb and sirloin beef for ultimate flavor depth. The creamy cheese-topped potato layer creates the perfect golden crust when baked.
Ingredients: 1 pound ground lamb, 1 pound ground sirloin, 3 pounds russet potatoes, 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated, 1 large yellow onion chopped, 3 cloves garlic minced, 2 tablespoons flour, 1½ cups beef stock, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, ½ cup sour cream, 4 tablespoons butter, olive oil for cooking.
How To Make Classic Mixed Meat Shepherd’s Pie
1. Peel and quarter potatoes, then boil in heavily salted water until completely tender when pierced with a fork, approximately 18 minutes. Drain well and mash with butter, sour cream, and half the cheddar until perfectly smooth.
2. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown both ground meats together, breaking them apart as they cook. This should take about 6-8 minutes for proper browning and flavor development.
3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the meat, cooking until onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir constantly for 2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
4. Gradually pour in beef stock while stirring to prevent lumps. Add fresh thyme and simmer until sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon, roughly 8 minutes.
5. Spoon meat mixture into a buttered 9×13 casserole dish and spread evenly. Top with mashed potatoes, creating peaks with a fork for extra browning surface. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes until beautifully golden.
03. Simple Traditional Lamb Pie
Quick and easy shepherd’s pie using basic pantry ingredients and ground lamb. This budget-friendly recipe proves that simple ingredients can create absolutely delicious comfort food.
Ingredients: 1½ pounds ground lamb, 2 pounds potatoes, 1 large onion diced, 2 carrots chopped, 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 cup lamb or beef stock, 2 teaspoons dried herbs, ½ cup milk, 3 tablespoons butter, salt and black pepper.
How To Make Simple Traditional Lamb Pie
1. Cook peeled and chopped potatoes in boiling salted water until soft and mashable, about 16 minutes. Drain completely and mash with butter and milk until smooth and creamy. Season well with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Brown ground lamb in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Once lamb is fully browned, add diced onion and chopped carrots, cooking until vegetables begin to soften, approximately 6 minutes.
3. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until it darkens slightly. Add frozen mixed vegetables, stock, and dried herbs. Let mixture simmer until liquid reduces and thickens, about 10 minutes.
4. Transfer lamb mixture to a greased 8×8 baking dish and top with mashed potatoes, spreading evenly to edges. Use a fork to create texture on surface for better browning. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until top is golden brown and filling bubbles around edges.
04. Paleo Cauliflower Shepherd’s Pie
Grain-free shepherd’s pie featuring cauliflower mash instead of potatoes and coconut oil. This healthy version uses grass-fed beef for maximum nutrition and flavor.
Ingredients: 2 pounds grass-fed ground beef, 1 large head cauliflower cut into florets, 3 tablespoons coconut oil, 1 large onion diced, 3 carrots chopped, 1 cup frozen peas, 3 cloves garlic minced, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tablespoons coconut cream, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, salt and pepper.
How To Make Paleo Cauliflower Shepherd’s Pie
1. Steam cauliflower florets until very tender, about 12 minutes. Drain thoroughly and mash with coconut cream and 1 tablespoon coconut oil until smooth and creamy. Season generously with salt and pepper for best flavor.
2. Heat remaining coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown ground beef completely, breaking it apart as it cooks. This should take about 8 minutes for proper browning and texture.
3. Add diced onion, chopped carrots, and minced garlic to beef. Cook until vegetables soften and become fragrant, approximately 6 minutes. Stir in frozen peas and dried thyme.
4. Pour beef broth into skillet and simmer until liquid reduces by half and mixture thickens, about 8 minutes. Let filling cool slightly before assembling to prevent cauliflower mash from melting.
5. Spread meat mixture in a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with cauliflower mash, spreading evenly and creating peaks with a fork. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes until top is golden and filling is bubbling hot.
05. Cheesy Ground Beef Shepherd’s Pie
Easy ground beef shepherd’s pie topped with cheddar cheese mashed potatoes. Adding cooked barley to the meat mixture creates extra heartiness and texture.
Ingredients: 1½ pounds ground beef, 2½ pounds Yukon potatoes, 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded, ½ cup cooked barley, 1 onion chopped, 2 celery stalks diced, 2 carrots diced, 2 tablespoons flour, 1½ cups beef gravy, ½ cup heavy cream, 4 tablespoons butter.
How To Make Cheesy Ground Beef Shepherd’s Pie
1. Boil peeled and cubed potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, roughly 15 minutes. Drain well and mash with butter, cream, and cheddar cheese until perfectly smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once beef is fully browned, add chopped onion, diced celery, and diced carrots. Cook until vegetables soften, about 7 minutes.
3. Sprinkle flour over meat and vegetable mixture, stirring constantly for 2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste. Gradually add beef gravy while stirring to prevent lumps from forming.
4. Stir in cooked barley and simmer mixture until thickened and bubbly, approximately 5 minutes. The barley adds wonderful texture and makes the dish more filling and satisfying.
5. Pour meat mixture into a buttered 9×13 baking dish and spread evenly. Top with cheesy mashed potatoes, creating decorative peaks with a fork for extra browning surface. Bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top.
06. Lean Beef Shepherd’s Pie
Popular shepherd’s pie made with lean ground beef and rich beef broth. This versatile recipe works beautifully with any ground meat you prefer using.
Ingredients: 2 pounds lean ground beef, 3 pounds russet potatoes, 1 large onion diced, 3 carrots chopped, 1 cup frozen corn, 2 cups beef broth, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, ½ cup whole milk, 4 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons olive oil.
How To Make Lean Beef Shepherd’s Pie
1. Peel and quarter potatoes, then boil in well-salted water until completely tender, about 18 minutes. Drain thoroughly and mash with butter and milk until smooth and fluffy. Season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown ground beef completely, breaking it apart as it cooks. Since this is lean beef, be careful not to overcook and dry it out.
3. Add diced onion and chopped carrots to the beef, cooking until vegetables begin to soften and onion becomes translucent, approximately 6 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, then add frozen corn. Simmer mixture until liquid reduces and creates a rich, thick sauce that coats the meat and vegetables, about 10 minutes.
5. Transfer beef mixture to a greased 9×13 casserole dish and spread evenly. Top with mashed potatoes, using a fork to create attractive peaks and valleys for better browning. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes until beautifully golden brown.
07. Scottish Guinness Shepherd’s Pie
Unique Scottish-inspired shepherd’s pie with Guinness beer and smoked paprika. The combination of lamb, stout, and sharp cheddar creates incredible smoky-sweet flavors throughout.
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground lamb, 2½ pounds potatoes, 1 cup Guinness stout, 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese grated, 1 large onion chopped, 2 cloves garlic minced, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 cup lamb stock, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ cup heavy cream, 3 tablespoons butter.
How To Make Scottish Guinness Shepherd’s Pie
1. Cook peeled and chunked potatoes in boiling salted water until fork-tender, approximately 16 minutes. Drain completely and mash with butter, cream, and half the cheddar cheese until smooth. Add smoked paprika for distinctive flavor.
2. Brown ground lamb in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. The lamb should be well-browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes total cooking time.
3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to lamb, cooking until onion softens and becomes fragrant, roughly 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir constantly for 2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste.
4. Slowly pour in Guinness stout while stirring, then add lamb stock. The beer will create a rich, deep flavor as it simmers and reduces with the other ingredients.
5. Let mixture simmer until liquid reduces by half and sauce thickens beautifully, about 12 minutes. The Guinness adds incredible depth and complexity to the traditional shepherd’s pie flavors.
6. Spoon lamb mixture into a buttered 9×13 baking dish and top with smoked paprika mashed potatoes. Sprinkle remaining cheddar on top and bake at 400°F for 25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
08. Instant Pot Veggie Shepherd’s Pie
Quick pressure cooker shepherd’s pie loaded with mushrooms and zucchini. This easy Instant Pot method creates tender meat and perfectly cooked vegetables in record time.
Ingredients: 1½ pounds ground beef, 2 pounds potatoes, 8 ounces mushrooms sliced, 2 medium zucchini diced, 1 onion chopped, 2 carrots diced, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, ½ cup sour cream, 3 tablespoons butter, 1 cup water for steaming.
How To Make Instant Pot Veggie Shepherd’s Pie
1. Place steamer basket in Instant Pot with 1 cup water. Add peeled and quartered potatoes to basket. Pressure cook on high for 8 minutes, then quick release. Remove potatoes and mash with butter and sour cream until smooth.
2. Remove steamer basket and water from Instant Pot. Using sauté function, brown ground beef directly in the pot, breaking it apart as it cooks. This should take about 6 minutes for proper browning.
3. Add chopped onion, diced carrots, sliced mushrooms, and diced zucchini to beef. Sauté until vegetables begin to soften and release their moisture, approximately 5 minutes. The zucchini adds wonderful texture and nutrition.
4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add beef broth and scrape up any browned bits from bottom of pot for extra flavor.
5. Transfer mixture to a greased 8×8 baking dish and top with mashed potatoes, spreading evenly to edges. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until top is golden brown and filling is heated through completely.
09. Curry Spiced Shepherd’s Pie
Exciting shepherd’s pie with mild curry powder for unique flavor twist. The ground beef mixture can be prepared ahead and frozen for convenient weeknight dinners.
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef, 3 pounds potatoes, 2 teaspoons mild curry powder, 1 large onion diced, 3 cloves garlic minced, 2 tablespoons flour, 1½ cups beef stock, 1 can diced tomatoes drained, 1 cup frozen peas, ½ cup milk, 4 tablespoons butter.
How To Make Curry Spiced Shepherd’s Pie
1. Boil peeled and cubed potatoes in salted water until completely tender, about 17 minutes. Drain thoroughly and mash with butter and milk until smooth and creamy. Season well with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once beef is fully browned, add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
3. Sprinkle curry powder and flour over meat mixture, stirring constantly for 2 minutes to toast spices and eliminate raw flour taste. The curry powder adds wonderful warmth without being too spicy.
4. Gradually add beef stock while stirring to prevent lumps. Stir in drained diced tomatoes and frozen peas. Simmer until mixture thickens and flavors meld together, approximately 8 minutes.
5. Pour curried beef mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish and spread evenly. Top with mashed potatoes, creating peaks with a fork for attractive browning. Bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top.
10. Vegan Lentil Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
Completely plant-based shepherd’s pie using protein-rich lentils and sweet potato topping. This healthy version is perfect for meal prep and freezes beautifully for future meals.
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked green lentils, 3 pounds sweet potatoes, 1 large onion diced, 3 carrots chopped, 3 celery stalks diced, 3 cloves garlic minced, 2 cups vegetable broth, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 3 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper.
How To Make Vegan Lentil Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
1. Roast whole sweet potatoes at 400°F until very tender, about 45 minutes. Let cool, then scoop out flesh and mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper for best flavor development.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, chopped carrots, and diced celery. Cook until vegetables soften and onion becomes translucent, approximately 8 minutes.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute until paste darkens slightly and becomes aromatic.
4. Add cooked lentils, vegetable broth, and dried thyme to skillet. Simmer mixture until liquid reduces and creates a thick, saucy consistency that holds together well, about 10 minutes.
5. Transfer lentil mixture to a greased 8×8 baking dish and spread evenly. Top with mashed sweet potatoes, spreading to cover completely and creating texture with a fork. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes until heated through and lightly golden.
11. Moroccan Spiced Lamb Shepherd’s Pie
Exotic shepherd’s pie featuring traditional lamb with warm Moroccan spices and raisins. Sweet potatoes and cinnamon create beautiful sweet-and-savory flavor combinations throughout this unique dish.
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground lamb, 2 pounds sweet potatoes, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon turmeric, 1 large onion chopped, ½ cup golden raisins, 3 cloves garlic minced, 1 cup lamb stock, 2 tablespoons honey, ¼ cup heavy cream, 3 tablespoons butter, ½ teaspoon ground ginger.
How To Make Moroccan Spiced Lamb Shepherd’s Pie
1. Peel and cube sweet potatoes, then boil in salted water until fork-tender, approximately 18 minutes. Drain well and mash with butter, cream, and half the cinnamon until smooth and creamy.
2. Brown ground lamb in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once lamb is fully browned, add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened, about 6 minutes.
3. Add turmeric, remaining cinnamon, and ground ginger to lamb mixture. Stir constantly for 1 minute to toast spices and release their aromatic oils for maximum flavor impact.
4. Stir in golden raisins, lamb stock, and honey. The raisins will plump up and add wonderful sweetness that balances the warm spices perfectly. Simmer until liquid reduces, about 8 minutes.
5. Divide lamb mixture among 6 individual ramekins for elegant presentation. Top each with sweet potato mash and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until tops are golden brown and filling is bubbling hot.
12. Fall Sweet Potato Pumpkin Shepherd’s Pie
Seasonal shepherd’s pie combining sweet potatoes and pumpkin with warm autumn spices. This comforting fall recipe creates the perfect balance of savory meat and sweet, spiced topping.
Ingredients: 1½ pounds ground beef, 2 pounds sweet potatoes, ½ cup canned pumpkin puree, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, 1 onion diced, 2 carrots chopped, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, ¼ cup heavy cream, 3 tablespoons butter, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
How To Make Fall Sweet Potato Pumpkin Shepherd’s Pie
1. Cook peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in boiling salted water until very tender, about 20 minutes. Drain completely and mash with butter, cream, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla until perfectly smooth.
2. Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Add diced onion and chopped carrots, cooking until vegetables soften and beef is fully cooked, approximately 8 minutes.
3. Pour in beef broth and maple syrup, stirring to combine all ingredients. The maple syrup adds subtle sweetness that complements the fall flavors beautifully without being overwhelming.
4. Simmer mixture until liquid reduces and creates a thick, rich sauce that coats the meat and vegetables, roughly 10 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to hold its shape when spooned.
5. Transfer beef mixture to a greased 9×9 baking dish and spread evenly. Top with sweet potato-pumpkin mash, creating decorative swirls with a fork. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes until top is golden and filling bubbles around edges.
Final Thoughts
These twelve shepherd’s pie recipes offer something special for every taste preference and dietary need. From traditional lamb versions to creative international twists, each brings unique flavors to your dinner table.
Whether you choose classic comfort or adventurous spices, these hearty casseroles will become family favorites that bring everyone together for satisfying, home-cooked meals.
