Beef Shepherds Pie with Peas (Printable)
A comforting dish featuring savory ground beef, sweet peas, and carrots, crowned with a golden, creamy mashed potato layer.
# What You Need:
→ For the Beef Filling
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 pounds ground beef
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
08 - 2 cups beef broth
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
11 - 1 bay leaf
12 - 1 1/3 cups frozen peas
13 - Salt, to taste
14 - Black pepper, to taste
→ For the Mashed Potato Topping
15 - 2.5 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered
16 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
17 - 1/2 cup whole milk
18 - Salt, to taste
19 - White pepper, to taste
20 - 1 large egg yolk (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion and diced carrots, sautéing for 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until thoroughly browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess fat from the skillet if necessary.
04 - Stir in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, cooking for 2 minutes. Pour in the beef broth, then add the dried thyme, dried rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Remove the bay leaf from the beef mixture. Stir in the frozen peas and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat.
06 - Meanwhile, place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large saucepan. Cover them with salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, which usually takes about 15–18 minutes. Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot.
07 - Mash the cooked potatoes with the unsalted butter and whole milk until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and white pepper to your preference. If desired, mix in the optional egg yolk for a richer, golden-brown topping.
08 - Spoon the prepared beef mixture into a large baking dish (such as a 9x13 inch casserole dish). Carefully spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the beef filling, ensuring full coverage. Use a fork to create decorative ridges on the potato topping.
09 - Bake the shepherds pie in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the potato topping is lightly golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
10 - Allow the shepherds pie to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This resting period helps the filling set and makes for easier portioning.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- It's the ultimate comfort food, guaranteed to make everyone feel cozy and loved.
- This recipe is surprisingly simple to master, even for a weeknight dinner, and so satisfying.
02 -
- Draining the excess fat from the beef after browning is crucial for a cleaner, less greasy filling.
- Don't overwork the mashed potatoes; mash until just smooth to keep them light and fluffy, not gluey.
03 -
- If your mashed potatoes feel a bit loose, bake them uncovered for 5-10 minutes before adding the filling to dry them out slightly.
- Don't be shy with the seasoning, both in the filling and the potatoes; bold flavors make a memorable pie.