30-Minute Shepherd’s Pie
This 30-minute shepherd's pie uses ground beef and a well-seasoned vegetable base topped with creamy mashed potatoes — a faster take on the traditional British baked dish. Cooking the filling on the stovetop and finishing under the broiler keeps the timeline tight without sacrificing the hearty, satisfying flavors the dish is known for.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Medium saucepan
- Potato masher or fork
- Cutting board
- Chefs Knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
- 1 ½ pounds russet potatoes peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
- ⅓ cup whole milk warmed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter plus more for taste
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
For the Meat Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground beef 85% lean recommended
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables carrots, peas, and corn mix
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¾ cup beef broth low sodium
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the diced potatoes and cook for 12–14 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain and return to the pot.
- Add the warm milk, butter, salt, and pepper to the potatoes. Mash using a potato masher or fork until smooth and fluffy. Cover and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, frozen vegetables, thyme, and beef broth. Bring to a simmer and let it reduce slightly for 3–4 minutes until thickened.
- Preheat broiler to high (500°F/260°C). Spoon mashed potatoes evenly over the meat filling in the skillet. Use a fork to create decorative ridges.
- Place the skillet under the broiler for 3–4 minutes, just until the potato peaks begin to brown. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Notes
- Try swapping the beef for ground lamb or turkey if preferred.
- For richer mashed potatoes, add a tablespoon of sour cream or cream cheese.
- Leftover mashed potatoes can be used if time is limited — just reheat and fluff with a splash of milk.
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the potato topping for subtle depth.
Nutrition
Calories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 29gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 426mgPotassium: 1405mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 2736IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 94mgIron: 5mg
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