30 Minute Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (2024)

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Shepherd’s Pie has always been one of my favorite meals. It’s one of those dishes that everyone in the family loves kind of like my Chicken and Dumplings. This is the Shepherds Pie recipe that my mom made growing up with a few tweaks I’ve added over the years! I’ve even updated this with instructions for the Instant Pot.

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In fact today when the nieces came over (after they had already eaten their own dinner) they begged for some of my Shepherd’s Pie claiming it was their favorite. I’m happy to report that Teddy and the hubby also gobbled down their servings.

And as a bonus with Pi Day and St. Patrick’s Day coming up this easy 30 minute Shepherd’s Pie recipe will help you be totally festive without any of the stress of some of those more involved recipes.

30 MinuteShepherd’s Pie Recipe

Find the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!

Ingredients

  • 1 lbs. ground beef
  • 1 packet brown gravy mix
  • 1 carton mushrooms (optional)
  • 1/2 C red wine (can substitute beef broth)
  • 1/4 onion
  • 2-3 medium carrots (optional)
  • 3-4 medium potatoes
  • 1 tsp garlic chopped
  • 1 can corn drained
  • 2 C milk warmed
  • 1/4 C grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Start boiling your potatoes to make the potato layer. You want your potatoes to be fork tender. You can even use your instant pot to do this if you want!

While that get’s going make the beef layer. Brown the ground beef, onions, and carrots and mushrooms if you are using them. Once the beef is cooked add in the gravy mix and milk heat until it thickens. Next add in your read wine and cooked to reduce for a few minutes.

Make your potatoes layer by mashing the cooked potatoes together with heated butter and milk. Then start building your layers. Start by spraying your dish with some spray oil.

Next add the meat layer. Then top with the drained corn. Next spoon the mashed potatoes in even spaces gently spread being careful not to pull the corn layer up as you go.

Finally sprinkle with parmesan cheese. I didn’t always do this (my mom doesn’t do this) but I love the extra layer of flavor it adds to the recipe and it really helps the top to brown beautifully once you put it under the broiler.

If you’re prepping it all in one go just stick it under the broiler to brown the top. If you want you can finish it with some parsley and it’s good to go. Also a bonus, this reheats and freezes beautifully!

Alternatively you can cover the Shepherd’s Pie with plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat it.

I made mine last night and then today baked it at 400F for about 20 minutes just until everything was hot inside and then I broiled it to get the cheese delicious and browned. You don’t need to preheat the over just stick it in there.

I almost always make a double recipe and free one dish once it’s assembled, before the broiling step.

It’s a perfect dish to keep in the freezer for those nights you just don’t feel like doing anything or the next time a friend is sick or has a new baby in the house.

30 Minute Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (11)

How to Make Instant Pot Shepherd’s Pie

I love using my Instant Pot. It saves on cleaning and heating the oven. You definitely can make shepherd’s pie in the pressure cooker!You’ll use the same basics. I’ve done it loads of times and it’s actually my favorite way to do it!

  1. Brown the beef gravy mixture on sautéed in the pot. Add in mushrooms if you are doing that.
  2. Pour into your serving dish. If you want to brown it the Instant Pot with the crisping lid be sure to use a round dish that fits in your pot alternatively you can put it under the broiler.
  3. Top with corn.
  4. Add 1 C water to your instant pot (no need to clean it) on a rack cooke your cut up potatoes for 8 minutes and quick release. Drain the water.
  5. Continue making the mashed potato layer as instructed in the recipe above using the sautéed mode in the instant pot.
  6. Scoop potatoes out and finish layering according to there recipe.
  7. Broil or place back in the Instant Pot underneath a crisping lid!

So easy right!?

30 Minute Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Course Main Course

The best shepherd's pie recipe. So quick and easy. Great addition for St. Patrick's Day and Pi Day celebrations.

Ingredients

  • 1 lbs. ground beef
  • 1 packet brown gravy mix
  • 1 carton mushrooms optional
  • 1/2 C red wine can substitute beef broth
  • 1/4 onion
  • 2-3 medium carrots optional
  • 3-4 medium potatoes
  • 1 tsp garlic chopped
  • 1 can corn drained
  • 2 C milk warmed
  • 1/4 C grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cut the potatoes into cubes and boil until tender to a fork.

  • In a separate skillet while the potatoes are cooking chop the carrots (if using) and onions into bite sized pieces and cook with the ground beef until beef is almost browned.

  • Quarter the mushrooms and add into the beef mixure if using.

  • Add in gravy packet and 1 C milk. Still over heat until thickened.

  • Add red wine and cook the alcohol off (this is optional but I like the extra depth of flavor it adds) If you don't do alcohol or don't have any on hand feel free to omit or substitute with beef broth.

  • Add salt and pepper to taste.

  • Once the potatoes are cooked drain and set aside.

  • In the pot the potatoes were cooked in melt butter, add garlic and milk to heat.

  • Add potatoes back in and mash and stir.

  • Add salt and pepper to taste.

  • Pour your beef mixture into an greased oven proof dish (I like to use a 8×8 glass casserole dish or a bread pan).

  • Next pour your corn on top of the beef layer.

  • Spoon your potatoes on top of the corn.

  • Finally sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese.

  • Broil until the cheese layer is golden brown. Serve with pride.

Notes

  • This can be made ahead. Either save it in the refrigerator and cook later (about 20 minutes at 400 F or until heated through). It can also be frozen for a later date.
  • If you have leftover mashed potatoes from a different meal free free to use those or use your own favorite mashed potatoes recipe for the potato layer.
  • I always use corn in mine but I often will leave out the carrots and mushroom just depending on who I'm feeding and how I feel. When I do that I do not add anything else in.
  • This recipe makes 4 adult servings but can easily be doubled to serve more. Or divided to make less although instead of making less I'd probably portion out into containers to freeze for a later date!

Make it in the Instant Pot

You'll use the same basics. I've done it loads of times and it's actually my favorite way to do it!

  1. Brown the beef gravy mixture on sautéed in the pot. Add in mushrooms if you are doing that.
  2. Pour into your serving dish. If you want to brown it the Instant Pot with the crisping lid be sure to use a round dish that fits in your pot alternatively you can put it under the broiler.
  3. Top with corn.
  4. Add 1 C water to your instant pot (no need to clean it) on a rack cooke your cut up potatoes for 8 minutes and quick release. Drain the water.
  5. Continue making the mashed potato layer as instructed in the recipe above using the sautéed mode in the instant pot.
  6. Scoop potatoes out and finish layering according to there recipe.
  7. Broil or place back in the Instant Pot underneath a crisping lid!

So easy right!?

Love this recipe?Follow @RaeGunRamblings or tag #RaeGunRamblings!

Want more delicious recipes?

Delicious Oven Fried Chicken that’s just as crisp as deep frying without all the extra grease!

This Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe gets rave reviews and is crazy easy to make!

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30 Minute Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make shepherd's pie not runny? ›

Why is my shepherd's pie runny? Generally, this is caused by using too much stock. If you follow this recipe's measurements you'll have the right amount but don't forget to reduce the meat filling long enough so it's not runny.

How to make shepherds pie without beef broth? ›

You can swap the beef broth for chicken broth if you prefer. For an Irish shepherd's pie, swap the beef broth for Guinness. Worcestershire Sauce. Adds wonderful umami flavor.

How do you keep shepherd's pie from falling apart? ›

How do you keep shepherds pie from falling apart? The eggs in the mashed potatoes help keep the pie together. You should also make sure to spread the potatoes and press down a bit.

How do you keep mash from sinking in shepherds pie? ›

To stop the mash sinking into the filling, allow the meat to cool before topping with the mashed potato. Freeze in individual ovenproof dishes for an easy meal for one.

How can I make my meat pie filling thicker? ›

Thicken your pie filling (optional).
  1. Mix two tsp. of flour with 1/4 cup cold water or 1 tbsp. cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water before stirring it into your mixture.
  2. Thicken with flour. For each cup of filling, use about 2 tbsp. of flour. ...
  3. Thicken with cornstarch. For each cup of sauce, use 1 tbsp. of cornstarch.

How can I make my pie more firm? ›

All-purpose flour is an easy solution, as you're sure to have it in your pantry. Since it's lower in starch, you'll use more of it than you would higher-starch thickeners.

Does shepherd's pie have gravy in it? ›

This Easy Shepherd's Pie recipe is made with ground beef, brown gravy, and frozen vegetables in less than 30 minutes on the stove top. Broil in the oven for just 5 minutes and dinner is served! Make it with my homemade mashed potato recipe, or use up leftover mashed potatoes!

What can I use if I don't have beef broth? ›

Like beef broth, chicken broth is a kitchen staple and makes a good substitute if you are all out of the meaty broth. This savory, salty liquid has a milder flavor than beef broth but is a good one-to-one replacement. Chicken broth also has a similar nutrition profile to beef broth, low in calories and high in sodium.

What can I use instead of broth? ›

Chicken Broth Substitute: Salted Butter + Water

If you don't have broth on hand and want a little more flavor than just plain water, try subbing in 1 cup of water plus 1 tablespoon of butter for every cup of chicken broth in your recipe. The butter will help create a richer flavor than just water alone.

Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? ›

A good shepherd's – or indeed cottage – pie, needs a solid, but fluffy top: too much milk or butter, and you'll end up with a sloppy puree instead. Make sure you steam the potatoes dry before mashing, and season generously; I like Bareham and Hopkinson's nutmeg as well as the usual salt and pepper.

Why does my potato sink in shepherds pie? ›

Residual moisture from the potatoes will drip into the beef below as it cooks, and too much of it will cause the potatoes to eventually sink. Aside from ridding your potatoes of excess moisture before you mash them, it also helps to cool the beef down, BBC Good Food shares.

How do you stretch ground beef for shepherd's pie? ›

Stretch your ground beef with any of these cheap fillers:
  1. Cooked or uncooked oatmeal, or rolled oats.
  2. Breadcrumbs.
  3. Cooked barley or bulgar wheat.
  4. Quinoa or couscous.
  5. TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein)
  6. Grated or finely chopped vegetables like carrots, celery, garlic, onions, sweet or hot peppers, potatoes, squash, or zucchini.
Dec 24, 2022

How do I thicken shepherds pie? ›

The easiest way to thicken shepherd's pie filling is by sprinkling a few tablespoons of flour into the ground beef mixture as it cooks before adding it to the baking dish. The starch in the flour will absorb the extra liquid and create a thick gravy.

Why is flour used in shepherds pie? ›

This shepherd's pie recipe uses 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken the gravy but if you feel like the meat mixture is too watery, add in another tablespoon and stir to combine. You may also try simmering the mince mixture for longer so that the stock reduces down and thickens.

Should I put shepherds pie in the fridge? ›

Leftovers or Make Ahead

A Shepherd's Pie is the perfect make-ahead food. In the fridge Cook up to point 11 in the recipe below and you can keep this recipe in the fridge for 2 days.

How do you thicken up shepherd's pie? ›

The easiest way to thicken shepherd's pie filling is by sprinkling a few tablespoons of flour into the ground beef mixture as it cooks before adding it to the baking dish. The starch in the flour will absorb the extra liquid and create a thick gravy.

Why is my meat pie filling runny? ›

First, make sure you are including a thickener with your filling—there are several options out there, including cornstarch, flour and tapioca, and they all basically work the same way. Thickeners bind to water as the filling cooks, making your pie less likely to end up like a swimming pool.

How do you thicken shepherd's pie without cornstarch? ›

Arrowroot Powder – If you're following the Paleo Diet then Arrowroot Powder is a great alternative to using cornstarch to thicken gravies and sauces.

Why did my pie filling is too runny? ›

If you slice the pie too soon , it just won't set. Why did my blueberry pie turn out runny? Without knowing your method or ingredients its hard to say. My best guess is you didn't use enough thickener( flour or cornstarch) in the filling, or you didnt cook long enough, or you cut it before cooling sufficiently.

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