Homemade Beef and Potato Shepherd's Pie with Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Shepherd's pie is the ultimate comfort food, with saucy ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes. Making this hearty casserole from scratch at home enhances the flavors tenfold. With a few simple techniques, you can have shepherd's pie on the table that rivals any restaurant or pub. Read on for step-by-step instructions for making beef and potato shepherd's pie topped with ultra-creamy spiked mashed potatoes.

Season the Beef

Shepherd's pie begins with a flavorful base of ground beef. Season 1-1.5 lbs lean ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and thyme.

Browning the beef in batches helps achieve nice caramelization on the meat. Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking.

Once browned, return all beef to the pan along with a bit of butter or olive oil to finish cooking through.

Swap in Lamb

For a more authentic shepherd's pie, use ground lamb or a 50/50 lamb/beef combo instead.

Sauté the Vegetables

In addition to meat, shepherd's pie features a medley of cooked vegetables. The usual suspects - carrot, onion, celery, peas, corn - pair wonderfully.

Sauté diced carrot, onion and celery until softened. Add frozen peas and corn at the end to heat through.

Mix the cooked veggies into the beef along with tomato paste or ketchup for moisture and flavor.

Parboil Potatoes

Cook peeled, diced russet potatoes in salted boiling water until fork tender before mashing.

Make Flavorful Mashed Potatoes

For the tastiest topping, skip the plain boxed potato flakes and make your own creamy mashed spuds. Boil and mash russet potatoes with butter, milk, shredded cheese, garlic, salt and pepper.

Sour cream or cream cheese also blend in nicely. Cheddar, gruyere or gouda offer bold flavor.

For ultra creamy potatoes, pass the mash through a ricer after hand mashing.

Assemble the Pie

To put the pie together, transfer the hot beef and veggie mixture into a casserole dish. Top evenly with the cheesy mashed potatoes.

Spread and smooth the potatoes carefully to completely cover the base. This helps the potatoes get crispy.

For added flavor, sprinkle paprika, thyme or chives over the mash before broiling.

Bubble It Up

For extra crispy spuds, run under the broiler for a few minutes watch closely to prevent burning.

Let It Rest

Once baked and bubbling, allow the shepherd's pie to rest at least 15 minutes before serving. This helps set the interior for better sliceability.

Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve piping hot with vegetables like roasted carrots or greens.

Leftover slices can be refrigerated up to one week. Reheat gently before serving again.

Conclusion

With flavorful seasoned beef, tender vegetables and creamy cheesy mashed potatoes, homemade shepherd's pie is comfort food at its finest. The combination of textures and savory flavors in this hearty one-dish meal can't be beat. Prepare the easy components in advance for quick assembly. Bring this British pub classic straight from your kitchen to the family dinner table.

FAQs

1. What type of beef is best?

85% or 90% lean ground beef provides the best balance of fat and flavor.

2. Can I prep the components in advance?

Yes, cook the beef filling and potatoes 1-2 days ahead. Assemble just before baking.

3. What other toppings can I use?

Some delicious alternatives are cauliflower mash, sweet potato mash or breadcrumbs.

4. What vegetables should I include?

Onion, carrot, celery, corn and peas are traditional. Get creative!

5. Can I freeze shepherd's pie?

Absolutely! Assemble in a pan then wrap well and freeze up to 3 months.