Homemade Beef and Potato Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Rutabaga

A Cozy, Comforting Shepherd's Pie Recipe

This homemade beef and potato shepherd's pie is the ultimate hearty, comforting food! Savory beef and veggies fill a baking dish topped with creamy, dreamy mashed rutabaga and potatoes then baked to perfection. This warm and cozy shepherd's pie is pure food happiness in one dish!

Beef and potatoes are a classic pairing for a reason - their savory flavors just go hand-in-hand. Combining juicy ground beef with tender potatoes, carrots, peas, and corn makes a phenomenal filling. And using vitamin-rich rutabaga along with buttery potatoes results in the creamiest mashed topper. This from-scratch shepherd's pie is total old-fashioned food bliss.

Read on for the simple recipe steps and learn how to create this cozy shepherd's pie at home. It's the ultimate soul-warming dinner for chilly nights!

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make a 9x13 baking dish of shepherd's pie (6 servings):

Filling:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups frozen peas and corn
• 3 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1/4 cup beef broth
• 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 rutabaga, peeled and diced
• Salt and pepper

Topping:

• Butter
• Milk
• Shredded cheddar cheese

That's all you need for the most amazing shepherd's pie! Now let's get to the easy steps.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how simple it is to make this homemade shepherd's pie:

Sauté the Veggies

In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the onions and carrots 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

Brown the Beef

Add ground beef to the skillet and cook through until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.

Simmer the Filling

Return beef and veggies to the skillet. Stir in tomato paste, beef broth, peas and corn. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Boil the Potatoes and Rutabaga

In a pot, boil diced potatoes and rutabaga until very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain thoroughly.

Mash the Topping

Mash potatoes and rutabaga with butter, milk, cheddar cheese, salt and pepper until smooth and creamy.

Assemble and Bake

Transfer beef filling to a 9x13 baking dish. Top evenly with mashed potato mixture. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes.

Finish and Serve

Remove from oven, let sit 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra cheese if desired. Enjoy!

Make-Ahead Tips

Get a head start on this savory shepherd's pie by:

• Prep all ingredients one day ahead.
• Assemble pie completely and refrigerate.
• Bake just before serving, adding 10 extra minutes to bake time.
• Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

With just a little extra baking time, you can prep this in advance for easy weeknight dinners!

Vegetable Variations

Customize your shepherd's pie by mixing up these veggie add-ins:

• Roasted butternut squash instead of rutabaga
• Sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes
• Peas, broccoli, spinach, kale or green beans
• Roasted red peppers
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Sauteéd mushrooms

Get creative with vegetables to make this comforting shepherd's pie your own!

Serving Suggestions

Serve this homey shepherd's pie with sides like:

• Buttery dinner rolls or biscuits
• Sautéed or roasted Brussels sprouts
• Garden salad
• Classic creamed spinach or kale

A simple side salad or veggie complements this hearty main dish perfectly. Enjoy with a pint of ale or crisp hard cider.

Storage and Leftovers

Shepherd's pie tastes even better the next day! Here are some storage tips:

• Allow pie to cool completely before refrigerating.
• Cover tightly and store for up to 4 days.
• Reheat individual portions in microwave until warmed through.
• Can also bake entire pie at 375°F to reheat.

With proper storage, you can enjoy the cozy flavors of homemade shepherd's pie all week long.

FAQs

What kind of beef works best?

Ground chuck or ground sirloin have the best flavor for shepherd's pie filling. Avoid super lean beef.

Can I use leftover mashed potatoes?

Yes, leftover homemade mashed potatoes work great for the topping if you have them.

What if I don't have rutabaga?

You can use all potatoes for the mash, but the rutabaga adds great flavor and nutrition.

Should I bake the pie right away?

You can refrigerate assembled, unbaked shepherd's pie overnight and bake just before serving.

Can I make this shepherd's pie in advance?

Yes, assemble completely and freeze unbaked for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking.

The Takeaway

This homemade beef and potato shepherd's pie with creamy mashed rutabaga is comfort food at its finest. With seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, veggies, and an herbed potato-rutabaga mash, it's a complete meal in one dish. Easy to prep ahead and customized to your liking, this shepherd's pie recipe will become a new family favorite!

Conclusion

Homemade Beef and Potato Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Rutabaga is the ultimate hearty, comforting food. Savory beef and vegetables fill a baking dish topped with dreamy mashed rutabaga and potatoes then baked to perfection. The combination of flavors and textures in this classic dish is absolute food bliss. Easy to prep ahead of time and customize to your liking, this shepherd's pie recipe will warm you up on chilly nights. Make this cozy classic at home and enjoy leftovers all week!

FAQs

What's the best way to reheat leftovers?

Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave. Also can reheat fully assembled pie in a 375°F oven.

Can I prepare this pie completely in advance?

Yes, assemble the entire shepherd's pie and refrigerate up to 2 days before baking, or freeze for up to 3 months.

What sides go well with shepherd's pie?

Try sautéed greens, roasted veggies, garden salad, or buttery dinner rolls.

What kind of beef should I use?

Ground chuck or ground sirloin have the best flavor. Avoid super lean ground beef.

Can I customize the vegetable filling?

Absolutely! Swap out veggies like peas, carrots, squash, greens, peppers etc.