Baked Shepherd's Pie with Garlic-Infused Mashed Potatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

A comforting layered dish featuring savory ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy garlic mashed potatoes, baked until golden and bubbling. This British-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, layers ground beef, onion, carrot into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 2 medium, diced carrot
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 3 large (about 2 lbs) russet potatoes
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp, divided salt
• 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

The 9x13 baking dish we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Peel and quarter 3 large russet potatoes (about 2 lbs). Place them in a large pot, cover with cold water, add 1/2 tsp salt, and bring to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
2. Step 2: While potatoes cook, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium diced onion and 2 diced carrots; sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up meat, until browned and cooked through.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup frozen peas, 1 cup beef broth, and 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until mixture thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Drain cooked potatoes and return to pot. Add 4 tbsp butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup milk, and remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy with garlic flavor.
5. Step 5: Transfer meat mixture to a 9x9-inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Spoon mashed potatoes over the top and spread gently with a spatula to cover completely.
6. Step 6: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the edges are bubbling and mashed potatoes develop a light golden crust. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.