Baked Shepherd's Pie with Garlic Mashed Potato Topping

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-08 · Updated 2026-05-08

A comforting baked shepherd’s pie featuring savory ground beef and vegetables beneath a fluffy garlic mashed potato crust. This British-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, layers ground beef, carrot, onion 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 480 calories and feeds 4, 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 carrot
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 lbs, peeled and cubed potatoes
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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. Boil 2 lbs peeled and cubed potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes until very tender.
2. Step 2: While potatoes cook, heat 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced carrot and 1 medium finely chopped onion, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes, then stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over the beef mixture and stir for 1 minute. Pour in 1 cup beef broth, stir, and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Add 1 cup frozen peas, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cook for another 2 minutes.
5. Step 5: Drain potatoes and mash with 4 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup milk, and 3 minced garlic cloves until creamy and smooth.
6. Step 6: Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture into a 9x9-inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with the mashed potatoes, smoothing the surface.
7. Step 7: Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the edges bubble and the potato topping is lightly golden. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.