Baked Shepherd's Pie with Savory Ground Beef and Mashed Potato Topping

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

A hearty baked shepherd's pie featuring seasoned ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes baked to a golden finish. This British-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, layers ground beef, olive oil, yellow 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 520 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
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 2 medium, diced carrots
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 lbs, peeled and cubed potatoes
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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. Place 2 lbs peeled and cubed potatoes into a large pot of salted water, bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until tender.
2. Step 2: While potatoes boil, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion, 2 diced carrots, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it up until browned and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 cup frozen peas, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Drain potatoes and mash with 4 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup milk until smooth and creamy.
6. Step 6: Spread the beef mixture evenly into a 9x9-inch baking dish, then spoon the mashed potatoes over the top. Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the mashed potatoes.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.