Baked Shepherd's Pie with Savory Ground Beef and Vegetables

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

A comforting baked shepherd's pie featuring seasoned ground beef layered with tender vegetables and topped with creamy mashed potatoes. This British-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, layers russet potatoes, unsalted butter, whole milk 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

• 2 lbs russet potatoes
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large, diced into 1/4-inch pieces carrot
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp 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 cut 2 lbs russet potatoes into 1-inch chunks, then place in a large pot of salted water. Bring to boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender.
2. Step 2: While potatoes cook, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and 1 large diced carrot, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up meat until browned and no pink remains.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Stir in 1 cup frozen peas and cook 2 minutes more.
5. Step 5: Drain potatoes and return to pot. Mash with 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 1/2 cup whole milk until smooth and creamy.
6. Step 6: Transfer beef mixture to a 9x9-inch baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until edges bubble and potatoes are lightly golden.
7. Step 7: Let cool 5 minutes before serving.