Baked Shepherd’s Pie with Sweet Potato Mash

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

A comforting baked shepherd’s pie featuring seasoned ground beef and a creamy sweet potato topping, perfect for a cozy dinner. 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 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
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1 large, diced carrot
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 large (about 2 lbs), peeled and chopped sweet potatoes
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Boil 2 large peeled and chopped sweet potatoes in a large pot of salted water for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender, then drain.
2. Step 2: While potatoes cook, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 1 large diced carrot, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink.
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 8 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Mash the drained sweet potatoes with 3 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup whole milk, and 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme until smooth and creamy.
6. Step 6: Transfer the beef mixture to a 9x9-inch baking dish and spread evenly. Dollop the mashed sweet potatoes on top, smoothing with a spatula.
7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the sweet potato topping is lightly golden. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.