Beef and Potato Shepherd's Pie

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-13 · Updated 2026-04-13

A hearty casserole of slow-cooked beef and vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until golden. This American beef recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, layers ground beef, carrots, and celery 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 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" 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 pound ground beef
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large pot, combine 1 pound ground beef, 1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup diced celery, 1 cup diced onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Cook over medium heat until beef is browned and vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes, then stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 cup beef broth, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes until sauce thickens.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, boil potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and mash with 1/4 cup milk and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter until smooth.
3. Step 3: Transfer beef mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the top, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes until top is golden and bubbly.