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-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, layers ground beef, carrots, 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 "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 pound ground beef
• 1 cup, diced carrots
• 1 cup, diced celery
• 1 cup, diced onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 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, peeled and cubed potatoes
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup, grated cheddar cheese

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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.