Beef and Vegemite Shepherd’s Pie with Sweet Potato Mash

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-06 · Updated 2026-07-06

A hearty Australian-inspired shepherd’s pie featuring rich beef filling accented with classic Vegemite and topped with vibrant sweet potato mash. This australian-inspired beef ready in about 70 minutes layers ground beef, medium, finely chopped onion, large, diced carrot 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 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
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 1 large, diced carrot
• 2, diced celery stalks
• 2, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp Vegemite
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 2 lbs, peeled and chopped sweet potatoes
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp, divided salt
• 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Boil 2 lbs peeled and chopped sweet potatoes in salted water (1/2 tsp salt) for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and mash with 3 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped medium onion, 1 large diced carrot, 2 diced celery stalks, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 7-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tbsp Vegemite. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Fold in 1/2 cup frozen peas and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Remove from heat.
6. Step 6: Transfer the beef mixture to a baking dish and spread evenly. Top with the sweet potato mash, smoothing the surface.
7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is slightly golden and the filling bubbles around the edges. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.