Shepherd's Pie with Garlic-Mashed Potatoes and Ground Beef

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

A hearty classic featuring seasoned ground beef topped with fluffy garlic mashed potatoes baked to golden perfection. This British-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, layers ground beef, yellow onion, carrots 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, diced yellow onion
• 2 medium, diced carrots
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 lbs, peeled and quartered russet potatoes
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp, divided salt
• 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 2 lbs peeled and quartered russet potatoes into a large pot, cover with cold water and 1/2 tsp salt, bring to a boil and cook for 15-18 minutes until tender.
2. Step 2: While potatoes cook, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 2 diced medium carrots, sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1 tbsp all-purpose flour, cooking for 1 minute to remove raw flour taste. Gradually add 1 cup beef broth and 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, stirring constantly until mixture thickens, about 3 minutes.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 cup frozen peas, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then remove from heat.
6. Step 6: Drain potatoes and return to pot. Add 4 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mash with a potato masher or electric mixer until smooth and fluffy.
7. Step 7: Transfer beef mixture to a 9x9-inch baking dish and evenly spread garlic mashed potatoes on top.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the edges are bubbly and the potato topping is golden brown.
9. Step 9: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.