Shepherd's Pie with Caramelized Onion and Sweet Peas

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

A comforting shepherd's pie layered with savory ground beef, sweet caramelized onions, and tender peas topped with fluffy mashed potatoes. This British-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, layers ground beef, large onion, frozen sweet peas 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 450 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 lb ground beef
• 1, thinly sliced large onion
• 1 cup frozen sweet peas
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 lbs, peeled and cubed potatoes
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 thinly sliced large onion and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and caramelized.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and no pink remains.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant, then add 1 cup beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 cup frozen sweet peas, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, place 2 lbs peeled and cubed potatoes into a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes until very tender. Drain and return to pot.
5. Step 5: Mash potatoes with 4 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup milk until smooth and creamy. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
6. Step 6: Transfer the meat mixture to a 9x9-inch baking dish and spread into an even layer. Top evenly with mashed potatoes, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until the potato topping is lightly golden and edges are bubbling. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.