Smith's Classic Shepherd's Pie

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-04 · Updated 2026-04-04

A hearty, comforting English-inspired dish featuring a savory beef and vegetable filling beneath a creamy blanket of golden mashed potatoes, baked to perfection. This british-inspired one pot ready in about 70 minutes layers ground beef, medium, diced onion, 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 500 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

• 1.5 lbs ground beef
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 2, diced carrot
• 2 stalks, diced celery
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 cup, frozen peas
• 1 cup, frozen corn
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper
• 4 cups mashed potatoes
• 1/4 cup, shredded (optional) cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook 1.5 lbs ground beef until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Add 1 diced medium onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks, and cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened and edges are slightly caramelized.
2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant and golden. Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until deepened in color.
3. Step 3: Sprinkle 1 tbsp all-purpose flour over the mixture and cook for 1 minute, then gradually whisk in 1 cup beef broth. Stir in 1 cup frozen peas, 1 cup frozen corn, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, salt, and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the meat mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread 4 cups mashed potatoes evenly over the top, pressing gently to seal edges. Sprinkle 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the potatoes if using.
5. Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes until potatoes are golden brown and filling bubbles vigorously around the edges.