Traditional Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Potatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-23 · Updated 2026-04-23

A classic English comfort food featuring a savory beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes. This English one-pot recipe, ready in about 75 minutes, layers ground beef, carrots, and 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 620 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" 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
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The 9x13 baking dish we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook the 1.5 lbs ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess fat, then add the 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 1 diced onion. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
2. Step 2: Add the 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, then add 1 cup beef broth and 1 tsp dried rosemary. Simmer for 5 minutes until liquid reduces slightly.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, boil the 2 lbs peeled and cubed potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes until fork-tender. Drain, then mash with 3 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth and creamy.
4. Step 4: Transfer the beef filling to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top, using a fork to create a textured surface. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until golden and bubbly around the edges.
5. Step 5: Let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.