Description
This Classic Shepherd’s Pie features a savory ground beef filling with sautéed onions, celery, garlic, and a blend of herbs, thickened with flour and enriched with brown gravy and frozen mixed vegetables. Topped with creamy homemade mashed potatoes, the dish is finished under the broiler to create a golden, crispy crust. It’s a comforting, hearty meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 rib celery, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup brown gravy
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
Topping
- 3 cups homemade mashed potatoes (half batch of your favorite recipe)
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes: Make about 3 cups of homemade mashed potatoes to use as the topping. Prepare these while you cook the filling to save time.
- Cook Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced onion and celery, and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
- Brown the Beef: Increase the heat to high, add the ground beef to the pan, and cook while crumbling it until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Thicken the Mixture: Lower heat to medium-high. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour over the beef mixture, stirring to coat thoroughly. Add 1 tablespoon tomato paste and ½ teaspoon dried thyme. Cook for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour ½ cup chicken broth into the pan to deglaze. Use a silicone spatula to scrape up browned bits from the pan’s bottom to add flavor.
- Add Gravy and Vegetables: Stir in half of the 1 cup brown gravy and 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables. Cook until the vegetables are heated through.
- Season: Add salt and pepper to taste. Add more brown gravy if a moister filling is preferred. Remove the pan from heat.
- Assemble: Transfer the beef mixture into a lightly greased 9-inch pie pan or a 7 x 11 inch casserole dish. Spread the warm mashed potatoes evenly over the top.
- Texture the Topping: Using a fork, gently rake lines or patterns in the mashed potatoes to help crisp the top when broiled.
- Broil: Position your oven rack about 5 inches from the broiler element and preheat the broiler to high (around 550°F/288°C).
- Finish the Pie: Broil the assembled pie for about 5 minutes. Watch closely starting at 2 minutes to prevent burning. The top should turn golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, let it sit for a few minutes, then serve warm and enjoy your classic Shepherd’s Pie.
Notes
- You can prepare mashed potatoes ahead of time and reheat them gently before assembling.
- Adjust brown gravy quantity to achieve your preferred filling consistency.
- Use 85% lean beef to balance flavor and reduce excess grease during cooking.
- This recipe broils the top for a crispy finish rather than baking the entire dish.
- Make sure to watch closely during broiling to avoid burning the mashed potatoes topping.
