This classic Shepherd's Pie is a healthy easy take on comfort food. It's freezer-friendly and packed with veggies and lean protein
Make a big batch, and you've got dinner ready to go on those busy weeknights. Trust me, this shepherd's pie will become a new family favorite—it's definitely one of ours! I can't wait to hear what you think!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Healthy & convenient: Lighter comfort food, perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly for easy weeknight meals.
- Simple & complete: Wholesome ingredients combine in one dish for a satisfying and stress-free meal.
Ingredients and substitutions
- White potatoes – I like using white potatoes but you can use another starchy potato like russet or Yukon Gold potatoes.
- Butter – feel free to swap the butter out for olive oil or a butter substitute like margarine.
- Sour cream – you can leave this out, I just find that it makes the potatoes nice and fluffy.
- Extra-lean ground beef – you can use ground lamb for a more traditional shepherd's pie or try making this ground turkey shepherd's pie instead.
- Yellow onion – white onion or shallots can be used instead.
- Garlic – freshly minced garlic is best, but jarred minced garlic will work in a pinch.
- Dried thyme – swap out for 1 tsp. fresh chopped thyme instead.
- Flour – or a gluten-free flour substitute of your choice. Potato starch would also help thicken the sauce.
- Beef broth – you can use vegetable or chicken broth, but it may alter the flavour of the sauce.
- Worcestershire – a combination of soy sauce and ketchup with provide a similar flavour.
- Frozen vegetables – use any frozen veggie blend of your choice.
- Cheddar cheese – feel free to leave this off for a dairy-free option.
- Chives – you can leave these off if you don’t have any on hand.
How to make shepherd's pie
Step 1: Mash the potatoes.
Cook potatoes in water. Drain and mash with butter, sour cream, salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Make the beef mixture.
Cook ground beef and onions. Add garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme.
Step 3: Stir in the veggies.
Stir in flour, then add in beef broth, Worcestershire and frozen veggies.
Step 4: Add the beef mixture to a dish.
Add beef mixture to a greased casserole dish.
Step 5: Spread the potatoes over top.
Spread mashed potatoes evenly across the top.
Step 6: Top with cheese, bake and enjoy!
Top with cheese, then bake. Top with chives, then serve and enjoy!
Recipe tips and variations
This classic shepherd’s pie is easy to customize, so it's perfect for any taste or dietary preference!
- Prep like a pro: Save time with frozen veggies and make the mashed potatoes ahead of time.
- Keep it crisp: Simmer the filling to avoid sogginess and broil for a crispy top.
- Layering tips: Layer beef and vegetables in the dish, top with mashed potatoes, add cheese, and bake.
- Healthy swaps: Lighten up the dish with mashed cauliflower or sweet potatoes, and try ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein.
Frequently asked questions
What's a good low-carb substitute for the mashed potato topping?
Mashed cauliflower or sweet potato are excellent low-carb and nutritious alternatives.
Are there dairy-free alternatives for the mashed potato topping?
Yes! Use plant-based milk (almond, soy, oat) and olive oil or a dairy-free butter alternative for the mashed topping.
How can I add more flavour without adding extra salt?
Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley), spices (garlic powder, onion powder), Worcestershire sauce, and a splash of red wine will boost the flavour.
How do I know when the shepherd's pie is done?
The Shepherd's Pie is done when the mashed potato topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
How to store and reheat
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or microwave in 1-minute intervals until heated through.
Freeze & reheat from frozen: Freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 350°F for 60 minutes, covering with foil, or thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as usual.
More ground beef recipes recipes
Meal prep tools for this recipe
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this dish into leftovers.
- I get all my grass-fed beef from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
Healthy Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
- 2 lbs white potatoes about 5-6 medium-sized potatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tbsp sour cream optional add in for potatoes
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme or 1 tsp fresh chopped thyme
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire
- 2 cups frozen vegetables
- 1 cup cheddar cheese grated
- 2 tbsp chives chopped, optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add potatoes, cooking for about 12-15 minutes until fork tender. Drain, then add in butter, sour cream, salt & pepper. Mash with a potato masher until roughly combined.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking up with a spoon, then add onions, cooking for 5 minutes. Add in garlic, salt and pepper and thyme, cooking another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in flour until beef mixture is coated, then add in beef broth, Worcestershire and frozen veggies. Cook another 2 minutes until mixture thickens then remove from heat.
- Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish, then add beef mixture. Top with mashed potatoes, spreading across evenly. Top with cheese, then bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, top with chives if desired, then serve and enjoy!
Comments & Reviews
Ms Denise Thomson says
All of your recipes are amazing. Just one thing though… its a cottage pie if made with beef and shepherds if made with lamb
Keep up the great work
Kind blessings
Denise
Katie Didow says
Thanks so much, Denise! We’ve chosen ground beef for our version of a shepherd’s pie because it’s easier to find here than ground lamb.