Name: Short-Cut Shepherd’s Pie
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6 Servings
Cuisine: Other

OnlineCook Verified

April 29, 2025

12 Ingredients

EASY

If we’re going to get technical, this dish is called shepherd’s pie if you use ground lamb, and cottage pie when you use ground beef. But whatever you like to call it, the classic meat and potatoes dinner is pure comfort food. Here, a savory gravy gives the meat and veggies rich flavor. Going with store-bought refrigerated or deli-counter mashed potatoes, and frozen vegetables, means you can pull it off any night of the week. The recipe is a Yummly original created by Ashley Strickland Freeman.

From the Cook

1/2

Short-Cut Shepherd’s Pie

OnlineCook Verified

Ingredients

Servings

WarningMilk and 4 other allergens identified

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F with a rack set in center. Oil a metal 2-qt. baking pan that’s about 7x11 inches and 2 inches deep, or use a 9-inch square pan. (You’ll be browning the shepherd’s pie under the broiler before serving, so don’t use a glass baking dish, which could break.)

Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in ground lamb and cook, stirring often, until meat is browned and crumbly, about 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, tomato paste, and flour. Also heat potatoes according to package directions.

Drain fat from meat if needed. Stir in frozen vegetables. Add broth mixture to pan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring often, until gravy is thickened, about 5 minutes.

Transfer meat mixture to the prepared baking pan. Dollop hot mashed potatoes over the top and spread in an even layer.

Bake shepherd’s pie until edges are bubbly, 20-25 minutes.

Increase oven temperature to broil, still leaving pan in the center of the oven. Broil to brown the mashed potatoes, 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle shepherd’s pie with parsley before serving.

Smart Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Potato Top Perfection 🥔
For a golden, crispy potato topping, use the broiler for the last 2-3 minutes and watch carefully to prevent burning.
Flavor Layering Technique 🧅
Caramelize the onions slowly before adding other ingredients to build a deeper, more complex base flavor for the meat mixture.
Umami Boost Hack 🍲
Double up on umami by combining both soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce, creating a more intense and rich flavor profile.
Veggie Prep Pro Tip 🥕
If using frozen vegetables, do not thaw first - add them directly to the meat mixture to prevent excess moisture and maintain texture.
Make-Ahead Magic 🥘
Prepare the entire dish up to the final baking stage, then refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake from cold for an additional 10-15 minutes.