This easy Shepherd’s pie is made with ground beef in a savory gravy, layered with tender vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes and topped off with cheddar cheese.
This is my twist on the traditional Shepherd’s pie recipe. It does not use ground lamb or the traditional sauce. Instead, the ground beef is mixed with gravy and topped with sharp cheddar cheese. Interesting fact: it’s actually called cottage pie when it’s made with ground beef. However, in America, people commonly refer to it as Shepherd’s pie anyway.
This 5 ingredient shepherd’s pie is one of my favorite go-to ground beef recipes because it’s budget-friendly and flavorful. I have it at least once a month. It only requires 5 ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to make so it’s perfect for a quick and easy dinner recipe.
Customize Your Shepherd’s Pie
This easy shepherd’s pie is the ultimate comfort food. Meat, cheese, potatoes? What’s not to love with that combo! It is also is easily customizable to your family’s preferences. You can add different vegetables: corn, carrots, peas, green beans, etc. I personally prefer corn and green beans in mine, but when I’m in a rush, I’ll just use a bag of frozen mixed vegetables.
You can use instant mashed potatoes or real mashed potatoes with Yukon, Russet, or Sweet Potatoes. The gravy can be made from scratch or made with a gravy packet. The choice is up to you. You can even switch up the cheeses. Some good substitutes are Colby jack, mild cheddar, or a mix of different cheeses ….The possibilities are endless!
Make Ahead, Freezer-Friendly
Typically, I’m not a big fan of leftovers, but this is one of those recipes where it’s just as good the second time around! This easy casserole can be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge or frozen for up to 3 months. Be sure to store it in an airtight container. You can make this recipe ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you are ready to bake it.
This easy 5 ingredient Shepherd’s pie is a complete meal so I don’t usually serve it with anything else, but you can add a side salad or serve with some buttered dinner rolls.
Easy 5 Ingredient Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 10 oz frozen mixed vegetables thawed
- 8 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 cups prepared mashed potatoes
- 1 cup brown gravy
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 and spray a 9x13 casserole-inch glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add ground beef to a medium sized skillet and cook on medium-high heat, breaking up the meat with a spatula as you cook it. Season the meat with salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder.
- After it is browned and cooked through, drain any excess grease from the skillet, if there is any.
- Make your mashed potatoes and gravy according to directions.
- Add the gravy to the ground beef and transfer ground beef mixture into a casserole dish.
- Spread the vegetables evenly over the top of the ground beef.
- Add the mashed potatoes on top of the vegetables. Use a spatula to smooth mashed potatoes evenly over the vegetables.
- Top the casserole with the shredded cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, for 15 mintues until it is bubbly and the cheese is lightly browned.
Notes
Nutrition
200 Cheap and Easy Ground Beef Recipes
Corinne says
Good recipe. Can I use can mixed veggies with the same results? I dont like frozen peas texture. Tia
prudentpennypincher.com says
Yes, you can! 🙂
Donna says
I’m single so I use my air fryer for most everything, I halved the recipe, that gave me two meals. Salad and cornbread perfect meal. I then cook another meal that has two servings. This allows me to only have to cook every four days. This recipe is perfect for my air fryer, by halving the recipe I can use a pan that fits in my air fryer. Hope this give others some different ideas.
prudentpennypincher.com says
Thanks for sharing! That sounds like a great way to make it and I bet it’s much quicker to make in air fryer too. 🙂
Janice Whalen says
What flavor of gravy packet can you use if you don’t have beef? I have turkey, chicken or pork.
Thanks.
prudentpennypincher.com says
Hi Janice,
Pork should work fine. You could also make a quick homemade brown gravy if you have flour, butter, beef bouillon cube (or beef broth) and some seasonings.
Hope that helps!
Lynn says
What kind of gravy packet do you use??
I really don’t care to make my gravy. Is it something like a McCormick‘s brown gravy or ah jus packet or what??
Want to make it tomorrow night so appreciate the help and hopefully a prompt response!
prudentpennypincher.com says
Hi Lynn,
Yes, I use McCormick‘s brown gravy for this recipe!
Sandi says
FYI:
Shepard’s Pie is called such when it is made with beef.
Cottage is when it is made with Lamb.
prudentpennypincher.com says
Hi Sandi,
Yes, I am aware. As I stated in the post, “It’s actually called cottage pie when it’s made with ground beef. However, in America, people commonly refer to it as Shepherd’s pie anyway.”
Diane says
I made this recipe tonight for dinner tonight and it was a hit with my family. Will definitely make it again
prudentpennypincher.com says
Hi Diana,
So glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed it! Thank you for taking time to come back and leave a comment 🙂
Beth says
Can I used mixed vegetables in a can? Not a cool but trying. Thanks
prudentpennypincher.com says
Yes, Beth. 🙂 That will be fine. Just be sure to drain them first.
Michelle says
This is now my go to recipe for left over mashed potatoes! I normally have all other ingredients on hand. I don’t use as much cheese, just a sprinkle. Perfect, easy dish, thanks!