Simple Shepherd's Pie Recipe (in a Skillet!) - Pumpkin 'N Spice (2024)

This Simple Shepherd’s Pie features a unique spin on the classic version and is ready in less than 20 minutes. Loaded with zesty ground beef, cheddar cheese,mixed veggies, and topped with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes, this is the ultimate comfort dish for everyone to enjoy!

Simple Shepherd's Pie Recipe (in a Skillet!) - Pumpkin 'N Spice (1)

It’s freeeeezing outside, friends! I know it’s January and I live in the Midwest, but it’s abnormally cold for this area.I’m talking single and negative digits. But, if we’re lucky, it’ll be in the mid 30’s by Sunday…heat wave!

And when it’s bitter cold out, all I want to do is to cozy up with some warm and hearty dishes. Though I crave comfort food year round, I start to want more stick-to-your-ribs, cozy meals, if you know what I mean.

Of course,soups, stews, and chilis always make the list. But, another favorite in my household is shepherd’s pie casserole. The hubster loves it because of mashed potatoes, ground beef, and simple flavors. After all, he is a true meat-and-potatoes man.

The first time I made this Simple Shepherd’s Pie back in June of last year, the hubster and I were hooked. The texture, the flavor, and the taste was pure comfort.No complicated ingredients, no standing over the stove for hours, just pure, simple comfort food.

Since I’m all about the easy recipes around here, this dish quickly made it to the top of our meal rotation. And even better, it’s the perfect dish for the January installment of 30-Minute Thursday!

What makes this Easy Shepherd’s Pie extra special is the ground beef mixture. Instead of the usual gravy mixture, taco seasoning is used in place of it. That’s part of what makes this dish zesty and simple! The ground beef is also tossed with some shredded cheddar cheese and frozen mixed veggies. And then the topping! It wouldn’t be shepherd’s pie without the mashed potatoes on top.

Flavorful, easy to make, and packed with simple ingredients, this Easy Shepherd’s Pie is guaranteed to be a hit at the dinner table all year long!

Simple Shepherd's Pie Recipe (in a Skillet!) - Pumpkin 'N Spice (2)

What’s in Shepherd’s Pie?

Trust me when I say that this is comfort food to the max. Fast, easy, and hearty comfort food, all with ingredients that you may just have in your kitchen right now.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this simple shepherd’s pie with cheese:

  • Ground beef
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Water
  • Taco seasoning
  • Frozen mixed vegetables
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Leftover mashed potatoes

How to Make This Simple Shepherd’s Pie

This quick shepherd’s pie features a unique spin on the classic version and is ready in less than 20 minutes. Loaded with zesty ground beef, cheddar cheese,mixed veggies, and topped with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes, this is the ultimate comfort dish for everyone to enjoy!

  1. Preheat broiler to medium heat.

  2. In a large, ovenproof skillet, cook and crumble ground beef, minced onion, and garlic over medium heat until beef is no longer pink.

  3. Stir in water, taco seasoning, and mixed vegetables and warm over medium heat until vegetables are tender.

  4. Add 1 cup of cheese and stir. Remove from heat and set aside.

  5. In a medium bowl, mix mashed potatoes and remaining cheese. Spread in an even layer over ground beef mixture.

  6. Broil for 4-6 minutes, or until potatoes are slightly golden.

Simple Shepherd's Pie Recipe (in a Skillet!) - Pumpkin 'N Spice (3)

Can I Use Another Type of Meat?

Yes! Any ground meat should work in this recipe. Traditional shepherd’s pie is made with ground lamb, but you can also use ground turkey, chicken, or pork. Just keep in mind that ground poultry is very low in fat, so you may want to add extra olive oil to the skillet to make up for that.

Can I Prep This in Advance?

Yes! You can assemble the shepherd’s pie casserole, wrap it in foil, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it off. If you go this route, you’ll have to bake the casserole at 350F for about 30 minutes rather than broil it for just a few minutes.

Tips for the Best Shepherd’s Pie

  • Instead of using homemade mashed potatoes, I opted for the refrigerated, store-bought kind. Of course, you could also make your own, or use leftovers, but we’re going for convenience here, friends.
  • I used a pre-made frozen veggie medley, but you can add any blend of vegetables you’d like.
  • I mixed shredded cheddar into the mashed potatoes, but you can also sprinkle extra cheese on top if desired.

Looking for more ground beef dinner recipes? I’ve got you covered!

  • Pepperoni Pizza Hamburger Helper
  • Cheeseburger Casserole
  • Creamy Ground Beef Pasta
  • Ground Beef Stroganoff
  • Cheesy Beef Tortellini Skillet

Simple Shepherd's Pie Recipe (in a Skillet!) - Pumpkin 'N Spice (4)

Simple Shepherd’s Pie

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

This Simple Shepherd's Pie features a unique spin on the classic version and is ready in less than 20 minutes. Loaded with zesty ground beef, cheddar cheese,mixed veggies, and topped with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes, this is the ultimate comfort dish for everyone to enjoy!

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Ingredients

  • pounds ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
  • ½ teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 envelope taco seasoning
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, , divided
  • 3 cups refrigerated leftover mashed potatoes, (see note)

Instructions

  • Preheat broiler to medium heat.

  • In a large, ovenproof skillet, cook and crumble ground beef, minced onion, and garlic over medium heat until beef is no longer pink. Drain mixture and return to skillet.

  • Stir in water, taco seasoning, and mixed vegetables and warm over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Add 1 cup of cheese and stir. Remove from heat and set aside.

  • In a medium bowl, mix mashed potatoes and remaining cheese. Spread in an even layer over ground beef mixture.

  • Broil for 4-6 minutes, or until potatoes are slightly golden.

  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Mashed potatoes: If using the refrigerated, store-bought kind, you'll need a 24-ounce container.

Serving: 1g, Calories: 538kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Cholesterol: 110mg, Sodium: 326mg, Potassium: 760mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 2617IU, Vitamin C: 29mg, Calcium: 244mg, Iron: 3mg

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course

Author: Gayle

Did you make this recipe?Let me know! Mention @pumpkin_n_spice on Instagram or tag #pumpkin_n_spice.

Simple Shepherd's Pie Recipe (in a Skillet!) - Pumpkin 'N Spice (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep shepherd's pie from falling apart? ›

How do you keep shepherds pie from falling apart? The eggs in the mashed potatoes help keep the pie together. You should also make sure to spread the potatoes and press down a bit.

Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? ›

A good shepherd's – or indeed cottage – pie, needs a solid, but fluffy top: too much milk or butter, and you'll end up with a sloppy puree instead.

How do you make shepherd's pie not runny? ›

Thicken the Filling – Stir in salt, pepper, and flour. Add beef stock and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the liquid to a simmer and cook until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes.

What is shepherd's pie traditionally made of? ›

Shepherd's pie comes to us from England, and is traditionally made with lamb or mutton.

Why is flour used in shepherds pie? ›

This shepherd's pie recipe uses 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken the gravy but if you feel like the meat mixture is too watery, add in another tablespoon and stir to combine. You may also try simmering the mince mixture for longer so that the stock reduces down and thickens.

Why is my shepherd's pie greasy? ›

After cooking the beef, onion, and herbs, be sure to drain the grease out of the pan. Otherwise, you will find yourself with a greasy shepherd's pie. Stir well. Especially when adding the flour and tomato paste.

How do you make a meat pie without a soggy bottom? ›

Blind-bake your base before adding a filling to help to firm the base and avoid liquid being absorbed into it. Prick the base with a fork to help steam escape, cover with foil or parchment, and weigh it down with ceramic baking beans, uncooked rice or white sugar.

How hot should shepherds pie be? ›

Stir often to crumble, until cooked through and temperature reaches 160°F on a food thermometer.

Why does my potato sink in shepherds pie? ›

Residual moisture from the potatoes will drip into the beef below as it cooks, and too much of it will cause the potatoes to eventually sink. Aside from ridding your potatoes of excess moisture before you mash them, it also helps to cool the beef down, BBC Good Food shares.

How to thicken up shepherd's pie sauce? ›

Flour power

A classic thickening method for a classic dish. A few tablespoons of flour, cooked-out so you can't taste it, turns a thin sauce into a velvety gravy of dreams.

How to know if shepherd's pie is cooked? ›

When you're ready to eat the pie, place the dish on a large foil, lined baking sheet as it will probably bubble over, then place in the oven for 30-40 minutes until the top is golden and the gravy is bubbling up around the edges. If you are cooking it from the fridge it will take 15-20 minutes longer to heat.

Why do Irish people eat shepherd's pie? ›

"Shepherd's Pie is one the most traditional Irish dishes I know of," she said. Culhane said the meal became popular in Ireland for a simple reason: It's easy to make, it makes a lot and it's cheap. Although there are many variations, most Shepherd's Pies are made with ground meat, potatoes, carrots, peas and onions.

What is a shepherds pie called when it is made from beef? ›

The main difference between Cottage Pie and Shepherd's pie is cottage pie uses ground beef, and Shepherd's pie uses ground lamb. Both pies are cooked with vegetables and gravy and baked under a layer of mashed potatoes. To make Shepherd's pie using this recipe, simply substitute ground lamb.

Is shepherds pie german or irish? ›

Many people believe that the peasant housewives invented the pie as an easy way to repackage leftovers from their Sunday roast. The Shepherd Pie is thought to originate from Ireland and the northern parts of England.

Why does my meat pie fall apart? ›

The pie dough is too dry!

The butter should stay firm so it doesn't soften and combine with the flour. Wondering why can't you use a spoon? The trick here is to hydrate the flour with just enough water to get the dough to stick together.

How do you stop a pie gap? ›

Use butter, not shortening

Pie crust made entirely with shortening will produce pie with a wonderfully crisp crimped edge, but also — potentially — a gap beneath the top crust. A pie crust based on butter is less likely to make a gap in pie than one made with shortening.

Why does my pie collapse? ›

Any number of things can contribute to a slumping crust. Maybe your recipe uses an extra-high amount of shortening or butter, or you rolled the crust too vigorously, or you didn't let it rest and chill before baking. Perhaps you used the wrong size pan, or not enough filling.

Why did my pie split? ›

Those cracks you see in your pie are the result of overcooked eggs, eggs that have tightened up so much, in an uneven way, that they've created fissures in the filling.

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