Ingredients
Meat and Filling
- 1.5 lbs ground meat (beef, lamb, or turkey)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (.87 oz) package brown gravy mix
- 1 cup beef broth
- 10 oz frozen peas and carrots
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Topping
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a 7×11 or 9×9 baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside for assembling the shepherd’s pie.
- Cook Meat and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground meat for about 2 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula or wooden spoon as it browns. Add the finely diced onion and garlic powder, cooking for an additional 5 to 6 minutes until the onions are translucent. If excess grease accumulates, carefully spoon it out to avoid a greasy filling.
- Prepare Gravy Filling: Stir in the brown gravy mix, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently as the gravy thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and fold in the frozen peas and carrots, combining them evenly with the meat mixture.
- Assemble Pie: Transfer the meat and vegetable filling to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top, spreading them evenly with a rubber spatula. Press the potatoes down around the edges to create a seal that helps prevent bubbling during baking.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the filling is hot and the mashed potato topping is lightly browned. For an extra crispy edge, broil the pie for a few minutes at the end if desired.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the shepherd’s pie rest for about 10 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set and flavors to meld.
Notes
- Use leftover mashed potatoes or prepare fresh for the topping.
- To reduce fat, use lean ground turkey or beef.
- Broiling at the end adds a desirable crispness to the mashed potato crust.
- Feel free to swap frozen peas and carrots with fresh vegetables for added texture.
- Ensure sealing the edges with mashed potatoes prevents the filling from bubbling over during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
