• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Ebook!Subscribe to updates & get a recipe book!

Subscribe & Receive My Free Recipe Ebook!

The Chunky Chef

Comforting Family Recipes

  • All Recipes
  • Learn to Cook
  • Shop
    • My eBooks
    • Favorite Products
  • About
  • Contact
  • Trending:

    Slow Cooker

    Easy Dinners

    Desserts

    My Saved Recipe Box
  • Browse By:
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Sides
    • Drinks
    • Desserts
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Sandwiches
    • Healthy-ish
  • Ingredient
    • Chicken
    • Beef
    • Pork
    • Turkey
    • Seafood
    • Meatless
    • Pasta
  • Cuisine
    • Asian
    • Italian
    • Mexican
    • Hawaiian
    • Middle Eastern
    • Comfort Food
  • Method
    • One Pot
    • Crockpot
    • Instant Pot
    • Oven
    • Fried
    • Grilling/BBQ
  • Trending:

    Slow Cooker

    Easy Dinners

    Desserts

Home / One Pot Meals

Ultimate Beef Shepherd’s Pie

4.88
/5
55 minutes
56 Comments
Jump to Recipe Print Pin
By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 11/05/2017

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Rich and flavorful beef shepherd’s pie recipe, made easy in one skillet! Ground beef, tender vegetables, and fluffy mashed potatoes… what could be better!

Classic comfort food, made with readily available ground beef, sautéed mushrooms and vegetables, and a rich savory gravy sauce, all topped with fluffy mashed potatoes.  No oven safe skillet?  No worries, I’ve got that covered!

Rich and flavorful ground beef and vegetable gravy is topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and baked, all in ONE pan!  Technically cottage pie (made with beef), this version will be a family favorite dinner recipe! #shepherdspie #groundbeef #beef #cottagepie #dinner #easyrecipe #onepan #onepot #mashedpotatoes

It’s officially comfort food season… complete with chilis, casseroles, stews/soups, and great one pot/skillet meals!  This is absolutely my favorite food season, since the flavors are just fantastic, and all the food makes you want to go curl up on the couch with a blanket and a big bowl or plate.

Here in the Chunky Chef household, we love our one pot meals.  I even have a whole section of them here on the blog, have you checked them out?  There’s something really awesome about a meal that tastes amazing, and there’s not a TON of dishes to wash afterwards.

Overhead photo of shepherd's pie in cast iron skillet

Some of you may be questioning the name here… after all, a shepherd’s pie is not traditionally made with ground beef, but rather made of ground lamb or mutton.  My family is not a fan of the taste of lamb/mutton, so I always make ours with ground beef.  Plus, here in the Midwest, ground beef is much more readily available.  I almost named it Cottage Pie, which is what a Shepherd’s Pie made with beef is usually called… but here’s why I didn’t.

In a word… Google.  When food bloggers name their recipes, we have to do all sorts of keyword research to find out what sorts of things you guys type into the search bar.  There’s a lot that goes into it, but the short version is that WAY more people googled “shepherd’s pie” than “cottage pie”.  Which means, this recipe will show up in Google searches and Pinterest searches, so you can find your way here 🙂

Picture of a big serving spoonful of shepherd's pie

For this recipe, I usually use leftover mashed potatoes, but in the recipe notes section (directly following the recipe below) I’ve detailed other potato options, as everyone has their favorites.

Let’s talk about this fantastic filling!  I kept my filling to onion, carrots and mushrooms, but below are some options for some other add-ins.

  • Add frozen peas
  • Add frozen corn
  • Add some frozen green beans

Closeup of spoonful of beef shepherd's pie

The next time you’re craving something ultra comforting, I hope you give this One Skillet Beef Shepherd’s Pie Recipe a try!!

Looking for other comfort food classics?

  • Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
  • One Pot Pepperoni Pizza Pasta
  • Homestyle Chicken and Biscuits
  • One Pot Chicken and Dirty Rice

HELPFUL TOOLS:

  • Cast Iron Skillet – the most used pan in my kitchen… I love the sear it gives!

BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT OTHER READERS’ COMMENTS FOR TIPS AND REVIEWS.

AND DON’T FORGET, IF YOU’VE MADE THIS RECIPE, LEAVE A COMMENT AND PLEASE GIVE IT A STAR RATING LETTING ME KNOW HOW YOU ENJOYED IT!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

One Skillet Beef Shepherd's Pie Recipe

4.88 from 24 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Calories: 507
Servings: 8 - 10 servings
(hover over # to adjust)
Print Rate Pin
Rich and flavorful beef shepherd's pie recipe, made easy in one skillet! Ground beef, tender vegetables, and fluffy mashed potatoes... what could be better!

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 lbs ground beef (I usually use 85/15)
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 - 3 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 12 - 16 oz cremini (baby portobello) mushrooms, cleaned and quartered
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 Tbsp kosher salt , divided
  • 3 - 6 Tbsp tomato paste (I normally use around 4)
  • 1/2 - 1 cup beef stock
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, more or less to taste
  • 3 - 4 cups mashed potatoes
  • 1/3 cup grated/shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
  • minced fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.  Heat a BIG oven safe skillet over MED heat.  Add oil and ground beef and cook about 4 minutes, or until cooked through, breaking it up into small crumbles as it cooks. Once browned, transfer to a plate.  If needed, drain excess grease before adding the beef to a plate.  
  • Add butter to same skillet. Once melted, add onion, carrots, mushrooms, garlic, dried oregano, and 1/2 the salt.  Cook, stirring occasionally, about 8-10 minutes.  
  • Add in tomato paste, stirring to combine, and cook 5-7 minutes, until tomato paste is a dark, brick red color (this really brings out the tomato flavor).  
  • Return cooked ground beef to the skillet, then stir in beef stock, Worcestershire sauce remaining salt, and black pepper.  Simmer for a few minutes, until mixture is slightly thickened.
  • Top with mashed potatoes (see recipe notes section), and Parmesan cheese.  Use a fork to rough up the top of the potatoes, then dot with the butter pieces.
  • Bake 40-45 minutes, until bubbly and potatoes are browned.  Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving.  Sprinkle with minced fresh parsley and enjoy!

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Chef Tips

Mashed Potato Options:
  1. Use leftover mashed potatoes (these horseradish mashed potatoes work perfectly!).
  2. Use your slow cooker to make the mashed potatoes (like this version).
  3. Use pre-made or instant potatoes - not the best option, but works in a pinch.
  4. Alternately, in a separate pot, make your own traditional mashed potatoes:
  • 5-6 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 4 Tbsp softened butter
  • 1/2 cup milk (possibly slightly more, depending on your tastes)
  • Sprinkle of Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Boil potatoes 15 minutes, or until fork tender, then drain.  Return to hot pot, add butter and mash.  Add milk and cheese, stirring/mashing to combine.  Season to taste, then let cool before topping the shepherd's pie.
*** If you don't have an oven safe skillet, complete recipe through step 4, then transfer to a greased 3 qt baking dish, then continue with recipe, starting at step 5.

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did You Make This?Tag @the_chunky_chef on Instagram and hashtag it #thechunkychef so I can see what you made!
Tag on Insta! Leave a Rating Save for Later Saved!

Rich and flavorful ground beef and vegetable gravy is topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and baked, all in ONE pan!  Technically cottage pie (made with beef), this version will be a family favorite dinner recipe! #shepherdspie #groundbeef #beef #cottagepie #dinner #easyrecipe #onepan #onepot #mashedpotatoes

You May Also Like...

  • The Ultimate Beef Stroganoff is the most soul-warming comfort food around!  Tender beef strips, mushrooms and onions are smothered in a rich, beefy gravy and tossed with egg noodles.  Ready in about 30 minutes, it's a fabulous weeknight dinner option! #beef #beefstroganoff #stroganoff #comfortfood #dinner #weeknight #30minute #easyrecipe
    Ultimate Beef Stroganoff
  • Truly melt-in-your-mouth tender and juicy, this beef barbacoa is loaded with bold flavors and ready for your tacos, burritos, bowls, or nachos!  Directions for pressure cooker, slow cooker, and the oven! #barbacoa #beef #mexican #shreddedbeef #cincodemayo #instantpot #pressurecooker #easyrecipe
    Ultimate Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa
  • This Crockpot Chicken Lo Mein is the perfect weeknight meal!  Packed with bold flavors, plenty of veggies, and with only 20 minutes of actual "work", it's a much better alternative to Chinese takeout. #Chinesefood #asianrecipe #crockpot #slowcooker #easyrecipe #weeknightmeal #chickenlomein #takeoutfakeout
    Easy Crockpot Chicken Lo Mein
  • Amazing weeknight dinner recipes using protein powerhouse beef, that are perfect for back to school weeknights! #ad #bestangusbeef #certifiedangusbeef #steakholder #beef #weeknightdinner #weeknightmeal #weeknightrecipe #backtoschool #beefrecipes 
    Best Back-to-School Meals Using Beef
Previous Post
Next Post

Meet The Chunky Chef

Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

Learn More

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question, comment, or review below.

Recipe Rating




  1. Jennifer Monroy says

    Posted on 3/18 at 8:48 am

    By far, this is the best recipe for Shepherd’s pie!!!

    Reply
  2. Janice says

    Posted on 3/12 at 6:23 pm

    Hi! Wondering if after cooking the meat I should drain the excess oil or leave it for the veggies?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 3/13 at 9:29 pm

      Yes, as described in step 1 🙂 This will depend on the fat content of your beef though.

      Reply
  3. Madeleine says

    Posted on 2/11 at 12:02 pm

    Hi! If using frozen veggies like peas or mixed…do you cook them first before adding to the mix and baking?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 2/11 at 10:10 pm

      I wouldn’t cook them, but maybe have them sit out at room temp while you’re making it, so they’re not completely frozen. If you like your veggies with a little snap, you could use them straight from the freezer 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jeanie Chiarello says

    Posted on 2/9 at 4:42 pm

    I love this recipe. How would you reheat it?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 2/9 at 8:17 pm

      I would reheat at 350°F until hot and bubbly 🙂

      Reply
  5. Irene says

    Posted on 1/25 at 8:27 pm

    This recipe gets rave reviews every time I make it. Makes a TON and I am able to deliver a meal to my folks or my sister’s family. I make it up, put it into an oven safe pan for them and they bake it when they are ready to eat. Great flavor. Think the tomato paste is KEY! Love love love this!

    Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

welcome!

Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

New! Save Recipes To Your Own Account!

Free eBook!

Subscribe & receive my most popular recipes compiled into an easy ebook format!

download now!

Subscribe & Receive My Free Recipe Ebook!

Game Day Recipes!

These crowd-pleasing tender meatballs are smothered in a super flavorful honey garlic bbq sauce.  Perfect for parties, this crockpot meatball recipe couldn't be more simple to make! #meatballs #crockpot #slowcooker #honeygarlic #bbq #appetizer #party #honey #garlic #easyrecipe

Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs

2 hours 5 minutes

Smooth and silky queso dip, made using NO velveeta!  Packed with flavor, yet so easy to make, and party ready in just 20 minutes! #queso #dip #cheese #mexican #appetizer #party #cincodemayo #easyrecipe

Queso Dip Recipe

20 minutes

Creamy, cheesy, and oh so addicting, this bacon cheeseburger dip is just like your favorite gooey cheeseburger... but in a party-ready dip form! #bacon #gameday #cheesy #cheeseburger #party #appetizer #dip #easyrecipe

Creamy Bacon Cheeseburger Dip

32 minutes

Insanely tasty chicken wing recipe, dry rubbed, then hickory smoked to perfection.  And don't forget the homemade bourbon bbq sauce! #chickenwings #wingrecipe #smoked #smoker #smokedchickenwings #bourbon #bbq #crispy

Bourbon BBQ Smoked Chicken Wings

3 hours

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe | Classic buffalo wing flavors in an easy dip made in the crockpot. Perfect for a party, serve it up with chips or celery sticks and watch everyone go back for seconds!

Buffalo Chicken Dip (Crockpot Recipe)

2 hours 10 minutes

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels | These pinwheels are filled with a creamy chicken taco filling, which is easily customizable, and rolled up to make a perfect appetizer or party food! | http://thechunkychef.com

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels

15 minutes

More Holiday Recipes >

Who doesn’t love free stuff?

Who doesn't love free stuff? Get an ad-free ebook of my most popular recipes, plus be the FIRST to know about new things coming to the site!

Looking for something?

As Seen On…

Stay Connected

subscribe to get new posts via email:

Quick & Easy

Dinner Favorites

Hearty and positively soul-warming, this beef barley soup simmers all day in the slow cooker, which makes for an incredibly rich soup recipe! #beefbarley #soup #slowcooker #crockpot #comfortfood #barley #beefsoup #easyrecipe #dinner
M

Crockpot Beef Barley Soup

white bowl of chicken and dumplings
T

Instant Pot Chicken & Dumplings

HONEY GARLIC SALMON - Succulent and tender salmon filets cooked in a mouthwatering simple honey garlic sauce, then broiled until sticky and caramelized.  Made with simple ingredients, in one pan, and in just 20 minutes! #salmon #honeygarlic #onepan #easyrecipe #dinner #seafood #fish
W

Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

Light and filling, this Italian Wedding Soup is perfectly delicious comfort food, all year round.  Made in one pan, and ready in 30 minutes, this recipe is great for a weeknight meal! #soup #souprecipe #Italianweddingsoup #onepot #30minutemeal #weeknight #dinner #easyrecipe #homemaderecipe
R

Italian Wedding Soup

This Honey Garlic Chicken is one incredible weeknight dinner idea. Juicy chicken coated and cooked with a glorious sauce made with soy, hoisin, garlic, honey and more! Toss it all in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you! #dinner #chicken #asian #honey #garlic #honeygarlic #easyrecipe #weeknight #slowcooker #crockpot
F

Honey Garlic Chicken

S

Swedish Meatballs

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window
free e-book!

Download MY Free Recipe eBook!

Subscribe & receive my most popular recipes compiled into an easy ebook format!

get my copy!

Subscribe & Receive My Free Recipe Ebook!

As Featured On:

Back to Top

Recipes

Dinners

Appetizers

Desserts

Slow Cooker

Learn to Cook

Start Here

Tips & Tricks

e-Cookbook

Easy Recipes

  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy
  • Contact
© 2022 The Chunky Chef
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top