This easy shepherd’s pie recipe is a great recipe that you make in just a few minutes and everyone will love! It makes a great one dish meal and you can adjust it to add or remove things if you like, so it’s a super easy way to use leftovers! You can find this recipe in Volume 1 of our Dining On A Dime Cookbook.
Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe — Comfort Food Made Simple
If you’re craving a classic, hearty comfort meal that’s quick and simple, this Easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe is exactly what you need. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something warm and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.
This recipe starts with simple, ingredients you probably already have at home, like ground beef, canned veggies, and mashed potatoes and transforms them into a cozy, flavorful casserole everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Shepherd’s Pie Recipe:
- Super easy to make: Brown the beef, toss in some veggies and spices, top with creamy mashed potatoes and cheese, and bake.
- Budget-friendly: Uses everyday ingredients you probably already have on hand.
- Family-friendly: Mildly spiced and packed with veggies — a great way to please kids and adults alike.
- Comfort food classic: Perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you want that warm, home-cooked feel.
- Perfect way to use leftovers: You can adjust this Shepherd’s Pie recipe to add or remove ingredients according to your own preferences, so it’s a super easy way to use leftover veggies, ground beef, mashed potatoes, cheese, and more!
Quick Recipe Highlights:
Start by browning ground beef and onions, then add diced carrots and peas for a colorful veggie boost. Stir in tomato sauce and a simple seasoning blend to bring it all together. Spread the mixture in a casserole dish, top with fluffy mashed potatoes and shredded cheddar cheese, then bake until bubbly and golden.
In just about 30 minutes, you’ll have a comforting, delicious shepherd’s pie that’s ready to enjoy!
Give it a try and let me know how it turns out — this easy shepherd’s pie might just become your new weeknight favorite.
Easy Leftover Add-Ins for Your Shepherd’s Pie
One of the best things about this Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe is how flexible it is—making it the perfect way to use up leftovers! Beyond the classic ground beef, veggies, mashed potatoes, and cheese, you can toss in all kinds of extras to stretch your meal and avoid food waste.
Shepherd’s pie is one of those “use what you’ve got” kind of meals, so don’t be afraid to get creative with whatever’s in your fridge! Here sre some suggestions you might like:
✅ Meats:
- Leftover roast beef, steak, or pot roast – chopped or shredded
- Leftover chicken or turkey – turns it into more of a poultry cottage pie
- Sausage – crumbled or sliced, adds a savory twist
- Bacon or ham – chopped for extra flavor
✅ Vegetables (beyond the basics):
- Corn
- Green beans
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini or squash
- Spinach or kale – wilted or sautéed first
- Leftover stir-fried veggies – just drain extra sauce
✅ Carbs & Fillers:
- Leftover rice or cooked pasta – stir into the meat layer
- Cooked lentils or beans – add protein and fiber
- Stuffing/dressing – layer under or over the mashed potatoes for a holiday vibe
✅ Sauces & Extras:
- Gravy – instead of or in addition to tomato sauce
- Leftover spaghetti sauce – adds a different flavor twist
- BBQ sauce or Worcestershire sauce – for depth and richness
- Sour cream or cream cheese – mix into mashed potatoes for extra creaminess
✅ Toppings:
- Breadcrumbs or crushed crackers – sprinkle on top for crunch
- Chopped fresh herbs – parsley, thyme, or chives after baking
This easy shepherd’s pie recipe is from Volume 1 of our cookbook:
Click here to get our Dining On A Dime Cookbooks 25% Off NOW! They’re filled with tasty recipes and tips to make your life easier!
Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
You’ll love this quick and comforting shepherd’s pie recipe made with ground beef, mixed veggies, savory spices, and topped with cheesy mashed potatoes. Perfect for a simple, hearty weeknight dinner—and an easy way to use up leftovers in a delicious, no-fuss meal!
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
1 can peas or 1 can mixed vegetables for carrots and peas
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
salt and pepper (to taste)
1 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. chili powder
4 cups mashed potatoes
3/4 cup grated Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Brown ground beef and onion.
- Add carrots and cook until tender.
- Drain grease.
- Add peas.
- In a casserole dish, combine tomato sauce, salt, pepper, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder and chili powder.
- Mix well.
- Add beef mixture.
- Mix again thoroughly.
- Top with mashed potatoes and then grated cheese.
- Bake in the oven uncovered at 350° for 15 minutes or until cheese melts. Serves 4.
Thanks for sharing this recipe, I love making Sheppard’s pie some tips I swap the white potatoes for sweet potatoes and it taste delicious
It easy to make and since it takes up less time.
One easy meal that I like to include in my weekly meal planning.
I add thinly sliced leeks to the mashed potatoes and cheese on top and it’s out of this world. I also add Worcestershire sauce to the meat.
thx for the sweet potato idea
What do you mean by 2 carrots diced and 1 can mixed vegetables or peas? If I used 1 can of mixed vegetables do I need also the 2 carrots diced ?
You can do 2 carrots alone, or carrot and peas or a can of veggies and the carrots. Just adjust the kind and amount of veggies you would like. I myself don’t even use the carrots or peas or veggies. This is an easy recipe to adapt to your own tastes.
This is the first time I have ever made a Breakfast Skillet. Making for myself I downsized everything and I will be eating it twice today. I found it to be quite tasty, but I used to much bacon grease. I tipped the pan to drain. Thank you I will be doing this again!!
I use instant potatoes for my Shepard pie. It’s just dried potato .
Not real mashed potatoes.
Hi, For a little twist use a can of tomato soup instead of tomato sauce. I add dill weed to the basic recipe. Everyone love it and it adds variety to mealtime.