Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe:
Quick, Comforting & Pantry-Friendly!

Looking for a cozy, hearty meal that’s both simple and satisfying? This shepherd’s pie recipe is rich, flavorful, and topped with creamy mashed potatoes that brown beautifully under the broiler.

✅ Quick Answer: What is the easiest shepherd’s pie recipe?
The easiest shepherd’s pie recipe combines ground beef, onions, carrots, and celery in a savory sauce, topped with mashed potatoes, then broiled until golden. Use dehydrated or fresh vegetables, and you’ll have a classic, hearty dinner in under an hour.

It’s the kind of comfort food you’ll come back to again and again—whether you use pantry staples or fresh vegetables.

Shepherd's Pie in a Ramekin

This super recipe is available in our eBook: 20-Taste Tested Easy Recipes Containing Dehydrated Food. Check it out, further down the page.

Top of Recipe
Shepherd's Pie beef cooking

Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Ingredients

For the filling:

  • 1 lb. lean ground beef (70% lean)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup dehydrated onion
  • 1/2 cup dehydrated celery
  • 1 cup dehydrated carrots
  • 2 cups boiling water (for the dehydrated items)
  • 2 tablespoons plain flour
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • salt* and pepper to taste
  • 1-1/2 cups of beef stock

For the mash:

  • 5 medium white potatoes, peeled, 
  • 2 pats salted butter
  • dash whole milk (2 fl oz)

Instructions

  1. Use the freshly boiled water to rehydrate the dehydrated items above, and then discard this water.
  2. When the dehydrated items are sufficiently plump, put the veggies into a heavy saucepan with the heated olive oil, and cook for five minutes.
  3. Add the ground beef, and cook until the meat is browned through.
  4. Make the beef stock, add the ketchup, tomato paste, and Worcestershire Sauce then add this to the saucepan and cook for 10 minutes.
  5. In a small jug, add the flour and enough cold water to have a runny mixture (1/4 cup approx. of water). Stir well and we use this in Step 7.

    Make the mash:
  6. In a separate pan, add the peeled and quartered potatoes, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil and simmer until cooked through. 
  7. Discard the potato water, add salt and pepper to taste, along with a pat of butter, and a dash of milk. We're just making regular mashed potatoes here!

    Back to the filling:
  8. When the beef in Step 3 has cooked through, add the flour/water mix in Step 5 and stir thoroughly—the beef mixture will now thicken up nicely. Cook for a few minutes to make sure you don't have raw flour! Add salt/pepper to taste.
  9. Spoon the beef mixture into four ramekins and top with the mashed potatoes.
  10. Place ramekins under the broiler (not too close!) and broil until the peaks of the mashed potatoes turn brown... Enjoy!

*IF you need to add salt, do so, BUT be careful NOT to over-salt as the bouillon has salt in it.

Nutrition Information

  • Servings: 6 servings
  • Calories: 370kcals
  • Fat: 19.8g
  • Protein: 23g
  • Carbohydrates: 24.8g
Bottom of Recipe

Fresh Ingredient Swaps (Quick Substitutions)

If you want to use fresh ingredients that you may have on hand, do this:

Shepherd's Pie base with wide egg noodles

Exchange the dry ingredients in the recipe, above, for these fresh ingredients listed below!

  • 1/2 of a large onion, peeled and diced
  • 1 celery stalk, sliced
  • 1 medium carrot, washed, peeled and sliced

Serve this easy shepherd's pie recipe base with wide egg noodles, shown above!

Why Is It Called Shepherd’s Pie? (Fun History)

Shepherd's pie got its name from the fact that it was originally made with leftover lamb, a meat commonly associated with shepherds. Here's a brief history:

  • The dish originated in England in the 18th century. During this time, shepherds tended flocks of sheep in the countryside (just like I did in 1978 too!)
  • The meat used was traditionally lamb, reflecting its origins as a peasant dish made with the meat available to shepherds. Leftover lamb was used in the pie.
  • The crust was originally made by mashing potatoes and baking them on top of the lamb mixture. This gave it an appearance similar to a pie.
  • The name "shepherd's pie" first started appearing in cookbooks in the late 19th century.
  • Over time, the name became commonly used even when made with other meats like beef. But the 'shepherd' association still remains due to its origins as a lamb dish.

20 Taste-Tested Easy Recipes

20 Taste-Tested Easy Recipes eBook or Paperback

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EASY MEALS

containing dehydrated food...
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and spouse will eat!

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🍕 Pizza! 🥧  Shepherd's Pie! 🥘  Beef Stew! plus
Cauliflower Soup and Cauliflower Mash, along with crazy Carrot Soup!

Decadent Desserts: Carrot Cake and Cranberry Pineapple Pie!
and more...

Fresh food ingredient amounts are included for when you have fresh food on hand.
See which recipes are included here.


Shepherd’s Pie Questions People Ask

Can I make shepherd’s pie ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the filling and mashed potatoes in advance, then refrigerate up to 24 hours. Broil just before serving for fresh, golden peaks.

What’s the difference between shepherd’s pie and cottage pie?

Traditionally, shepherd’s pie is made with lamb, while cottage pie uses beef. Today, both names are often used interchangeably.

Can I freeze shepherd’s pie?

Absolutely. Bake and cool it first, then freeze in portions. When reheating, cover with foil and heat in the oven until the center reaches 165°F (74°C). This ensures it’s safe to eat while keeping the mashed potatoes fluffy and delicious.

Thanks so much for stopping by to check out my shepherd’s pie recipe! If you enjoyed this comforting classic, you’ll love exploring more easy meals made with pantry staples.

Don’t forget to get your free 5 Dried Food Recipes You’ll Actually Love PDF below—featuring carrot soup, minestrone soup, split pea soup, spicy beef jerky, and banana cinnamon rolls. They’re family favorites I know you’ll enjoy!

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