Craving comfort food that’s easy to make and packed with flavor? Look no further than this Skillet Shepherd’s Pie! It’s a one-pan wonder that combines savory ground beef, colorful veggies, and creamy mashed potatoes into a hearty, satisfying meal. Perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something delicious without the fuss!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Skillet Wonder: Less cleanup means more time to enjoy your meal!
- Comfort Food at Its Finest: It’s like a warm hug for your taste buds.
- Versatile: Easily adaptable to suit your taste preferences or what’s in your pantry.
- Family-Friendly: A crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will love.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: The star of the show, bringing richness and protein.
- Onion and Garlic: For that aromatic base that elevates the flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a tangy depth that’s irreplaceable.
- Onion Soup Mix: A flavor bomb that saves you time and effort.
- Frozen Veggies: Convenient and colorful, adding nutrition and texture.
- Potatoes: The creamy topping that makes this dish irresistible.
- Butter and Milk: For ultra-creamy mashed potatoes.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a savory kick to the potato topping.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
- Meat Swap: Try ground lamb for a traditional Shepherd’s Pie or turkey for a lighter option.
- Veggie Mix-up: Use any frozen veggie mix you like or go fresh with diced carrots and peas.
- Cheesy Goodness: Add shredded cheddar to the potato topping for extra indulgence.
- Herb it Up: Mix fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary into the meat mixture for added flavor.
How to Make Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
Step 1: Prep the Potatoes
Start by boiling those spuds. While they’re cooking, move on to the meaty goodness.
Step 2: Cook the Beef
Brown that beef in your skillet, then add onions and garlic for a flavor boost.
Step 3: Build the Flavors
Toss in the Worcestershire sauce, onion soup mix, and broth. It’s like building a flavor fortress!
Step 4: Add Veggies
Stir in those colorful frozen veggies. They’ll bring life to the party.
Step 5: Mash the Potatoes
Drain and mash those potatoes with butter, milk, and Parmesan. Make them as smooth as silk.
Step 6: Assemble and Bake
Spread that potato goodness over the meat mixture, rough up the top with a fork (it’ll get nice and crispy), and bake until golden.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Overwork the Potatoes: Mash just until smooth to avoid gummy potatoes.
- Season as You Go: Taste and adjust seasoning at each step for a perfectly balanced dish.
- Use a Cast Iron Skillet: It’ll give you the best crispy edges on your potatoes.
How to Serve
Serve this Skillet Shepherd’s Pie straight from the oven, letting everyone dig in family-style. It pairs wonderfully with:
- A crisp green salad
- Crusty bread for soaking up any juices
- A glass of red wine for the adults
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, about 20-25 minutes.
FAQs
Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the beef for lentils or a plant-based ground meat substitute.
What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?
No worries! Transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish before topping with potatoes and baking.
Can I use instant mashed potatoes?
While homemade is best, instant potatoes will work in a pinch. Just prepare according to package instructions.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Check your Worcestershire sauce and onion soup mix labels to ensure they’re gluten-free, and you’re good to go!
This Skillet Shepherd’s Pie is the ultimate comfort food that’s sure to become a family favorite. It’s simple, delicious, and perfect for those nights when you need a hearty meal without the hassle. Give it a try, and watch it disappear from the table in no time!
Print
Skillet Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: British
Description
Skillet Shepherd’s Pie is a comforting, one-pan meal that combines savory ground beef, vibrant mixed vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes. This hearty dish is perfect for family dinners or meal prep, offering a delicious blend of flavors and textures in every bite.
Ingredients
For Meat Mixture:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/4 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1.9 ounce onion soup mix (Knorr, 55g pkg)
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, green beans, and corn)
For Mashed Potatoes:
- 6 large potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
- 4 tablespoon softened butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes
In a large pot, boil the potato cubes for about 15 minutes or until fork-tender. While the potatoes are cooking, proceed with preparing the meat mixture. - Prepare the meat mixture
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 5 minutes until no longer pink, breaking it up as you go. - Add ingredients
Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for 3 more minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Stir in the pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, onion soup mix, and beef broth. Add the frozen vegetables and cook for a couple more minutes. Set aside. - Preheat oven
Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). - Prepare the mashed potatoes
Drain the cooked potatoes and transfer them to a large bowl. Add the butter and mash until smooth. Mix in the milk, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, mashing until creamy and well combined. - Assemble the shepherd’s pie
Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the meat mixture in the skillet. Use a fork to create a textured pattern on top. - Bake
Place the skillet on a baking sheet and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 40 minutes until the top is golden brown. - Garnish and serve
Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
- Be cautious with salt addition as the onion soup mix contains sodium.
- Using frozen vegetables saves prep time.
- For best results, make homemade mashed potatoes.
- Brown the beef in the serving skillet for maximum flavor.
- If using higher fat content ground beef, omit the olive oil.
- Cut the butter into pieces for easier potato mashing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
