Budget Shepherds Pie Cheesy (Printable Version)

Savory ground beef and veggies topped with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes baked to a golden finish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Filling

01 - 1 lb ground beef (substitute with ground turkey or lamb)
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 1 cup frozen peas
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
08 - 1 tsp dried thyme
09 - 1 tsp dried rosemary
10 - 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
11 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
12 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Mashed Potato Topping

14 - 1¾ lbs potatoes, peeled and chopped
15 - ¼ cup milk
16 - 2 tbsp butter
17 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
18 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
03 - Mash potatoes with butter, milk, half of the cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy; set aside.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add chopped onion and carrots and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
05 - Add minced garlic and ground beef to the skillet; cook while breaking up meat until browned and fully cooked.
06 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper; cook for 1 minute.
07 - Sprinkle flour over the mixture, stir well, and cook for another minute.
08 - Pour in broth and bring to a simmer; add peas and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
09 - Transfer the filling to a baking dish approximately 8x8 inches; spread mixture evenly.
10 - Spoon mashed potatoes over the filling, smooth the surface, and sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top.
11 - Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until topping is golden and filling bubbles.
12 - Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Budget-friendly ingredients make this an affordable main dish
  • Creamy cheesy topping adds a delicious twist to traditional shepherds pie
02 -
  • You can substitute ground beef with lentils or plant-based mince for a vegetarian option
  • For gluten-free, use cornstarch and confirm your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free
03 -
  • Add frozen corn or leftover vegetables for extra nutrition
  • Try a mix of cheeses to create your favorite cheesy topping
Go Back