Final Up to date on September 3, 2025 by Carrie Korem, FNTP
In case you’re in search of an shepherd’s pie recipe simple sufficient for weeknights however nonetheless hearty and comforting, you’ve come to the appropriate place. This gluten-free and grain-free shepherd’s pie is made with healthful, nutrient-dense elements so you may get pleasure from a traditional consolation meals with out the heaviness or processed elements.
Historically, shepherd’s pie is made with floor lamb, however right here we use floor beef for a cottage-pie-style model. It’s layered with a wealthy beef and vegetable filling, then topped with creamy mashed potatoes (or cauliflower mash for a lighter choice).
Whether or not you’re feeding your loved ones, bringing a dish to a potluck, or craving consolation meals on a cold night, this simple shepherd’s pie recipe is one you’ll wish to carry on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Simple Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
- Easy elements – no gluten, grains, or processed meals.
- Versatile toppings – use potatoes for a traditional model, or cauliflower mash for low-carb.
- Make forward pleasant – assemble earlier within the day and bake when prepared.
- Household-approved – heat, cozy, and satisfying.
Elements for the Filling
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter
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1 purple bell pepper, finely chopped
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1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
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1 stalk celery, finely chopped
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2 carrots, finely chopped
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¾ teaspoon sea salt
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¼ teaspoon freshly floor black pepper
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½ teaspoon dried thyme
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2 kilos floor beef
Elements for the Mashed Potato Topping
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3 kilos Yukon potatoes, reduce into 2-inch items
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½ cup entire milk (uncooked milk if doable)
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8 tablespoons unsalted butter
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¼ cup bitter cream
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1 tablespoon Celtic sea salt (or 1 ½ tsp standard salt, then regulate to style)
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Freshly floor black pepper, optionally available
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optionally available, for topping)
Make This Simple Shepherd’s Pie Recipe:
- Prepare dinner the meat and veggies
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a big skillet, soften butter over medium warmth. Add bell pepper, onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for five minutes till tender.
- Add salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir till aromatic (about 30 seconds).
- Add floor beef and cook dinner till partially browned, about 5–7 minutes.
- Switch beef filling to a 13×9-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Make the mashed potato topping
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- Place potatoes in a big pot, cowl with water, and convey to a boil. Cut back warmth to medium-high and cook dinner 15–20 minutes, till fork tender.
- Drain, then return potatoes to the pot. Add milk, butter, bitter cream, and salt. Mash till easy. Modify seasoning as wanted.
- Assemble and bake
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- Unfold mashed potatoes evenly over the meat layer.
- Sprinkle with cheddar cheese if utilizing.
- Bake for half-hour, till effervescent and golden brown.
- Cool 10 minutes earlier than serving.
Suggestions & Variations
- Low-Carb Choice: Swap potatoes for mashed cauliflower for a lighter topping.
- Make Forward: Assemble earlier within the day, refrigerate, and bake when prepared (add 5–10 further minutes baking time).
- Freezer Pleasant: Assemble and freeze unbaked. When prepared, bake straight from frozen at 350°F, including about 1 hour.
- Additional Veggies: Add peas, inexperienced beans, or mushrooms to the filling for extra selection.
What to Serve With Simple Shepherd’s Pie
This dish is filling by itself, however you may pair it with:
This simple shepherd’s pie recipe is proof that consolation meals could be each nourishing and easy to make. With its wealthy beef filling and creamy potato (or cauliflower) topping, it’s the proper gluten-free, grain-free twist on a traditional recipe.
Whether or not for Sunday dinner, meal prep, or a household gathering, this shepherd’s pie will shortly turn out to be a favourite in your house.
Simple Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (Gluten-free)
If you could keep away from nightshades, then you should use this recipe for Mashed Cauliflower to make use of instead of the mashed potatoes.
- Prep Time: 20
- Prepare dinner Time: 95 minutes
- Whole Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6-8
- Class: essential dish
- Food plan: Gluten Free
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 purple bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 2 carrot, finely chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly floor black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 kilos floor beef
For the Potatoes:
- 3 kilos Yukon potatoes, reduce into 2-inch items
- 1/2 cup entire milk (I take advantage of uncooked milk)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup bitter cream
- 1 tablespoon coarse gray Celtic Sea salt
- Freshly floor black pepper (optionally available)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F and regulate the oven rack to medium place.
Warmth the butter in a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the bell pepper, onion, celery, and carrot and sauté the greens till tender, about 5 minutes. Make a effectively within the heart of the greens and add the salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir the seasonings in the midst of the pan till aromatic, about 30 seconds, after which stir into the greens. Add the bottom beef and stir and cook dinner till beef is partially cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
Pour the meat submitting right into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish and unfold evenly right into a single layer.
Place the potatoes in a big pot, cowl with water and convey to a boil over excessive warmth. When the water begins to boil, cut back the warmth to medium-high. Proceed to boil till potatoes are cooked by, about 15-20 minutes. Drain the potatoes after which put them again into the pot. Add the milk, butter, bitter cream and salt to the pot and utilizing a potato masher, mash the potatoes till no massive lumps stay. Season to style with salt and pepper.
Unfold the mashed potatoes over beef layer in baking dish. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake for half-hour or till effervescent and cheese is golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes earlier than serving.
