Beef Shepherds Pie Peas (Printable)

Comforting beef casserole with peas, carrots, and a creamy mashed potato topping.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef Filling

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 large carrots, diced
05 - 1.1 pounds ground beef
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
08 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
09 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
10 - Salt and pepper, to taste
11 - 1 cup beef broth
12 - 1 cup frozen peas
13 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

→ Mashed Potato Topping

14 - 2.2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
15 - 1/4 cup milk
16 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
17 - Salt and pepper, to taste
18 - 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F.
02 - Boil a large pot of salted water; add potatoes and cook until tender, approximately 15 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
03 - Mash potatoes with milk and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Optionally, fold in grated cheddar cheese for richness.
04 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook onion and garlic until softened, about 3 minutes.
05 - Add diced carrots; cook for 4 to 5 minutes while stirring frequently.
06 - Incorporate ground beef; break apart and cook until no pink remains, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
07 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper; cook for 2 minutes.
08 - Sprinkle flour over filling; stir to coat. Pour in beef broth and bring to a simmer.
09 - Mix in peas; simmer 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning as needed.
10 - Transfer filling to a 2-quart baking dish.
11 - Evenly spread mashed potato mixture over filling; create decorative ridges with a fork.
12 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the topping is golden and filling is bubbling.
13 - Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's the kind of dish that tastes even better the next day when you reheat it and the flavors have all gotten to know each other.
  • You can have it on the table in just over an hour, which means weeknight dinner without the stress.
  • That crispy golden potato top paired with the savory beef filling is the kind of textural contrast that makes you want seconds before you've even finished your first bite.
02 -
  • The flour step might seem small, but it's what keeps your filling from being watery and soup-like instead of thick and clinging.
  • Don't skip draining your potatoes properly or your topping will turn gluey instead of fluffy and cloud-like.
  • Taste the filling before it goes in the oven and season it aggressively, because the potatoes on top will dilute the flavors slightly.
03 -
  • If your beef filling looks greasy, tilt the pan and spoon off the excess fat before you add the tomato paste, because it matters for how the final dish tastes.
  • For a traditional shepherd's pie, substitute lamb for beef, which gives you a slightly more delicate and aromatic filling that feels almost elegant.

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