Old Fashioned Shepherd’s Pie Skillet Recipe

Shepherd’s Pie Skillet Recipe, also known as shepards pie or cottage pie, is a dish that has remained a family favorite for generations.

This skillet recipe is the ultimate comfort food made with ground beef, vegetables cooked in a thick beef gravy, topped with fluffy mashed potatoes, and baked in the oven.

This hearty and comforting meal is the ideal traditional home-cooked food, packed with rich flavors that will take you on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.  

In this blog post, I will share my take on the old-fashioned shepherd’s pie recipe with corn. 

What is Shepherd’s Pie?

Traditional Irish Shepherd’s Pie is a classic dish originating in the United Kingdom and is traditionally made with ground lamb, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. 

The dish typically consists of a layer of cooked ground meat, such as lamb or beef, mixed with sautéed onions, frozen peas, and carrots, all coated in a rich gravy or sauce. 

The mixture is then topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until the top is crispy and golden brown. 

While the dish is commonly made with lamb, variations with beef, turkey, or vegetarian options are also popular. 

Shepherd’s pie skillet is a hearty and comforting dish that has become a beloved staple in many households, particularly during the colder months or as a celebration meal for St. Patrick’s Day.

Shepherd’s pie With Corn

While there are traditional ways to make shepherd’s pie, the beauty of this dish is that it can be customized to suit individual tastes. 

Some people like adding different herbs and spices to their beef filling, while others might experiment with different vegetables or meats.

Our family prefers to make shepherd’s pie with corn as the only vegetable. However, feel free to customize this classic recipe according to your preferences.

Shepherd’s Pie Ingredients

Shepherd’s Pie typically consists of two main components. The filling and the mashed potato topping.

Meat Filling

Here are the ingredients you will need for the meat filling:

• Ground Beef: Lean ground beef is the more common meat option as it is affordable, flavorful, and protein-packed. However, you can also use ground lamb.
• Vegetables: Some common shepherd pie vegetables include carrots, peas, onions, celery, and corn, but other vegetables like green beans or mushrooms can also be added. You can use fresh, canned, or frozen vegetables.
• Flour: all-purpose flour is mixed with the ground meat and broth to make a thick gravy.
• Beef Broth: Broth adds flavor to the dish and creates a thick, rich gravy that coats the meat and vegetables. The beef broth is mixed with the flour to create a roux helping to bind the meat and vegetables together and give the dish a hearty, comforting texture.

Shepherd’s Pie Seasoning

Shepherd’s pie seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices commonly used to flavor meat and vegetables. The seasoning typically includes:

• Parsley 
• Rosemary 
• Thyme 
• Salt + Pepper
• Minced Onion
• Minced Garlic
• Worcestershire Sauce 

Mashed Potato Topping

Here are the ingredients you will need for the mashed potato topping:

• Yellow Potatoes – Peel, cut into 1-inch cubes, and boil potatoes until soft. 
• Butter – The cooked potatoes are mashed with butter to make them creamy and smooth.
• Half and Half – A combination of milk and cream added to give the mashed potato topping a rich, creamy texture
• Salt + Pepper – Added to taste, bringing out the flavor of the potatoes and adding a bit of seasoning to the dish.

How To Make Old Fashioned Skillet Shepard’s Pie Skillet

For measurements and the full printable recipe, you can find it located at the bottom of this post. Here is how to make skillet shepherd’s pie:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

In a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat on the stove top, brown the ground beef or lamb, breaking it up with a spatula or a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Step 3: Add the Seasonings

Stir in Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, dried parsley, rosemary, thyme, minced onion, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4: Make the Roux

Sprinkle the flour over the ground beef mixture in the skillet and stir until everything is evenly coated. Cook for 1-2 minutes to let the flour cook.

Step 5: Add the Beef Broth

Pour in the beef broth and stir until everything is combined. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 5-10 minutes or until the mixture has thickened. 

Step 6: Add the Vegetables

Once you have cooked the meat, add the mixed vegetables and/or corn to the skillet. Mix well to combine. If you are using canned vegetables, drain off the juice before adding them to the skillet.

Step 7: How to Layer Shepherd’s Pie with Corn

Leave the meat and vegetable mixture in the large skillet as the base layer of the shepherd’s pie. Spread it out into an even layer and set the meat mixture aside.

Step 8: Make the Mashed Potato Topping

Boil the peeled and cubed potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain potatoes in a colander and add them back to the pot.

Step 9: Mash the Potatoes

Add the butter, half & half, salt, and black pepper to the pot with the potatoes. Use a potato masher to mash everything together until the potatoes are smooth and creamy.

Step 10: Add the Mashed Potatoes

Using a large spoon or spatula, spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the meat and vegetable mixture in the skillet, making sure to cover the entire surface.

Step 11: Bake the Shepherd’s Pie.

Transfer skillet to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

Step 12: Serve and Enjoy! 

Once the shepherd’s pie is baked and ready, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. 

You can serve it directly from the skillet with your favorite sides for a delicious homestyle meal!

Tips for Making the Best Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

• Meat – For a traditional shepherd’s pie, replace the ground beef with ground lamb. Ground turkey is an excellent option if you’re looking for a lighter alternative.

• Vegetables – While our family prefers corn in our Shepherd’s Pie, the more traditional options include peas and carrots. You can also use a variety of other vegetables, including green beans, corn, bell peppers, mushrooms, or even a combination of these. 

• Potatoes – The most common are yellow, also known as Yukon Gold potatoes. However, you can opt for Russet potatoes.

• Type of Mashed Potatoes – For the mashed potato topping, instant potatoes are a great choice if you’re looking for a quick solution. Alternatively, using leftover mashed potatoes is a great way to repurpose them from a previous meal.

• Onion and Garlic – While I prefer to use minced onion and garlic in this recipe, you can substitute them with 1 medium onion and two minced garlic cloves.

• Add Cheese – Once you have layered the meat filling and mashed potatoes in your baking dish or skillet, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the potatoes before baking. Cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese are both popular choices.

• Baking Vessels – While I love using a cast-iron skillet to make this classic comfort food, you can also use a 9×13 casserole dish. 

Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Shepherd’s Pie is a convenient and easy recipe that can be prepared beforehand, making it a perfect option for busy schedules or planned gatherings. 

To make it ahead, follow the recipe instructions and assemble the shepherd’s pie in a baking dish. Instead of baking it immediately, cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate it. 

When you’re ready to serve, heat oven to 375 degrees. Remove the dish from the refrigerator, and allow it to come to room temperature while the oven heats up. 

Bake the shepherd’s pie according to the recipe’s instructions, adding a few extra minutes of baking time if needed to ensure it’s heated through.

Storing Leftovers

To store the leftovers of shepherd’s pie, let it cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the leftovers into an airtight container.

• Refrigerator – Store the Shepherd’s Pie in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

• Freezer – you can also freeze the leftovers. Place the leftovers in a freezer-safe container. They can be stored in the freezer for 2-3 months. 

When ready to enjoy the leftovers, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

It’s important to note that the texture of the mashed potato topping may change slightly after freezing, but the flavors will still be delicious.

How Long to Bake Shepherds Pie at 375

To bake Shepherd’s Pie at 375°F (190°C), bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

What Vegetables Go in Shepherd’s Pie?

Common shepherd pie skillet vegetables include onions, carrots, and peas. Other options include celery, mushrooms, green beans, corn, and bell peppers, depending on personal preferences and regional variations. 

Can You Skip Tomato Paste in Shepherd’s Pie?

Yes. Tomato paste is not a mandatory ingredient in Shepherd’s Pie, and you can still create a delicious dish without it. My version is made without tomato paste.

What to Serve with Shepherds Pie

When Shepherd’s Pie is served at home, we always pair it with our favorite side dishes:

• Pan Fried Asparagus
• Rosemary Garlic Dinner Rolls

Click HERE to discover 45+ best sides to serve with Shepherd’s Pie for your family dinner.

Old fashioned Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

This is a hearty meal with comforting flavors for the entire family.

Whether you stick to the classic recipe or add your twists, skillet shepherd’s pie will surely become a favorite, creating lasting memories around the dinner table.