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Easy Skillet Shepherd's Pie

This Easy Skillet Shepherd's Pie is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a savory ground beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes. It's a convenient one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights and customizable to your liking.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup milk or more, as needed
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Equipment

  • Large Oven-Safe Skillet (Cast Iron Recommended)
  • Large pot
  • Potato masher or ricer
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's knife
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
  2. Drain the potatoes well and return them to the pot.
  3. Add the milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy, adding more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency. Set aside.
  4. Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  6. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  7. Stir in the garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
  8. Season with salt and pepper.
  9. Sprinkle the flour over the meat and vegetables and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  10. Gradually pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  11. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
  12. Stir in the frozen peas, frozen corn, and Worcestershire sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  13. Spoon the mashed potatoes evenly over the meat filling in the skillet.
  14. Optional: Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
  15. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the mashed potatoes are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  16. Let the Skillet Shepherd's Pie cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For the fluffiest mashed potatoes, use a potato ricer or food mill and avoid over-mixing. Feel free to customize the vegetables to your liking, such as mushrooms or green beans. You can assemble the Shepherd's Pie ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Leftover Skillet Shepherd's Pie can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheated in the oven or microwave. For a lighter option, use ground turkey. For a vegetarian option, replace the ground meat with lentils or a vegetarian ground meat substitute.