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A golden-brown Easy Shepherd's Pie Casserole in a skillet with creamy mashed potato ridges and bubbling gravy.

Ultimate Easy Shepherd's Pie Casserole

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
Calories 485 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs ground lamb
  • 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots , diced
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Place the cubed potatoes in a large pot of cold salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for 12-15 minutes until fork-tender.
  • While potatoes boil, heat a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground lamb and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain excess fat.
  • Add the diced onion and carrots to the skillet with the meat. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables have softened.
  • Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, allowing the liquid to reduce and thicken into a savory gravy.
  • Stir in the frozen peas and season the meat mixture with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
  • Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash with butter and heavy cream until smooth, then stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
  • Spread the mashed potatoes in an even layer over the meat mixture in the skillet. Use a fork to create decorative ridges on the surface for extra browning.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, or until the potato topping is lightly browned and the filling is bubbling around the edges.