Beef Shepherds Pie Peas (Printable)

A classic casserole combining seasoned ground beef, vegetables, peas, and creamy mashed potato topping.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Filling

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium 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 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
13 - ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons beef broth
14 - 1 cup frozen peas

→ Mashed Potato Topping

15 - 2.6 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
16 - ¼ cup milk
17 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
18 - 1 egg yolk (optional)
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Set oven to 400°F.
02 - Boil peeled, cubed potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
03 - Mash potatoes with butter and milk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Incorporate egg yolk if desired and set aside.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and carrots; cook until softened, approximately 5 minutes.
05 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until fully browned, about 7 to 8 minutes.
06 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to blend flavors.
07 - Sprinkle flour over the mixture; stir to combine and cook for 1 minute.
08 - Pour in beef broth, stirring to deglaze the pan. Simmer 5 minutes until mixture thickens.
09 - Fold in frozen peas and cook an additional 2 minutes.
10 - Transfer beef filling to a baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes evenly on top and create decorative fork patterns if desired.
11 - Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is golden and filling bubbles.
12 - Allow to rest 10 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's the kind of meal that fills the kitchen with honest, savory aromas that make everyone ask what's cooking.
  • The contrast between creamy mashed potatoes and rich beef filling feels unexpectedly luxurious for something so simple.
  • It comes together faster than you'd think, and reheats beautifully for lazy weeknight dinners.
02 -
  • Drain your boiled potatoes thoroughly, then let them steam-dry for a minute in the hot pan before mashing—this is what makes them creamy instead of gluey.
  • Don't skip browning the beef first—those caramelized bits are where the depth of flavor lives, and you taste the difference immediately.
03 -
  • Make a well in the mashed potato topping with the back of a spoon before baking—it'll catch steam and help the top brown evenly.
  • If your filling looks too thin after simmering, don't panic; the peas release liquid as they warm, and the starch from the potatoes will help it set up as it bakes.

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