Shepherd's Pie Potato Casserole Recipe

About

A hearty, comforting casserole of savory ground beef and mixed vegetables in a rich gravy, topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and baked until golden brown.

1. 1

   Preheat Oven

   preheat 15 min

   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Allow at least 10–15 minutes for the oven to reach full temperature before baking. While the oven heats, begin the potato and beef prep steps.

2. 2

   Boil Potatoes

   cook 20 min

   Place the peeled, chunked potatoes into a large pot and cover with cold salted water by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a steady boil and cook for 15–18 minutes until the potatoes are fork-tender and easily pierced. Drain thoroughly in a colander. While the potatoes boil, begin cooking the beef filling in step 3.

3. 3

   Brown the Ground Beef

   cook 8 min

   Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook for 6–8 minutes until fully browned with no pink remaining. Season with salt and pepper, then tilt the pan and spoon off excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.

4. 4

   Sauté Aromatics

   cook 5 min

   Reduce heat to medium and add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and thyme and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.

5. 5

   Build the Filling

   cook 6 min

   Stir the tomato paste into the beef and onion mixture and cook for 1 minute to caramelize slightly. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir well to coat. Add the Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and frozen mixed vegetables, stirring to combine. Simmer over medium heat for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the vegetables are heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. 6

   Mash the Potatoes

   prep 5 min

   Return the drained potatoes to the warm pot. Add 3 tablespoons of butter and the warmed milk, then mash with a potato masher until smooth and fluffy. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. The mash should be thick enough to hold its shape when spread — add milk 1 tablespoon at a time if needed.

7. 7

   Assemble the Casserole

   prep 3 min

   If using a separate baking dish, transfer the beef filling into a greased 9x13 baking dish; otherwise use the oven-safe skillet directly. Dollop the mashed potatoes evenly over the top of the filling, then spread into an even layer using the back of a spoon or a spatula. Dot the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter over the top and sprinkle with paprika.

8. 8

   Bake Until Golden

   cook 25 min

   Place the casserole in the preheated 400°F oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the mashed potato topping is golden brown and the filling is visibly bubbling around the edges. For extra browning, switch to the broiler on high for the final 2–3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.

9. 9

   Rest the Casserole

   rest 5 min

   Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest uncovered for 5 minutes. This allows the filling to settle and thicken slightly, making it easier to portion cleanly.

10. 10

    Serve

    serve

    Scoop generous portions of the casserole into shallow bowls or plates, making sure each serving includes both the beef filling and mashed potato topping. Serve immediately while hot.