Final Up to date on September 3, 2025 by Carrie Korem, FNTP
In the event you’re in search of an shepherd’s pie recipe simple sufficient for weeknights however nonetheless hearty and comforting, you’ve come to the suitable place. This gluten-free and grain-free shepherd’s pie is made with healthful, nutrient-dense substances so you possibly can take pleasure in a basic consolation meals with out the heaviness or processed substances.
Historically, shepherd’s pie is made with floor lamb, however right here we use floor beef for a cottage-pie-style model. It’s layered with a wealthy beef and vegetable filling, then topped with creamy mashed potatoes (or cauliflower mash for a lighter possibility).
Whether or not you’re feeding your loved ones, bringing a dish to a potluck, or craving consolation meals on a cold night, this simple shepherd’s pie recipe is one you’ll need to carry on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Straightforward Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
- Easy substances – no gluten, grains, or processed meals.
- Versatile toppings – use potatoes for a basic model, or cauliflower mash for low-carb.
- Make forward pleasant – assemble earlier within the day and bake when prepared.
- Household-approved – heat, cozy, and satisfying.
Substances for the Filling
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter
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1 crimson bell pepper, finely chopped
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1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
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1 stalk celery, finely chopped
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2 carrots, finely chopped
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¾ teaspoon sea salt
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¼ teaspoon freshly floor black pepper
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½ teaspoon dried thyme
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2 kilos floor beef
Substances for the Mashed Potato Topping
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3 kilos Yukon potatoes, lower into 2-inch items
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½ cup entire milk (uncooked milk if attainable)
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8 tablespoons unsalted butter
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¼ cup bitter cream
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1 tablespoon Celtic sea salt (or 1 ½ tsp typical salt, then modify to style)
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Freshly floor black pepper, elective
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (elective, for topping)
The best way to Make This Straightforward Shepherd’s Pie Recipe:
- Cook dinner the meat and veggies
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a big skillet, soften butter over medium warmth. Add bell pepper, onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for five minutes till tender.
- Add salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir till aromatic (about 30 seconds).
- Add floor beef and prepare dinner till partially browned, about 5–7 minutes.
- Switch beef filling to a 13×9-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Make the mashed potato topping
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- Place potatoes in a big pot, cowl with water, and convey to a boil. Scale back warmth to medium-high and prepare dinner 15–20 minutes, till fork tender.
- Drain, then return potatoes to the pot. Add milk, butter, bitter cream, and salt. Mash till clean. Alter seasoning as wanted.
- Assemble and bake
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- Unfold mashed potatoes evenly over the meat layer.
- Sprinkle with cheddar cheese if utilizing.
- Bake for half-hour, till effervescent and golden brown.
- Cool 10 minutes earlier than serving.
Suggestions & Variations
- Low-Carb Possibility: Swap potatoes for mashed cauliflower for a lighter topping.
- Make Forward: Assemble earlier within the day, refrigerate, and bake when prepared (add 5–10 further minutes baking time).
- Freezer Pleasant: Assemble and freeze unbaked. When prepared, bake straight from frozen at 350°F, including about 1 hour.
- Further Veggies: Add peas, inexperienced beans, or mushrooms to the filling for extra selection.
What to Serve With Straightforward Shepherd’s Pie
This dish is filling by itself, however you possibly can pair it with:
This simple shepherd’s pie recipe is proof that consolation meals could be each nourishing and easy to make. With its wealthy beef filling and creamy potato (or cauliflower) topping, it’s the right gluten-free, grain-free twist on a basic recipe.
Whether or not for Sunday dinner, meal prep, or a household gathering, this shepherd’s pie will rapidly change into a favourite in your house.
Straightforward Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (Gluten-free)
If you might want to keep away from nightshades, then you need to use this recipe for Mashed Cauliflower to make use of rather than the mashed potatoes.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook dinner Time: 95 minutes
- Whole Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6-8
- Class: essential dish
- Eating regimen: Gluten Free
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 crimson bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 2 carrot, finely chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly floor black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 kilos floor beef
For the Potatoes:
- 3 kilos Yukon potatoes, lower into 2-inch items
- 1/2 cup entire milk (I take advantage of uncooked milk)
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup bitter cream
- 1 tablespoon coarse gray Celtic Sea salt
- Freshly floor black pepper (elective)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F and modify the oven rack to medium place.
Warmth the butter in a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the bell pepper, onion, celery, and carrot and sauté the greens till tender, about 5 minutes. Make a nicely within the middle of the greens and add the salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir the seasonings in the course of the pan till aromatic, about 30 seconds, after which stir into the greens. Add the bottom beef and stir and prepare dinner till beef is partially cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
Pour the meat submitting right into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish and unfold evenly right into a single layer.
Place the potatoes in a big pot, cowl with water and convey to a boil over excessive warmth. When the water begins to boil, cut back the warmth to medium-high. Proceed to boil till potatoes are cooked by way of, about 15-20 minutes. Drain the potatoes after which put them again into the pot. Add the milk, butter, bitter cream and salt to the pot and utilizing a potato masher, mash the potatoes till no massive lumps stay. Season to style with salt and pepper.
Unfold the mashed potatoes over beef layer in baking dish. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake for half-hour or till effervescent and cheese is golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes earlier than serving.
