Crock Pot Shepherd's Pie

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Did you know you can make a Crock Pot Shepherd's Pie that tastes just as good as the classic but so much easier to make? It's true! The slow cooker saves you so much time when cooking this dish! All you need to do is load up the crock pot and let it do its thing! It's an easy weeknight feast the whole family will enjoy.

Crock pot shepherds pie with a wooden spoon in it.

This shepherd's pie really shines for me because it cooks up so hearty and delicious, yet so easy to work the time into my busy day to make it!. Beef and vegetables in a savory sauce topped with mashed potatoes, makes a great family dinner with very little effort.

Combined with yummy sides like Brussel sprouts and a dessert like this crock pot lava cake, Beef shepherd's pie works as an easy weeknight meal or lazy weekend dinner for families and friends!

If you love this ground beef recipe, you've got to try my slow cooker stuffed peppers next!

Why You'll Love This Crock Pot Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses basic ingredients you can easily find at the grocery store. It always amazes how little it takes to create its deep flavor.
Convenient: Just a little prep at the start and then the slow cooker does all the work.
Versatile: This dish is perfect for dinners of all kinds! I especially love to make it for large gatherings or potlucks because I can get some of the prep done ahead of time and it works great to double the recipe.
Kid-Friendly: Having trouble getting the kids to try something new. This classic combination of meat and potatoes in a beef gravy is sure to a hit even with picky eaters.

Ingredients

This classic recipe combines beef, vegetables, potatoes, and a few other basic ingredients to create a rustic meal. Here's a look at what you need to grab.

Ground Beef: This dish is traditionally made using ground beef. I've found though it works with just about any type of ground meat. Give it a try with pork, turkey, chicken, or even lamb to make an authentic cottage pie.
Onion and Garlic: This classic aromatic duo adds a sweet, mildly pungent flavor to the overall flavor profile of the dish.
Spices: Rosemary, thyme, pepper, and salt work together to create a slightly sweet, earthy, and savory flavor blend that pairs well with the beef and potatoes. I prefer using dried herbs to use up spices in my pantry without needing to buy more groceries. If you have access to fresh rosemary or thyme, increase the quantity to one tablespoon of each.
Frozen Mixed Peas and Carrots: Peas and carrots are classic vegetable additions to shepherd's pie. I use frozen veggies because it makes the prep and cooking much easier. You can also use frozen mixed vegetables which has corn and green beans as well as peas and carrots.
Tomato Paste, Beef Broth, and Worcestershire Sauce: The combination of these ingredients creates a hearty broth with deep flavor. The tomato paste adds some thickness and sweetness, the beef intensifies the beef flavor of the sauce, and the Worcestershire sauce boosts the umami flavor of the broth.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch thickens the juice, turning into a gravy-like sauce.
Potatoes: I prefer using Russet potatoes for fluffy and light mashed potatoes. You can also use Yukon gold potatoes or another type of all-purpose potato if you prefer.
Sour Cream and Butter: Butter and sour cream add richness, flavor, and an extra creamy texture to the mashed potato topping.
Cheddar Cheese: Cheese adds flavor and makes a nice topping when it melts over the top. You can use whatever type of cheese you prefer.

For the full list of ingredients including the quantities you need of each one check the recipe card further down the page.

Flavor Variations

Chicken Shepherd's Pie: Instead of the ground meat try this recipe with shredded chicken instead of the ground meat. I also like to swap the beef broth for chicken broth when making it this way.
Fresh Veggies: If you prefer to use fresh veggies instead, make sure to dice them small so they cook up tender. You can stick with fresh carrots and peas, or even consider adding other veggies such as green beans, corn, parsnips, or mushrooms. You can also add some greens such as spinach or kale but I suggest stirring it in towards the end of cooking (before you add the potato layer) as it will wilt very quickly.

Love this recipe? I highly recommend adding this slow cooker beef tips and gravy to your weekly line up!

How to Make Shepherd's Pie in the Crock Pot

Making this recipe only takes a few minutes of prep and a few hours in the slow cooker. It's an easy recipe perfect for weeknight meals or bringing to large gatherings, and you'll be done in no time.

Cooked ground beef and onions in a skillet.

Step 1: Cook the beef. Cook the beef and onions until the beef browns and the onions are soft.

Spices and veggies on cooked ground beef for the shepherds pie filling in the slow cooker.

Set up the crock pot: Add the beef, vegetables, and seasonings to the crock pot.

Beef broth, Worcestershire sauce and cornstarch whisked together in a measuring cup.

Add the sauce: Mix the broth, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch together, and then pour it into the crock pot.

Cooke shepherds pie filling in a crock pot after cooking.

Cook: Cook the mixture on low until the flavors meld and the ingredients are fully cooked.

Cook the potatoes: A bit before the cooking time is complete, boil the potatoes and mash them with sour cream and butter.

Mashed potatoes and cheese on top of the meat filling to make crock pot shepherd's pie.

Top the shepherd's pie: Spread the mashed potatoes over the beef mixture in an even layer, top with cheese, and continue cooking until the cheese melts.

Hint: Cooking the Beef

DO NOT overcook your ground beef. It's perfectly done when it's no longer pink. Cooking it any longer than that may dry it out and make it rubbery.

Storage

Store: Refrigerate your shepherd's pie once it cools in an airtight container for up to four days. You can also freeze it for up to three months.

To save it with the mashed potatoes on top, allow the dish to fully cool first. Then once it's cool, you can use a spatula to separate it into sections and lift it out a section at a time. It won't be perfect but will still taste great and will keep it mostly layered.

Reheat: Transfer the leftovers to a dish and cover it with foil or a lid. Bake the dish at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave. If it's frozen, be sure to thaw it out overnight in the fridge before reheating.

What to Serve with Shepherd's Pie

This dish combines the meat, vegetables, and potatoes together in one dish! I love to add on a salad, some slow cooker focaccia, or a tasty dessert at the end of the meal.

If I'm craving more veggies, these green beans with bacon or corn on the cob make a tasty side dish.

For dessert, my homemade apple cobbler, slow cooker fried apples, or chocolate peanut clusters make a sweet finish to the meal.

Recipe Tips

Cut Potatoes Into Small Even Cubes. A smaller size will faster and mash more easily than larger chunks and you want the cut into similar sized pieces so they all cook in the same time.
Don't Defrost Your Vegetables. When using frozen veggies, it works best to add the directly to the slow cooker frozen. This way they don't overcook over the course of the hours they'll spend in the slow cooker.

Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

What is shepherd's pie?

Shepherd's pie, also called cottage pie, is a savory, rustic dish made with ground or minced meat and vegetables mixed with a gravy or sauce and topped with mashed potatoes. It's traditionally baked in the oven but I love making it in the crock pot to save time.

Should you drain ground beef before adding it to a recipe?

Yes, most definitely. You should always drain ground beef after browning it. Even lean ground beef will release some fat as it cooks. Draining the beef keeps the dish from being greasy.

Slow cooker shepherds pie on a plate with the slow cooker and parsley in the background..

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