Crock pot shepherd pie makes the classic shepherd pie recipe even easier, thanks to the crock pot. Loaded with ground beef, vegetables, and classic seasonings and topped with mashed potatoes, it's an easy weeknight feast the whole family will enjoy.
The only thing better than delicious beef recipes are easy beef recipes. I love making beef recipes of all kinds, but this shepherd pie really shines for me because it's hearty and so easy to work into a busy day. All that beef and the mashed potatoes make a great family dinner that takes little effort. Combined with yummy sides like Brussel sprouts, scalloped potatoes, or a side of corned beef.
This classic dish starts with ground beef and onions cooked to perfection. Then, they're mixed with the rest of the ingredients and cooked for hours until the flavors meld to seamless deliciousness. Finally, it's topped with mashed potatoes, cooked a bit more to get everything toasty and hot, and served to a hungry crowd.
Why You'll Love This Crock Pot Shepherd Pie Recipe
This easy shepherd pie recipe is a crock pot dish that requires only a little prep. Then, all you have to do is wait. It's a delicious recipe with a lot going for it.
- Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses basic ingredients to create its deep flavor. You won't have to shop for anything fancy or exotic.
- Convenient: You'll only need to cook the ground beef for a few minutes, and then the crock pot does all the work.
- Versatile: You can add your favorite vegetables to this recipe to make it your own. It's also perfect for dinners or large gatherings.
- Kid-Friendly: Meat and potatoes are a classic combination that even picky eaters love.
Ingredients
This classic recipe combines beef, vegetables, potatoes, and a few other basic ingredients to create a rustic meal. All the ingredients are listed here, but check the recipe card at the end of the post for their exact amounts.
- Ground Beef: The protein source for this dish, ground beef is the classic meat for shepherd 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.
- Frozen Mixed Peas and Carrots: Peas and carrots are classic vegetable additions to shepherd pie. Using frozen veggies makes prep and cooking much easier.
- Tomato Paste, Beef Broth, and Worcestershire Sauce: The combination of these ingredients creates a hearty broth with deep flavor.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps thicken the juice, turning into a gravy-like sauce.
- Potatoes, Sour Cream, and Butter: Butter and sour cream add richness, flavor, and an extra creamy texture to the mashed potatoes.
- Cheddar Cheese: Cheese adds a ton of flavor to finish off the dish.
Flavor Variations and Substitutions
- Spicy - Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapenos for a kick of heat.
- Meat - Use ground beef, pork, or turkey for this recipe. For an authentic cottage pie use ground lamb.
- Veggies - Use your favorite vegetables in this recipe.
If you love easy, rustic beef dishes like this one, then be sure to try my slow cooker beef tips and gravy.
How to Make This Shepherd Pie Recipe
Making this recipe only takes a few minutes of prep and a few hours in the crock pot. It's an easy recipe perfect for weeknight meals or bringing to large gatherings, and you'll be done in no time.
The recipe overview below gives you a good idea of how easy it is to make this shepherd pie recipe, but be sure to check the recipe card at the end of the post for the exact instructions.
Cook the Beef: Cook the beef and onions until the beef is browned and the onions are soft.
Mix the Beef and Vegetables: Add the beef, vegetables, and seasonings to the crock pot.
Add the Sauce: Mix the broth, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch, then pour it into the crock pot.
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.
Top the Shepherd Pie: Spread the mashed potatoes over the beef mixture in an even layer, top with cheese, and continue cooking until the cheese melts.
Hint
DO NOT overcook your ground beef. It's perfectly done when it's no longer pink. Cooking it any longer than that will make it rubbery.
Storage
Refrigerate your shepherd pie as soon as possible to keep it fresh and delicious for as long as possible. You can freeze it, as well.
To reheat the dish, place it in a covered dish and bake it at 350 degrees until heated through.
Refrigerator: Store the shepherd pie in an air-tight container for up to four days.
Freezer: Store for up to three months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container.
What To Serve With Crock Pot Shepherd Pie
This easy crock pot shepherd pie recipe is a hearty, rustic dish on its own. Serve it with some delicious desserts to create a filling meal with a sweet finish.
Tips
- Cook your ground beef until it's no longer pink and no further. Overcooked ground beef is rubbery, dry, and devoid of flavor.
- Cube your potatoes into relatively small chunks. They'll cook faster and mash more easily than larger chunks.
- Don't defrost your vegetables before adding them to the crock pot. Cooking them from frozen ensures they don't overcook over the course of the hours they'll spend in the crock pot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shepherd 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.
Shepherd pie will last for up to 4 days in an air-tight container when stored in the refrigerator.
Both the meat filling and the mashed potatoes on top are freezer-friendly, and this dish will last for up to three months in the freezer when stored properly.
Ground beef is done with the meat is no longer pink. Don't make the mistake of overcooking the beef or it will become rubbery and tasteless.
You should always drain ground beef before adding it to even recipe. Even lean ground beef will release some fat as it cooks. Draining the beef keeps the dish from being greasy.
More Beef Recipes
If you love easy, delicious beef recipes, then try these other simple, hearty dishes.
- Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Crock Pot 3 Packet Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Tri Tip Roast
- Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
- Slow Cooker Steak, Potatoes, and Corn
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Crock Pot Shepherd Pie
Ingredients
Shepherds Pie Filling
- 2 lbs Ground beef
- 1 cup yellow onion diced
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1½ cups frozen mixed peas & carrots
- ¾ cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Potato Topping
- 5 russet potatoes
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onions. Cook until beef is browned and onions are soft. Drain off excess grease well.
- Add ground beef, onions, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, salt, tomato paste, garlic, peas, and carrots to the slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch. Whisk until well combined. Pour into the slow cooker and mix everything together.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Forty-five minutes before cook time is up. Add potatoes to a large pot of boiling water. Cook the potatoes until fork tender. Drain off the water and add sour cream and butter. Mash until there are no lumps.
- Spread evenly over the shepherd's pie filling and top with cheddar cheese. Continue to cook until the cheese is melted—about 15 minutes.
Notes
- Cook your ground beef until it's no longer pink and no further. Overcooked ground beef is rubbery, dry, and devoid of flavor.
- Cube your potatoes into relatively small chunks. They'll cook faster and mash more easily than larger chunks.
- Don't defrost your vegetables before adding them to the crock pot. Cooking them from frozen ensures they don't overcook over the course of the hours they'll spend in the crock pot.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
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