Shepherd’s Pie (Whole30)

Shepherd’s pie is a meat pie made with ground meat cooked in a sauce then topped with potatoes and baked until golden brown. It is wholesome and hearty and you can load it up with veggies that picky eaters won’t know are there.

Recipe for Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is a hearty, savory blend of succulent ground meat, tender vegetables, and aromatic herbs, all enveloped in a luscious, velvety blanket of creamy mashed potatoes. Each forkful is delicious mesh of flavors and textures. This classic dish has a rustic charm that makes it the ultimate comfort meal.

Why You’ll Love This Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

• Family Friendly: This is a dish where you can hide tons of veggies. Every time I made it I like to add lots of chopped veggies to the ground meat. Here I added onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and parsley. Feel free to sneak any kind of veggies in there if you have picky eaters.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: It is perfect for meal prepping. Make a large pan for meals throughout the week. I love a dish that is easy to pull together and can span two or three meals.
• Great Comfort Food: Indulge in something hot, hearty, and delicious. Dairy-free, creamy mashed potatoes and a savory meat mixture are the main components for this shareable dish.

What is Shepherd’s Pie?

Shepherd’s Pie is a classic British dish with rich and savory meat filling. Although it is traditionally made with ground lamb or mutton, it’s also common to use ground beef. The meat filling is typically cooked with vegetables and seasonings, then topped with a layer of mashed potatoes before being baked to perfection. The result is a hearty and comforting all-in-one dish that’s perfect for colder weather.

Ingredients for Shepherd’s Pie

The two main components of this recipe are the mashed potato topping and the meat filling.

For the Mashed Potato Topping:

• Potatoes: Most Shepherd’s pie recipes are topped with white potatoes. I love mixing up the type of potatoes I use. In this recipe I am using a combination of white (russet) potatoes and golden or white sweet potatoes. The combination of the sweetness from the sweet potatoes and the fluffiness from the russet potatoes makes a really delicious topping for the pie.
• Water: to boil the potatoes
• Seasoning: granulated garlic, onion powder, iodized sea salt
• Mayo: In classic Shepherd’s pie recipes, butter, cream and even cheese is added to the creamed potato topping. When I am on a round of Whole30 I just add Whole30 compliant mayo to my potatoes and that does the trick.

For the Filling:

• Ground beef:
• The New Primal’s Classic Marinade and Cooking Sauce or The New Primal’s Coconut Aminos: Some recipes use beef broth but I prefer either of these Whole30 sauces.
• Tomatoes: diced
• Garlic cloves: minced
• Yellow onion: diced
• Mushrooms: diced
• Frozen peas and carrots:
• Parsley: fresh finely chopped or dried flakes
• Seasoning: salt and paprika
• Cooking spray: Use this or another oil/grease for the baking dish

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Shepherd’s Pie

Prepare the Potato Topping

Add russet and sweet potatoes to a large stock pot on high heat. Then add enough water to cover the potatoes followed by 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring the potatoes to a boil, then cover them (with the lid slightly ajar).

Boil until fork tender, then remove from the heat and drain the water. Next, return the potatoes to the pot then crush them with a potato masher or fork. Then add the seasonings and set the mashed potatoes aside.

Cooking the ground beef and veggies

Add the ground beef to a hot skillet on medium heat (no oil is needed for this step). Stir often to ensure even cooking and cook until all the pink color is gone from the meat. Add salt and your preferred vegetables. For this shepherd pie’s recipe, I added onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and parsley.

And of course, I add a good amount of peas (peas are now allowed in whole 30) and carrots. My two older kids love peas and carrots. I swear I would add it to every dish I make if I could, just so that they are eating vegetables.

Assembling the Shepherd’s Pie

The order of cooking is important for this dish. Add potatoes first, then the meat. I do it this way because I often make the pie right in the cast iron skillet that I am using to cook the meat. When the meat mixture is ready, I top it with the creamed potatoes and stick it in the oven. This is what I love most about using an oven-safe skillet!

You can dress up the top of your pie with lines using a fork, scallops using the back of a spoon, make it smooth using a spatula, or leave it rustic. Anything goes! I love that about this dish.

Baking the Shepherd’s Pie

Before adding the pie to the oven I give it a generous dusting of paprika. Here I am using Penzey’s Spanish Style Paprika. It’s a little on the pricey side of the spice aisle but it is so worth it. The richness and depth of flavor is unlike any other paprika I’ve used.

In addition to a lovely flavor, the paprika adds a golden color to the finished dish. Look at how absolutely gorgeous this pie looks. Yum.

This dish is a winner in my home. The kids really love it. Even our one year old eats it up. I can eat this at any meal. A complete meal in one dish? Yes, please! And if you’re looking for another hearty, baked dish, try my Whole30 Fish Pie next.

Storage

Once the dish has cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze shepherd’s pie for up to 3 months. Reheat it in the microwave or in the oven.

Tips for the Best Shepherd’s Pie

• Season generously. Season the meat filling with a variety of fresh herbs and spices for maximum flavor.
• Properly cook the veggies. Sauté the onions, carrots, and other vegetables until they’re tender, but not mushy. This preserves the texture and flavor.
• Use an oven-safe baking dish, such as a casserole dish or a cast-iron skillet.
• Allow the pie to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. This helps the filling set and makes it easier to serve.

Recipe Variations

• Mayo Substitute: You can also add nut milks, ghee and even coconut milk or cream to yours if you like.
• Meats: Instead of ground beef, you can use ground lamb or ground turkey.
• Cheese: If you don’t need a Whole30 meal, feel free to add cheddar cheese to the meat mixture, the topping, or both.
• Cauliflower Topping: For a more nutritious, low-carb meal, use cauliflower instead of potatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions