This Skillet Shepherd’s Pie can be made with a shortcut for a simple and satisfying weeknight meal that bridges winter comfort food with spring vegetables.
Skillet Shepherd’s Pie is a seriously comforting meal. Ground beef and gravy are topped with hearty mashed potatoes and baked in the oven. But the addition of bright green sweet peas make me think of this as a springtime meal. A splash of Guinness Beer can even be added to the gravy if you desire for a dish served around the time of St. Patrick’s Day.
I make my Shepherd’s Pie in a skillet so that I can cook the beef and vegetables on the stove top and then transfer the same dish to the oven for baking. When I am in a hurry I find no shame in taking help from the store in the form of pre-made mashed potatoes. However when I have a little more time to cook I make the mashed potato topping from scratch – which I am sharing below as part of the recipe.
Besides comfort food and Spring, this Skillet Shepherd’s Pie also makes me think of Harry Potter. I think my son would love this meal whether he was a Harry Potter fanatic or not. But he is and so when I make it he gets extra happy about his dinner that night as he remembers all his favorite characters from the books. We’ve watched the movies too but the books are how we all started with Harry Potter.
Tips for making Skillet Shepherd’s Pie:
- For the gravy you can use all beef broth or consommé if you want to leave out the red wine – or you can replace the red wine with an equal amount of Guinness beer
- I used a skillet like this one to make Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
- Allow the pie to “set up” for about 10 minutes after baking and before serving
- Add the peas on top of the beef mixture right before topping with the mashed potatoes – this will keep the peas from getting too mushy
- Serve this Shepherd’s Pie with crusty bread and a Caesar salad for a complete meal
Foodtastic Mom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Any highlighted, clickable Amazon link you see is an affiliate link that I may earn advertising fees on.
Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of Foodtastic Mom. Be sure to PIN and print this recipe!
Skillet Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter divided
- 1/4 cup fat free whipping cream
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 sweet onion finely chopped
- 2 large carrots finely chopped
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb ground sirloin 90% lean
- 1/2 cup red wine use an equal amount of beef broth or beef consommé or Guinness to replace the wine if desired
- 1/2 cup beef consommé or beef broth
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 cup sweet peas frozen
Instructions
- Cover the potatoes with cold water and bring to a low boil. Cook the potatoes until easily pierced with a fork. Drain the potatoes.
- Add 6 tablespoons of butter, fat free half and half, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and the half teaspoon of salt to the potatoes. Mash until smooth. Set aside. Alternately you can use leftover mashed potatoes or purchased mashed potatoes from the store. If you would like your mashed potato topping to be more firm, stir one egg yolk into the potatoes before topping the Shepherd's Pie and baking.
- In an oven safe skillet add the remaining two tablespoons of butter and melt over medium heat. Add the onions and carrots and cook until starting to soften, about 7 or 8 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, flour and all the seasonings (salt, oregano, thyme and pepper). Stir until combined.
- Add the ground sirloin and cook until no pink remains in the meat. Stir in the red wine and allow to simmer for a couple of minutes to allow the alcohol to cook off.
- Add the beef consommé (or broth) and simmer again for a couple of minutes.
- Remove the beef and gravy mixture from heat. Stir in the parsley and top with the peas.
- Top the meat mixture with the prepared mashed potatoes.
- Bake the Skillet Shepherd's Pie in a 400 degree F oven for 20 - 25 minutes, or until potatoes are starting to brown.
- Allow the Shepherd's Pie to rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Susie says
This looks amazing! I have never put cream cheese in my potatoes, but it sounds delish! I will definitely be making this recipe
foodtasticmom says
The cream cheese helps with flavor and texture. Let us know what you think if you make it! 🙂
Sarah says
Shepherd’s Pie is one of my favorite meals to make on a cold day, and with all of the snow we’ve been getting in New England, I just can’t believe I haven’t made some! Good thing there’s another snowstorm on its way {ugh!} because I’ll have another snowy day to make this recipe! XO
foodtasticmom says
Ugh, so sorry you are still living with snow. I bet you are ready to be over it. Hope you try the Shepherd’s Pie!
Lisa Huff says
My daughter is obsessed with shepherd’s pie! Love that that is made in a skillet! Perfect!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much! Maybe she should meet my son, he is pretty much obsessed with it too, LOL
Sara says
This looks really yummy! I have never made shepards pie but that needs to change soon!
foodtasticmom says
Yes you do!
Hope says
This looks like perfect comfort food! Very hearty and tasty 🙂 I have never made Shepard’s Pie in a skillet before but it is a great idea – one less dish to wash!
foodtasticmom says
And I am all about less dishes! Thanks for the rating and comment 🙂
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
This looks like the PERFECT Shepherds Pie! I’m drooling!
foodtasticmom says
Yay, mission accomplished!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
A terrific idea to make the vegetables in the same skillet and just build the shepherd’s pie on that! This is total comfort food for me – and just what we need for this next cold snap that’s on the way!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Lisa!
Valentina says
It’s for recipes like this on that I adore my cast iron skillet. Somehow, just the word “skillet” in your recipe title, makes this sound delicious. I love any sort of Shepherds pie, but this one sounds especially good.
foodtasticmom says
So true. Thank you Valentina!
Caroline says
Looks so comforting and tasty – perfect for the cold weather!
foodtasticmom says
Most definitely.
Cristie | Little Big H says
I love that it is made in a skillet and it looks fantastic. Anything that saves the washing up is a bonus.
foodtasticmom says
I agree!
Cindy Gordon says
I love how easy and simple this skillet shepherds pie was! My mom was in love!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Cindy!
Pam says
I’ve been using your recipe for years, and as I set out things to make it on this official “Snow Day”, I was inspired to let you know. It’s amazing! Loved by the whole gang (which is a rarity!)! Thank you for doing what you do!
foodtasticmom says
So awesome to hear this Pam! Thanks for taking the time to rate and comment!