Shepherd’s pie has been a comfort meal of mine since I was a kid! With layers of ground beef, corn, mashed potatoes, and cheese, this super simple casserole just makes me happy and takes me back to my childhood.
So yes, I know the correct term for this dish is Cottage Pie. Traditionally, when made with ground beef it is Cottage Pie and when made with mutton it is Shepherd’s Pie. I grew up calling it Shepherd’s Pie though, and despite inconsistencies, the naming shall remain the same to me.
This is my number one comfort food dish. When I just need a taste of my childhood innocence, I find myself in the kitchen whipping up a delectably delicious Shepherd’s Pie.
How to Make Shepherd’s Pie
If you want to create this favorite of all favorite Irish comfort foods, all you need is a few key ingredients that can be easily picked up at your local grocery store.
- Ground Beef
- Instant Mashed Potatoes (Or make your own from scratch if you prefer)
- Canned Corn
- Worchestershire Sauce
- 1/2 Diced Onion
- Cheese
This is a super simple recipe. Packed with flavor and great leftover too!
Cottage Pie Step by Step Recipe
Get started by preheating your oven to 350°
First thing’s first, you are going to want to brown your ground beef. In a pan with your diced onion, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned. Once fully cooked, mix in 1-2 Tbsp of Worchestershire sauce. Remove from heat and place in a baking pan.
The next step is going to be to make your mashed potatoes. I honestly use instant mashed potatoes. You can definitely use homemade potatoes, but that just takes too much time for me personally. I don’t just use the instant mashed potatoes right from the bag though.
When I make instant mashed potatoes, I like to jazz them up a little bit. In order to make these instant powdered potatoes taste amazing, I add butter, some sour cream, and dry ranch seasoning to them! It may sound odd but it is SO delicious.
While you are making your mashed potatoes, you can co ahead and pour your drained canned corn on top of your cooked ground beef.
Layer on your mashed potatoes on top of the corn. Spread it on until it is a nice even layer!
Top generously with shredded cheese! Yes, load it up, I promise I will not judge you.
Now all you have to do it pop your pan into the oven. Cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is all melted and everything is hot throughout.
Let your shepherd’s pie cool down a bit after cooking and enjoy it!
Get the Printable Shepherd’s Pie Recipe Here

Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's pie, a classic comfort food with layers of ground beef, corn, mashed potatoes, and cheese!
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1/2 Onion Diced (optional)
- 1 can Corn Drained
- 1 package Instant Mashed Potatos
- 1-2 tbsp Worchestershire Sauce
- 1 cup Shredded Cheese
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°
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Brown ground beef along with the diced onion.
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Add in worchestershire sauce once the beef is fully cooked.
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Place the beef into a large baking pan.
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Make your instant mashed potatoes.
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While your potatoes cool, pour your drained corn on top of your ground beer.
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Spread the cooled potatoes over top of the corn into a nice smooth(ish) layer.
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Top with as much cheese as your heart desires.
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Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes.
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Let cool and enjoy!
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Your Shepherd’s Pie looks delicious, You have shared the recipe of Shepherd’s Pie with all required ingredients and instructions, which is complete guideline.
thank you
Oh how I love shepherd’s pie. I will definitely be adding this to our weekly recipes for dinner. Looks delicious.
The first time I had shepherd’s pie, I was 15 I think and I adored it! Love this recipe, I must try it!
My step mom used to make it all the time when I was little! If you make it, let me know how it turns out!
This sounds gorgeous! I could do with something like this right now!
Thank you for sharing.
I’ve never tried this before but it sure does look good! May have to try my hand at it one of these nights. Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us!
It is super good, and really easy to make as well.
The shepherds pie looks delicious and perfect comfort food.
Thank you! It is one of my favorite comfort foods.
I’ll be trying this for dinner one night! I have always liked shepherds pie. I love that this is easy!
Let me know how you end up liking this easy recipe. I think changing up the instant mashed really makes it taste better.
Wow looks tasty. I’ve never try it before but I’m pretty sure my husband would love it
Looks great!!
This looks delicious and I have always loved how easy shepherd’s pie is to customize if you’re working with a specific dietary requirement. For example, I’m a vegetarian and I could use a meat substitute or opt for a vegetable option instead of the ground beef (personally, I’d probably splurge a little for a good meat substitute – it may not be the healthiest choice, but it would be delicious and true to the recipe).
It is super easy to customize. I actually made a low carb version one time with mashed Cauliflower instead of potatoes.
This has always been one of our family favorites! I think I will make it tonight! Also, we used to get it in an irish pub that had a combination of ground beef and ground lamb. It was more than amazing.
I have actually never tried it with lamb, but we have a local pub that does it so I will need to go there when the world opens up again.
I love Shepards Pie. This is a good recipe. I use a little cream of mushroom soup in my ground beef, it makes it a little more hearty. Thanks for sharing.
That sounds delicious! I will have to try that next time!
I have always wanted to make a shepherds pie. This might be what I make for Easter
Such a comfort food…. 😋 Now i’m super hungry
My mouth was watering reading through this. Thank you for sharing!
You make it look so easy to make that. I am drooling right now. I want to take a bite!
I’ll be adding this to my list of meals I’m cooking during quarantine
We eat a lot o shepards pie in my house. We had an altered version of it the other night with tater tots instead of mashed potatoes.
That sounds So delicious! I will have to try that
Wow! Looks amazing. With Juneteenth & Easter coming up, i could definitely use this recipe
I must give this a try. Sounds delicious and quite easy to make.
I remember growing up with Grandma’s Shepherds Pie. She never put corn it it though. How interesting!
OMG I have to try this recipe! It looks so delicious!!😍
I have no idea how a shepherd’s pie is being done, now I know. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Oh wow great recipe and nice and easy too – my boys love stuff like this so will give it a go, thanks for sharing
Laura x
I’d been looking for something new to serve for a snack. This Shepherd’s pie recipe caught my attention as its ingredients are healthy and packed with nutrients. I would like to add some twists by adding some squash. Do you think it will still taste great? Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe! I look forward to more interesting snack ideas from this blog!
I think adding in squash shoulds delicious!