This slow cooker shepherd’s pie is a must-try, hands-off, cozy comfort food dinner. It’s packed with meat, mixed vegetables, and a rich gravy, all tucked under a thick layer of mashed potatoes.
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Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Why Make It: This is a true all-in-one meal that is great for busy days, chilly nights, and leftovers.
- Recommended Tools: A large skillet, whisk, 4 to 6-quart slow cooker, and a spoon or spatula.
- Technique: Let it rest before serving. It gives the sauce time to thicken into a rich gravy and helps it scoop neatly.
- Time-Saving Tip: Using prepared mashed potatoes and frozen vegetables keeps prep quick and easy.
Must-Have Ingredients
- Meat: For a traditional shepherd’s pie, lamb is used, while beef is considered a cottage pie. Choose lean cuts and drain the fat, so the filling is rich, not greasy.
- Vegetables: Add vegetables without defrosting. For a classic and colorful dish, use a mix of peas, corn, green beans, and carrots.
- Sauce: Beef broth whisked with brown gravy mix, Worcestershire, tomato paste, garlic powder, thyme, and cornstarch makes a rich, savory gravy that thickens as it cooks.
- Mashed Potatoes: Use thick, prepared mashed potatoes, so they hold their shape on top, and warm them slightly for easy spreading.
Variations
- Potato Topping: Swap mashed potatoes for sweet potato mash, mix in shredded cheddar for a cheesy topping, or use a thick cauliflower mash for a lighter option.
- Add-ins: For an extra savory flavor, stir in mushrooms with the browned meat before layering.
Easy Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie Steps
- In a skillet, brown the ground meat mixture and add it to the slow cooker.
- Top with vegetables, and pour the prepared sauce mixture over the vegetables.
- Spread the mashed potatoes evenly on top (full recipe below) and cook.
Before serving, let it rest so it thickens before scooping.
Leftovers You’ll Love
- Let leftovers cool, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. I love to freeze in individual portions for fast reheats.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F until hot. Keep it covered so it doesn’t dry out, then uncover at the end to dry the top slightly for easier scooping.
- To make ahead, assemble layers the night before, refrigerate, then cook the next day.
Comfort Food Dinners
Did you enjoy this Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds lean ground lamb or beef
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 4 to 6 cups prepared mashed potatoes see notes
For the Sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Brown the ground lamb or beef and onion in a large skillet on medium-high heat until no pink remains. Drain any fat, season with salt and pepper, and transfer to the bottom of a 4 or 6-quart slow cooker.
- Place the frozen vegetables on top.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the broth, gravy mix, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, cornstarch, garlic powder, and thyme. Pour over the vegetables and stir well to combine.
- Spoon the mashed potatoes over top and spread into an even layer. Do not stir.
- Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
- Uncover and rest 15 to 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Make sure your potatoes are not runny before adding them to the slow cooker. For browned edges, place a double layer of paper towels over the slow cooker so it isn’t touching the potatoes, and place the lid on top. This will absorb excess moisture.
Optional: While the shepherds pie is resting, brush the top of the mashed potatoes with melted butter, if desired.
Shortcut Sauce
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 2/3 cup water
Nutrition Information
Calories: 529 | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 1225mg | Potassium: 821mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4721IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner, Main Course, Slow Cooker
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This was so good! Quite the comfort food and my kids loved it too.
Hi Amy, I am glad to hear that you and your kids enjoyed the recipe.
If it’s a shepherd pie why give the ingredients as either beef or lamb?.
Simply state what it is, your main heading says shepherds pie then you say you can use beef, that’s NOT a shepherds pie.
Misleading click bait yet again.
Hi Mr Man, many many people like to make Shepherd’s Pie with beef, even though it is traditionally made with lamb which is why I give the option.
Clickbait is leading with misinformation, and since this recipe does in fact say how to make it with lamb, which is giving the information in the title of the post, it is not misinformation and therefore not clickbait.
I hope this helps clear things up!
made à mistake.forgot to put the gray so i had to mix the whole thing.still came out delicious!
I’m making this recipe right now (it’s been cooking on low for about three hours), but it’s occurred to me that with the exception of the frozen vegetables and beef broth mixture, everything else was already cooked when I put it in the slow cooker and, in fact, still quite warm. So, why does it need to cook 7 – 8 hours on low before it can be eaten?
Great question, Stevie. It doesn’t need 7–8 hours since most of the ingredients are already cooked, but the extra time helps the thick layers heat evenly (the mashed potatoes insulate a lot), lets the frozen veggies fully thaw and tenderize, and gives the sauce time to thicken and set.
Thanks for the explanation; I appreciate it. I was getting hungry, so after about five hours, I decided that was enough and dove in. Even though I used your paper towel hack, the potatoes were still a bit runnier than I like, but the flavour was great, so tasty. Five stars from me!
HEY GUYS HAS ANYONE MENTIONED WITHOUT READING THE RECIPE THAT SHEPHERDS PIE USES LAMB ASKING FOR A FRIEND
I really do hate leaving negative reviews but unfortunately this recipe was a huge let down. In no way did my attempt resemble the photos or match other positive reviews.
I followed it EXACTLY accept I stopped the cooking I hr early as the potatoes sunk into the ingredients which made it all look like a sloppy murky mess, thoughts on why this happened?
I’m sorry to hear this KM. I’m not exactly sure why this would have happened. How did you prepare your mashed potatoes? I wonder if they were pre-made (as opposed to homemade) they sometimes have more butter/milk/liquid ingredients that could have caused this.
A way to help prevent this is to place paper towels across the top of your slow cooker and then put the lid across the top. This helps absorb some of the moisture.
thank you!!
I can’t wait for you to try this recipe Patricia! Happy Cooking!
Gm holly, I will love to try this recipe, but I don’t own a slow cooker, what do you suggest I can use instead?
I recommend using this traditional Shepherd’s Pie recipe Ann. Enjoy!
I haven’t made this yet but am wondering if you can use real mashed potatoes instead of a package?
Absolutely! This recipe calls for 4 to 6 cups of mashed potatoes. When it says “prepared” it just means mashed potatoes cooked and finished all the way through. I hope this helps!
Shepherd’s Pie can only be made with lamb. Use beef and it’s Cottage Pie.
Hi John, this is correct and the information can be found in the post: For a traditional shepherd’s pie, lamb is used, while beef is considered a cottage pie.
i will try the shepherd pie
Isn’t is everyone’s choice? Really? Who cares. It’s a great recipe.
Cottage Pie please. Lamb for Shepards Pie
Hi Clifford, to make cottage pie you can follow the same recipe and use ground beef. Enjoy!
While this looks amazing recipe. it is definitely NOT a shepherds pie, its a cottage pie.
Shepherds pie has ground lambs mince, cottage pie is beef.
Not a criticism, just an observation
Hi John, this is correct and the information can be found in the post: For a traditional shepherd’s pie, lamb is used, while beef is considered a cottage pie.
omg john! cottage, Shepherd?! ive made this Shepherd pie with hamburger , and it’s wonderful, it’s is one of our favorites easy to make… too….. thank you
OMG just like what my mom use to make . so good brings back memories
I’m so glad you loved it Gail, the recipes that remind us of Mom are always the best ones!
Such a simple recipe with amazing results. Delicious results that I will make again and again! Perfect for bring a dish functions! So simple to make such a delicious dish everyone will love to eat 😋.
I’m so glad you loved it Judy!
This is NOT Shepherds Pie. Shepherds Pie uses lamb not beef. This is Cottage pie. I l-ove your recipes Holly.
Jan -a Canadian expat living in the UK
So glad you’ve loved the recipes Jan! The first ingredient is ½ pounds lean ground lamb or beef. While lamb is traditional, it’s not as easily accessible for many so ground beef is a great alternative. You can also find this info in the post!
Hi Holley love your recipes. how big weight is a packet of gravy mix. Marilyn Perth Australia
Hi Marilyn, So happy to hear that you are loving the recipes! One packet is approximately 25 grams. Enjoy!
can you use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?
Sure you can! I’d recommend sauteeing them in a little bit of olive oil to soften slightly.
Hey Holly, I don’t own a slow cooker, can you suggest another alternative please, will love to try this recipe
I would recommend this oven baked Shepherd’s Pie. Enjoy!