Can I prepare this ahead of time and turn on the slow cooker later?

Absolutely! Assemble everything except the mashed potatoes and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, spread on the mashed potatoes, set the slow cooker, and you’re good to go.

What’s the best meat to use for Shepherd’s Pie?

Traditionally, it’s made with lamb, but ground beef, turkey, or even chicken work wonderfully! Use what your family loves or whatever you have on hand.

Can I use instant mashed potatoes?

Definitely. While homemade potatoes have unbeatable texture, instant mash works perfectly in a pinch – especially on a tight schedule.

How do I keep the mashed potato topping from sinking into the filling?

Try to let the filling cool just slightly before spreading the potatoes, and use gentle dollops rather than spreading too forcefully. It helps to have thicker potatoes too, so don’t make them too runny.

Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Description

This Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie is a hearty and comforting main-course featuring savory ground meat and colorful vegetables simmered to perfection, then topped with creamy mashed potatoes and melted cheddar cheese. Easy to prepare and ideal for busy weeknights, this dish is a family-friendly recipe packed with flavor and convenience.

Ingredients

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For the Meat and Vegetable Filling

1 1/2 lbs. ground meat (beef, lamb, or turkey)
1 medium white onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, sliced
2 cups frozen peas and corn (mixed)
3 tbsp. tomato paste
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. mustard seed
2 tsp. beef base
1 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

For the Topping

6 cups mashed potatoes
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

Brown the Meat and Sauté Onions: In a medium frying pan over medium heat, sauté the diced onion and ground meat. Cook until the meat is browned and the onions are tender, breaking up the meat as it cooks to ensure even browning.
Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the sautéed onion and meat mixture to the slow cooker. Add minced garlic, sliced carrots, frozen peas and corn, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, cornstarch, mustard seed, beef base, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients for maximum flavor.
Add the Mashed Potatoes: Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top of the meat and vegetable mixture in the slow cooker. Smooth the mashed potatoes with a spatula for an even layer.
Cook in Slow Cooker: Cover and cook the shepherd’s pie on HIGH for 4-5 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the dish to heat through completely.
Top with Cheese and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the hot mashed potatoes. Let it melt for a few minutes, then serve the shepherd’s pie warm.

Notes

You can use ground beef, turkey, or lamb according to your preference.
For a lighter version, use low-fat cheese and mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes.
Vegetarian ground meat can be substituted for a meatless option.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 410
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 75mg