Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie
Let’s take a classic recipe and make it even better! This Crockpot Shepherds Pie is an easy way to enjoy hearty ground beef and tender veggies topped with cheesy mashed potatoes.
Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
This is one of my favorite meals of all time. It has everything you could ask for: ground beef, vegetables, a rich gravy, and buttery mashed potatoes. Best part is that the slow cooker does all the work!
Well, you do have to brown the ground beef first but I like to brown a few batches at one time and portion them into 1 pound packages.
Then I can just pull one out and toss it in the crockpot. This is classic comfort food made even better with slow cooking. Check out my skillet shepherd’s pie too!
What’s the difference between shepherd’s pie and cottage pie?
Some use the terms cottage pie and interchangeably but there is a slight difference. Shepherd’s pie is made with lamb because shepherds tend to sheep.
A cottage pie is the same recipe but made with ground beef. You will notice this difference more outside of America but here the terms pretty much mean the same thing.
More slow cooker recipes:
- Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Crack Potato Soup
- Mississippi Chicken
- Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes
- Crock Pot Beefy Potato Taco Casserole
Ingredients Needed
Ground beef – Lean ground beef, substitute ground turkey or ground lamb.
Onion – Sweet or white onion.
Vegetables – I prefer frozen mixed vegetables or use your favorite combination.
Spices – Garlic powder, thyme, salt, black pepper.
Mix packets – Beefy onion soup mix, brown gravy mix.
Mashed potatoes – Homemade works or use store bought for easy prep.
Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese.
Pantry staples – Olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, unsalted butter.
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How to Make Crock Pot Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
First: In a large skillet, over medium heat, brown the ground beef and onion over medium-high heat. Stir in the garlic powder, thyme, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
Second: Spray a crockpot bowl with nonstick spray. Place mixture in the bottom of the crockpot. Sprinkle in the soup mix, gravy mix, and pour in the broth, and mixed veggies. Stir to combine.
Third: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours hours. An hour before serving, remove the lid and spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the meat mixture. Drizzle with melted butter. Sprinkle it with shredded cheese.
Fourth: Cover and cook on low for another hour. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve.
How long does it last?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-6 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals until headed through.
Shepherd’s Pie Variations
- Try mashed sweet potatoes or mashed cauliflower.
- Top with biscuits or tater tots.
- Use ground chicken, ground turkey, ground lamb.
Do I have to cook the ground beef beforehand?
Technically you can cook raw ground beef in the crockpot with the broth but I find it easier to brown it in a skillet beforehand.
The browning adds more flavor and texture to this crockpot shepherd’s pie!
Tips for No Leftovers
- Brown large batches of ground beef and onions and store in one pound packages for easier meal prep.
- Homemade mashed potatoes are best but instant potatoes or store bought work just as well and save lots of time!
- Substitute 1 tablespoon onion powder for the actual onion in the recipe.
- Leave out the brown gravy mix and substitute 3 tablespoon tomato paste or a can of cream of mushroom soup.
- Don’t want ground beef? I like to substitute a chuck roast!
- Mashed cauliflower is amazing for keeping it low carb!
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!
This slow cooker shepherd’s pie recipe is great for a busy weeknight and is a meal the whole family will love. Hearty meat and veggies with a cheesy potato topping. YUMMY!
Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 packet 1.9 oz Beefy onion soup mix
- 1 1 oz packet brown gravy mix
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 4 cups mashed potatoes prepared
- 2 tablespoons of melted butter
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Spray a crockpot bowl with nonstick spray.
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, brown the ground beef and onion in the olive oil.
- Stir in the garlic powder, thyme, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Place mixture in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Sprinkle in the soup mix, gravy mix, and pour in the broth, and mixed veggies.
- Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
- An hour before serving, remove the lid and spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the meat mixture. Drizzle with melted butter.
- Sprinkle it with shredded cheese.
- Cover and cook on low for another hour.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Brown large batches of ground beef and onions and store in one pound packages for easier meal prep.
- Homemade mashed potatoes are best but instant potatoes or store bought work just as well and save lots of time!
- Substitute 1 tablespoon onion powder for the actual onion in the recipe.
- Leave out the brown gravy mix and substitute 3 tablespoon tomato paste or a can of cream of mushroom soup.
- Don't want ground beef? I like to substitute a chuck roast!
- Mashed cauliflower is amazing for keeping it low carb!
Nutrition
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