Description

This cozy Ground Beef Shepherd’s Pie Skillet delivers all the comfort of classic shepherd’s pie with a fraction of the effort. Savory ground beef and veggies simmer together under a blanket of creamy mashed potatoes and melty cheddar, all cooked in one pan on the stovetop. It’s a hearty, family-friendly dinner that comes together fast on a busy night.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn; fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper, to taste
4 cups mashed potatoes (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
1–2 teaspoons cooking oil (if needed, for sautéing)

Instructions

Place a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent.
Stir in the mixed vegetables, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well so the tomato paste coats the meat and vegetables.
Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and everything is heated through. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
Smooth the beef and vegetable mixture into an even layer in the skillet, then carefully spread the mashed potatoes over the top, covering the filling completely.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the mashed potatoes.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, the potatoes are hot, and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
Remove from heat, uncover, and let the skillet rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving straight from the pan.

Notes

If using leftover mashed potatoes, warm them slightly so they spread easily over the beef mixture without tearing up the filling.
Frozen mixed vegetables can go straight into the skillet without thawing; just cook a couple of extra minutes until heated through.
Season the mashed potatoes well with salt, pepper, and a little butter or cream so the top layer is as flavorful as the filling.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner, Skillet Meal
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of skillet
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 800 mg
Fat: 24 g
Saturated Fat: 11 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 23 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: ground beef shepherd’s pie skillet, easy shepherd’s pie, one-pan dinner, stovetop shepherd’s pie, ground beef and mashed potatoes