- What is Shepherd’s Pie? It’s a savory entrée made with a base of seasoned ground beef (or lamb), mixed vegetables, and covered with a cheesy mashed potato topping.
- The traditional shepherd’s pie recipe has been made even quicker, easier, and just as delicious in the air fryer so it’s on the table in minutes without heating up the stove or oven!
- Shepherd’s pie can be prepared fresh, but it’s also a great way to use up leftover meat, veggies, gravy, or mashed potatoes.
- Super versatile shepherd’s pie can be assembled up to one day in advance. Let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking in the air fryer.
Ingredients and Variations
Meat – Traditionally, shepherd’s pie is made with ground lamb, but any meat like leftover cooked turkey or chicken will make this a budget-friendly and delicious dinner! For vegetarians, simply switch out the meat altogether for tofu, seitan, or black beans.
Filling – Instead of brown gravy mix, use a can of cream of mushroom, celery, or chicken soup
Mashed Potatoes – This recipe is made uber-easy by using instant mashed potatoes, but leftover mashed potatoes or even a tub of store-bought will work great!
ingredients
mashed potato topping
- ▢2 cups prepared instant mashed potatoes or leftover mashed potatoes
- ▢¼ cup milk
- ▢3 tablespoons butter melted
- ▢½ cup cheddar cheese shredded, optional
filling
- ▢1 medium onion chopped
- ▢2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢1 pound ground beef or lamb
- ▢1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- ▢1 packet brown gravy mix 3 Tablespoons
- ▢2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ▢½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
instructions
mashed potato topping
- In a medium bowl add prepared mashed potatoes, milk, melted butter and cheddar cheese (if using). Stir until well combined. Set aside.
meat filling
- Combine beef or lamb, onion and garlic in a large skillet. Cook over medium high heat until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
- Add frozen vegetables, gravy mix, Worcestershire sauce, thyme leaves, and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, and simmer at medium-high heat for 7-9 minutes or until thickened.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Place the beef mixture in the bottom of an air fryer/heat safe pan. Top with the potato mixture.
- Place pan in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes or until heated through and the top is golden.
notes
Ensure your pan is heat safe before cooking in the air fryer. We use this round air fryer pan.
Before adding the shepherd’s pie to your pan, ensure the pan fits in the air fryer.
Fresh vegetables can be used in place of frozen. Ensure they are finely diced. They may need a few minutes of extra cooking time.
Traditional Shepard’s pie uses lamb, cottage pie uses beef.
TO MAKE MASHED POTATOES: Scrub 4 medium russet potatoes under running water and thoroughly dry. Poke potatoes with a fork and place in the air fryer. Bake the potatoes at 390°F for about 40-45 minutes or until tender. Remove the potatoes, scoop out the flesh (reserve the skins for potato skins if desired) and mash with a potato masher.
Keep leftover Shepherd’s Pie in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or the microwave.
