Skip to content

Top Navigation

MyRecipes MyRecipes
  • Course
  • Baking
  • Global
  • Healthy
  • Favorite Ingredients
  • Holidays and Occasions
  • Quick and Easy
  • Convenience Recipes
  • BBQ and Grilling
  • How To
  • Extra Crispy
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Account

  • Register
  • Recipe Box this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore MyRecipes

MyRecipes MyRecipes
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 55+ Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

      55+ Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

      Everybody understands the stuggle of getting dinner on the table after a long day. If you're looking for a simple recipe to simplify your weeknight, you've come to the right place--easy dinners are our specialty. For an easy supper that you can depend on, we picked out some of our tried-and-true favorites that have gotten us through even the busiest of days. Whether you're cooking for yourself or for a family, these easy dinners are sure to leave everyone satisfied and stress-free. Read More
    • The Brilliant Secret to Making Better Mashed Potatoes

      The Brilliant Secret to Making Better Mashed Potatoes

      Trust me, it’s so worth it. Read More
    • 65 Super Easy Finger Foods to Make for Any Party

      65 Super Easy Finger Foods to Make for Any Party

      From chips and dip to one-bite apps, finger foods are the perfect way to kick off a party. No forks or spoons required, just easy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can clean up in no time.  Read More
  • Course

    Course

    See All Course
    • Best Appetizer Recipes...Ever
    • Best Drink Recipes for Any Occasion
    • Salad Recipes
    • The Ultimate Guide to Sensational Sides
    • Soup and Stew Recipes
    • Easy Entertaining for Everyone
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Main Dishes and Entrées
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
  • Baking

    Baking

    See All Baking
    • Bread Recipes
    • Our Most-Loved Cake Recipes
    • Cookie Recipes
    • Pie Recipes
  • Global

    Global

    See All Global
    • Spanish Recipes
    • Thai Recipes
    • Vietnamese Recipes
    • Middle Eastern Recipes
    • Mexican Recipes
    • Malaysian Recipes
    • Korean Recipes
    • Japanese Recipes
    • Italian Recipes
    • Indian Recipes
    • Greek Recipes
    • French Recipes
    • Chinese Recipes
    • African Recipes
    • American Recipes
    • Cajun and Creole Recipes
    • Caribbean Recipes
    • South American Recipes
    • Southern Recipes
    • German Recipes
  • Healthy

    Healthy

    See All Healthy
    • Easy, Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfasts
    • Healthy Dinners
    • Healthy Desserts
    • Diabetic Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Diet and Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Low Carbohydrate Recipes
    • Low Cholesterol Recipes
    • Low Fat Recipes
    • Low Sodium Recipes
    • Low Calorie Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Favorite Ingredients

    Favorite Ingredients

    See All Favorite Ingredients
    • The Ultimate Guide to Chicken
    • Vegetable Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Cheese Recipes
    • Chocolate Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Shrimp Recipes
  • Holidays and Occasions

    Holidays and Occasions

    See All Holidays and Occasions
    • A Foodie's Guide to Halloween Recipes
    • The Ultimate Thanksgiving Guide
    • Hanukkah Recipes
    • Your Ultimate Christmas Recipe Guide
    • Our Most Festive New Year's Recipes
    • Best-Ever Super Bowl Sunday Recipes
    • Best Valentine's Day Recipes
    • Mardi Gras Recipes
    • The Ultimate Guide to Easter Recipes
    • Cinco de Mayo Recipes
    • Labor Day Recipes
    • The Ultimate Fourth of July Guide
    • Memorial Day Recipes
    • Touchdown-Worthy Tailgate Recipes
    • Wedding and Shower Recipes
  • Quick and Easy

    Quick and Easy

    See All Quick and Easy
    • 15-Minute Recipes for Busy Home Cooks
    • 5 Ingredients or Less
    • Dinner Tonight
    • No-Cook Recipes
    • 45-Minute Recipes
  • Convenience Recipes

    Convenience Recipes

    See All Convenience Recipes
    • Budget-Friendly Recipes
    • Our Top Make-Ahead Recipes
    • Our Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
  • BBQ and Grilling

    BBQ and Grilling

    See All BBQ and Grilling
    • Grilled Beef Recipes
    • Grilled Fish Recipes
    • Grilled Shrimp Recipes
    • Grilled Chicken Recipes
    • Grilled Pork Recipes
    • Grilled Vegetable Recipes
  • How To

    How To

    See All How To
    • 7 Ways With...
    • Videos
    • Ingredients and Tools
    • Kitchen Cleaning
  • Extra Crispy
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Account

  • Register
  • Recipe Box this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Course
  3. Main Dishes and Entrées
  4. 12 Twists on Shepherd's Pie

12 Twists on Shepherd's Pie

Updated March 16, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Lentil Shepherd's Pie
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Few things more comforting than meat, gravy, and vegetables slathered with a thick, creamy topping of mashed potatoes (or other starch). Although shepherd's pie is easy to make from basic pantry and freezer staples, it can be anything but boring. Try these takes on an old favorite for a quick and easy supper tonight.

Start Slideshow

1 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Upside-Down Shepherd's Pie

Upside-Down Shepherd's Pie image
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Upside-Down Shepherd's Pie Recipe

This super-speedy dish flips traditional shepherd's pie on its head — literally. Simply simmer cooked ground beef with root vegetables, herbs, and a gravy made from beef stock and flour. Microwave cubed potatoes until soft, then mash with milk and top with the beef mixture.

1 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Easy Tex-Mex Shepherd’s Pie

mr-Easy Tex-Mex Shepherd’s Pie Image
Credit: Jen Causey; Prop Styling: Kay Clark; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Easy Tex-Mex Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Shepherd's pie just got easier. This comfort dish takes advantage of a few shortcuts that don’t lesson the flavor or quality of the meal, like refrigerated mashed potatoes and pico de gallo, so you can get dinner on the table fast. Make sure to brown your meat nicely, since it builds flavor. Substitute cheddar cheese for pepper jack, if you prefer it. 

2 of 12

3 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Meatball Shepherd's Pie

Meatball Shepherd's Pie
Credit: James Carrier

Meatball Shepherd's Pie Recipe

This hearty pie calls for meatballs instead of the traditional browned ground beef, while cream cheese, Gruyère cheese, and dry sherry add richness and subtle flavor.

3 of 12

Advertisement

4 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Cauliflower Shepherd's Pie

mr - Cauliflower Shepherd's Pie Image
Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Blakeslee Giles; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Cauliflower Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Nobody would dare turn down a dish this savory or satisfying. The mixture of Yukon potatoes and cauliflower makes for a topping that’s almost velvety, while the combination of lamb and meat provides A-plus flavor and taste. Lamb tenderloin can be hard to find, but you can buy lamb chops or lamb rib chops and cut the meat off the bone—or, you could substitute more beef for the lamb and turn this into a cauliflower cottage pie.

4 of 12

5 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust

Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust
Credit: Greg Dupree; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust Recipe

This eye-catching variation on shepherd's pie calls for thinly sliced white and sweet potatoes instead of the traditional layer of mashed potatoes.

5 of 12

6 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Easy Shepherd's Pie

Easy Shepherd's Pie
Credit: Marcus Nilsson

Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe

There's no shame in shortcuts! Six ingredients are all you need for this streamlined shepherd's pie: ground beef, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, frozen veggies, shredded cheese, and prepared mashed potatoes.

6 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Moroccan Shepherd's Pie

Moroccan Shepherd's Pie
Credit: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Moroccan Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Sweet potatoes provide a nice foil for the full-flavored lamb, tangy olives, and earthy spices. You can also bake the entire mixture in an 8-inch square baking dish. Assemble up to a day ahead, cover, refrigerate, and bake just before serving.

7 of 12

8 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

One-Pan Portabella Mushroom Shepherd's Pie

One-Pan Portabella Mushroom Shepherd's Pie
Credit: Colin Price

One-Pan Portabella Mushroom Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Just because you're vegetarian doesn't mean missing out on all the shepherd's pie fun. This dish substitutes Portabella mushroom caps for the usual ground beef for a hearty, decadent, and delicious weeknight supper.

8 of 12

9 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Pumpkin Shepherd's Pie

Pumpkin Shepherd's Pie
Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto

Pumpkin Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Brilliant orange roasted pumpkin replaces the traditional mashed-potato topping here, giving new life to classic English pub grub.

9 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Keto Shepherd’s Pie

Keto Shepard’s Pie image
Credit: Time Inc. Video Studio

Keto Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Swapping in a cheesy cauliflower mash for carb-rich white potatoes makes this family favorite keto-friendly, while keeping it every bit as hearty and comforting as you want a shepherd’s pie to be. 

10 of 12

11 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Pastel de Choclo (Beef and Corn Shepherd's Pie)

Pastel de Choclo (Beef and Corn Shepherd's Pie)
Credit: Monica buck

Pastel de Choclo (Beef and Corn Shepherd's Pie) Recipe

Like a Chilean shepherd's pie, pastel de choclo tops spiced ground beef with a puréed corn crust. You can prepare the pies through step 5 up to 1 day ahead; cover and chill. It may take up to 10 minutes longer to bake the cold pies, and broiling may not be needed to brown tops. Use purchased refrigerated grilled chicken breast pieces or grill your own.

11 of 12

12 of 12

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Lentil Shepherd's Pie

Lentil Shepherd's Pie
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Lentil Shepherd's Pie Recipe

The bulgur releases just enough starch to bind the lentil- and mushroom-packed filling together. The skin of the potato contains about half the total fiber; we love the rustic edge and earthiness it adds to our creamy tater topper.

12 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 12 Upside-Down Shepherd's Pie
    2 of 12 Easy Tex-Mex Shepherd’s Pie
    3 of 12 Meatball Shepherd's Pie
    4 of 12 Cauliflower Shepherd's Pie
    5 of 12 Shepherd's Pie with Potato Crust
    6 of 12 Easy Shepherd's Pie
    7 of 12 Moroccan Shepherd's Pie
    8 of 12 One-Pan Portabella Mushroom Shepherd's Pie
    9 of 12 Pumpkin Shepherd's Pie
    10 of 12 Keto Shepherd’s Pie
    11 of 12 Pastel de Choclo (Beef and Corn Shepherd's Pie)
    12 of 12 Lentil Shepherd's Pie

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email
    MyRecipes

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMyRecipes.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. MyRecipes is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. MyRecipes may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright MyRecipes. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.myrecipes.com

    Sign in

    View image

    12 Twists on Shepherd's Pie
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.