This extra quick and extra easy shepherd’s pie recipe is a weeknight winner.
This hearty shepherd’s pie is made with seasoned ground beef and veggies cooked in a creamy sauce and topped with cheese.

Holly’s Recipe Highlights
Flavor: This savory dish is a family favorite. It’s filled with veggies in a meaty, cheesy sauce and topped with tater tots.
Difficulty: This simple dish is comfort food at its best.
Budget tip: This rustic-style meat pie is perfect for using up leftover meats and veggies so it’s a new recipe every time.
Time-Saving Tip: Assemble ahead, cover, and chill until ready to bake. Add a tangy salad and some shortcut dinner rolls for all that tasty sauce.
Made With Simple Ingredients
Meat: Traditionally made with ground lamb, shepherd’s pie is more commonly made with ground beef, cooked chicken, or turkey. Make a vegetarian version without the meat and add extra veggies like carrots, peas, or green beans.
Vegetables: To save time on prep, use leftover carrots, celery, or potatoes from the fridge or a frozen vegetable medley.
Sauce: Any brand of soup will work for this recipe. Or swap it out for cream of mushroom, cream of celery, or cream of chicken instead.
Toppings: Instead of mashed potatoes, this shortcut version uses tater tots and a sprinkle of melty cheddar cheese.
How to Make Shepherd’s Pie
- Cook beef and onion and stir in soup, vegetables, and seasonings (full recipe below).
- Top with tater tots and cheese.
- Bake until the top is bubbly.
Holly’s Best Recipe Tips
- Be sure to let baked shepherd’s pie rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- To freeze an assembled, uncooked shepherd’s pie, wrap it in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month.
- Thaw in the refrigerator, and bake as directed. An additional 5-10 minutes may be needed in the oven.
Save It to Savor It!
Keep leftover shortcut shepherd’s pie in a covered container for up to 3 days and reheat portions in the microwave or covered in foil in the oven until warmed through.
More Comfort Food Favorites
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Shortcut Shepherd’s Pie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 4 cups mixed vegetables defrosted
- 1 (10.75 ounce can) condensed tomato soup
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 package tater tots frozen
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cook beef and onion over medium heat until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
- Stir in condensed soup, mixed vegetables, and seasonings. Leave in oven safe skillet, or spread into the bottom of a casserole dish.
- Sprinkle ½ the cheese over meat mixture, top with tater tots, and then remaining cheese.
- Bake 30-35 minutes or until bubbly.
Notes
- Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers covered with foil in the oven, or microwave single servings.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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