Our Quick Shepherd’s Pie with Cheese (Cheddar Only)
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This is our quickest shepherd’s pie with cheese, just 7 ingredients and 25 minutes start to finish. It’s one of my dad and grandfather’s favorite dinners so of course, we cook it all the time.
Unlike our more indulgent bacon cheeseburger shepherd’s pie, this one keeps it simple, ground beef, potato, corn and shredded cheddar on top. If you want something fast on a weeknight with ingredients you probably already have, this is the one to make.
This has to be one of the easiest meals on the planet.
How to make Shepherd’s Pie with cheddar cheese
Shepherd’s pie is a family favorite for many families I am sure.
What is shepherd’s pie called with beef?
Shepherd’s pie typically contains lamb but we have always called it Shepherd’s pie even though we make it with ground beef. Any pie made with beef, should technically be called cottage pie.
But, cottage pie sounds so weird to me!
Why We Keep This One Simple
This version skips the bacon, ketchup and mustard from our bacon cheeseburger shepherd’s pie and sticks to just cheddar. It’s the faster, simpler option when you want dinner done without a grocery run. If you’re in more of an indulgent mood, the cheeseburger version is the one to make instead.
Supply List
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 5 potatoes mashed or 1 package instant potatoes
- 1 can corn
- 2 tbsp crushed garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 1 package shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions : Step by Step
- Heat oil and garlic in skillet. Once garlic turns slightly brown, add ground beef and cook until browned
- Add 1/2 mashed potatoes to a small 8×8 baking pan spreading across the bottom and then layer corn and beef. Finish top layer with remaining potatoes and season. Add shredded cheese to top.
- Bake 350 for 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly brown.
- Serves 3-4
- Double up recipe to make a 9×11 sized dish
Tips
Nutrition
Who doesn’t love ground beef, potato and corn mixed with cheese?
Most everyone will love this dish and it’s perfect for serving a large crowd.
Shepherd’s pie is kind of a staple dinner in our family.
When I was younger, both my mom and grandmother had many variations of shepherd’s pie and adding shredded cheddar cheese is a quick simple way to spruce it up.
Nothing has really changed, except we are all just a bit older now! 😉
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Letting the garlic go too far. The recipe calls for cooking it until “slightly brown” before adding the beef, browned garlic turns bitter fast.
Skipping the seasoning on the top layer. The recipe calls for seasoning the potato layer before the cheese goes on, skip that step and it tastes flat underneath the cheese.
Using 8×8 amounts for a bigger crowd. This recipe is sized for 3-4 servings in an 8×8 dish. Double the whole recipe if you’re using a 9×11.
Pulling it before the cheese browns. This bakes until the cheese is melted AND slightly browned, pull it the moment it melts and you’re missing the best part.
Frequently Asked Questions
This one skips the bacon, ketchup and mustard and keeps it to just cheddar, ground beef, potato and corn, about half the ingredient list and a faster prep. Full cheeseburger version here.
Yes, the recipe already calls for either 5 mashed potatoes or a package of instant, both work.
Shredded cheddar. I haven’t tested other cheeses in this specific recipe, so I can’t say how they’d melt or taste here.
Bake at 350 until the cheese is melted and slightly browned on top, about 25 minutes.
Yes, the recipe itself calls for doubling it if you’re using a 9×11 dish instead of the 8×8.
More Shepherd’s Pie Posts
Easy 30 minute shepherd’s pie
Shepherd’s pie with instant potatoes
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie with sweet potato
Healthy Shepherd’s Pie with cauliflower mash
Bacon Cheeseburger Shepherd’s Pie
How to reheat shepherd’s pie
Meet Jessica
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
Oh my goodness that looks good! I love shepherds pie.
Also I love reading your blog for multiple reasons but mostly because my boyfriend and I are going to be moving back in with my mom to save money for a house so it’s nice to see how you all make it work. Have a great day!
Oh yum! This looks absolutely delicious! I haven’t had shepherds pie in years.