Name: Weeknight Shepherd's Pie with Leftover Roast Beef
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 3 potatoes (medium); 1/2 cup milk; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon white pepper; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1/4 cup chopped onion (fresh, or frozen); 4 ounces fresh mushrooms (chopped, (or 2 oz. canned mushrooms, sliced)); 1 cup frozen peas and carrots; 1 package beef roast au jus-17 ounces ((or 2-3 cups leftover beef roast, fork-shredded or cut into chunks) ); 1 package brown gravy mix ((.87 ounce pkg of brown gravy mix and 1 cup water or use leftover gravy)); 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme; Freshly-ground pepper; Paprika; 2 tablespoon butter (thin slices)

Sneak Preview: Shepherd’s Pie with Leftover Roast Beef is a simple way to use pot roast or roast beef leftovers for a weeknight casserole. You’ll be praying for pot roast leftovers.

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If your family can predict the menu for the next two or three days whenever you prepare a beef roast, surprise them. Use your leftovers to make Shepherd’s Pie. This recipe might be even better than the original pot roast and potatoes that started it.

Leftovers were never so comforting.

Is it called Shepherd’s Pie or Cottage Pie? According to Jamie Oliver, make this recipe with lamb and call it Shepherd’s Pie. Then, make it with beef and call it Cottage Pie. Oops! This recipe calls for beef; however, I called it Shepherd’s Pie. My mistake.

individual serving of Shepherd's pie on a plate with a flork

But it’s too late to teach Google a new trick. So anyway, I think most Americans call this dish Shepherd’s Pie no matter what kind of meat they use.

Roast Beef Leftovers?

Did you make a pot roast and have lots of leftovers? I called this a”Weeknight” recipe because we usually have pot roast on Sunday. So that means we have this easy leftover beef recipe during the following week.

Whenever I have this dilemma, I have trouble deciding if I want to make this Weeknight Shepherd’s Pie recipe, Vegetable Beef Soup, Steak and Mushroom Soup, or Leftover Brisket Quesadillas. They are all great ways to recycle leftover beef. I’ve been known to forbid seconds on my roast beef so there will be plenty of leftovers for one of these recipes the next day.

Shepherd's Pie-in serving bowl with serving spoon

If you don’t have leftovers, you can buy a pot roast or use sliced roast beef from the deli counter—more about that in the recipe.

Finished Shepherd's Pie garnished with fresh thyme and smoked paprika

Possible substitutions

Ground beef for leftover pot roast

It’s worth noting that many people substitute one pound of ground beef for the pot roast or roast beef. Of course, you could also substitute lamb if you prefer.

Roast beef layer of Shepherd's Pie — Meat layer using shredded beef before topping with mashed potatoes

Leftover mashed potatoes

The recipe below includes instructions for the mashed potato topping if you don’t have leftovers. I try to make plenty of potatoes and gravy, too. That way I don’t have to make them again for this recipe.

Mashed cauliflower for potatoes

Are you counting carbs? Substitute mashed cauliflower for the potatoes. It’s also scrumptious. Bet your family will be hard-pressed to tell the difference.

Mushrooms, corn, or green beans

Are mushrooms not your thing? No worries. Leave them out.

If you want more veggies, I have subbed corn or green beans in the past, and it didn’t hurt the recipe one bit.

Easy Shepherd's Pie in a skillet, garnished with fresh thyme

How to make the mashed potato topping:

The directions call for cooking three peeled potatoes in water. When tender, drain well.

I cook potatoes in the Instant Pot by adding 1-1/2 cup water to the pot and the peeled and chopped (large chunks) potatoes. Set pot to high pressure for 10 minutes. Release the pressure immediately, and check to see if potatoes are tender. Drain well and allow to sit in the hot pan for a few minutes to dry out.

Mash with a potato masher until lumps disappear.

Season with salt and pepper.

How to assemble the meat layer:

softening onions in a skillet — Sauté chopped onions in oil until softened.

adding mushrooms to onions — If using, add fresh chopped mushrooms or canned mushrooms that are well-drained.

adding peas to mushrooms — Next, throw in some frozen peas and carrots. (Or add peas if you had carrots leftover with your roast.)

adding leftover roast beef to vegetables — Cut cooked beef into bite-sized pieces and stir into vegetables.

adding gravy to leftover beef roast and veggie mixture — Add leftover gravy (or use a brown gravy mix) you have already made according to the directions.

seasoning shepherd's pie with thyme — Sprinkle with dried thyme.

warming leftover roast beef, vegetables, and gravy — Stir together and warm meat and vegetables on top of the stove.

How to put together Shepherd’s Pie with Leftover Roast Beef:

Distributing mashed potato topping over meat layer of Shepherd's pie — Distribute mashed potatoes over the top of meat and vegetables. I like to use a spring-loaded ice cream scoop because it can be challenging to spread the potatoes the same way you frost a cake.

smoothing potato layer — Use a spatula to gently smooth potatoes.

pouring butter over mashed potato layer — Pour melted butter over the top of the potatoes. Sprinkle with paprika or smoked paprika if you like. Bake in a 350˚F oven until potato tips are golden brown and the beef layer is bubbly.

Baked Shepherd's Pie in a skillet — Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if you have it.

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Did you enjoy this recipe? If so, you can help others and me by leaving a 5-star 🤩 rating in the comment section below. No comment is required.

p.s. If you have any questions or suggestions, you can email me privately: Paula at saladinajar.com.

Hope to see you again soon!
Paula

Weeknight Shepherd’s Pie with Leftover Roast Beef

Roast beef and vegetables (peas and carrots) in a rich beef gravy covered with a layer of seasoned mashed potatoes

Paula Rhodes

4.36 from 54 votes

Print Recipe Save

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 50 mins

Course Entrees

Servings servings

Ingredients

Mashed Potato Topping:

3 potatoes - medium
½ cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon white pepper

Meat Layer:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
¼ cup chopped onion - fresh, or frozen
4 ounces fresh mushrooms - chopped, (or 2 oz. canned mushrooms, sliced)
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
1 package beef roast au jus-17 ounces - (or 2-3 cups leftover beef roast, fork-shredded or cut into chunks)
1 package brown gravy mix - (.87 ounce pkg of brown gravy mix and 1 cup water or use leftover gravy)
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
Freshly-ground pepper
Paprika
2 tablespoon butter - thin slices

Instructions

Mashed Potato Topping

Cover peeled potatoes with water and boil until tender. Drain.
Mash potatoes until relatively smooth. Heat milk and butter in microwave for 1 minute. Add to potatoes. Season to taste with salt and white pepper.

Beef Layer

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Preheat large skillet and add vegetable oil. Sauté onions in skillet until soft. Add mushrooms to onions and continue to sauté until browned. Add peas and carrots.
In separate bowl, prepare gravy mix and water. Add to skillet along with beef and thyme. Stir and simmer until mixture begins to thicken. Season with freshly-ground pepper.
Pour meat mixture into greased 1-1/2 quart casserole dish. Carefully spoon mashed potatoes on top and swirl. Sprinkle with paprika if desired and thin slices of butter.
Bake in 350 degrees F oven for 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are golden on top and beef mixture is bubbly.

Video

Notes

If I have lots of leftover gravy, I don’t use the brown gravy mix. If you prefer to make your own gravy, here’s a good beef gravy recipe you can put together from scratch.

Mushrooms are optional but add to the meaty taste and texture.

If you have it, smoked paprika is nice on top or leave it off completely.

Potatoes can be cooked in an Instant Pot. 10 minutes on high pressure with quick release.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 353kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 25gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 313mgPotassium: 818mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1879IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 3mg

Essentials

Keyword leftover mashed potatoes, leftover roast beef, shepherds pie

Cuisine American

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

13 Delicious Leftover Roast Beef Recipes - The Rusty Spoon

Tuesday 18th of January 2022

[…] 7. Roast Beef Shepherd’s Pie […]

Erin MacDougall

Friday 12th of November 2021

Can this left over shepherds pie be frozen?

Paula

Hi Erin, Good question. I don't recommend it because of the potatoes. I think it would be fine to freeze the meat portion.

Sneak Peek: 24+ Best Leftover Roast Beef Recipes Ever

Monday 1st of November 2021

[…] 18. Leftover Roast Beef Shepherd’s Pie […]

Christy Montano

Sunday 17th of October 2021

Absolutely yummy recipe! Used left over Tri-tip and it was perfect. Thank you for giving me another great go-to recipe! Family loved it too!!

Monday 18th of October 2021

Glad you liked it Christy. So generous of you and come back and say so!

Ken

Thursday 2nd of September 2021

Hi Paula. Made your cottage pie yesterday and it was delicious. Used cut up prime rib from the weekend and let me tell you I will never use ground beef again.Served it with a side of pickled red cabbage which is what we did growing up in England. Your recipe is definitely a keeper and will be a regular dish in our household. Thanks Paula. Ken.

Prime rib? Wow. I want to eat dinner at your house. Glad this recipe worked out for you. Thanks so much for writing back.