Weeknight Shepherd’s Pie: Leftover Pot Roast Was Never So Good

Name: Weeknight Shepherd's Pie
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 medium potatoes; 1/2 cup milk; 2 tablespoons butter; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon white pepper; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1/4 cup chopped, fresh, or frozen onion; 4 ounces fresh mushrooms, chopped, (or 2 oz. canned mushrooms, sliced); 1 cup frozen peas and carrots; 1 package 17-ounce beef roast au jus (2-3 cups leftover beef roast, fork-shredded or cut in chunks); 1 package (.87 ounce) brown gravy mix mixed with 1 cup water; 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme; Freshly-ground pepper; Paprika; Thin slices of 1-2 tablespoons butter

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This recipe for Shepherd’s Pie might be even better than the original pot roast and potatoes. Cut up leftover pot roast or buy roast beef, add veggies and seasoning, then top with mashed potatoes and bake.

Weeknight Shepherd’s Pie was first published in 2012. This post was updated in March 2019.

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

Is it called Shepherd’s Pie or Cottage Pie? According to Jamie Oliver, make this recipe with lamb and call it Shepherd’s Pie. Make it with beef and call it Cottage Pie. Oops! This recipe calls for beef, however, I called it Shepherd’s Pie. My mistake. But it’s too late to teach Google a new trick.

Do you have memories connected with a lot of your favorite foods?

Me, too. I think that might be the definition of comfort food.

Shepherd's Pie-in serving bowl with serving spoon

This is my “Shepherd’s Pie” memory…

My Aunt Marg (third from the left in the picture below), of Strawberry Pie and French Silk Pie fame, is not only a good cook but also a genealogy expert. She planned a trip for my sister and another aunt to visit and explore locations where some of the Herd family (my maiden name) lived near Sedburgh, England.

Eating Shepherd's Pie in London — Sherlock Holmes restaurant in London where I ate Shepherd’s Pie

In addition to traipsing through graveyards and visiting old churches, we ate lots of good food. Of course, we had fish and chips. But we also got to sample another British favorite, Shepherd’s Pie (with lamb) in a pub in London where the picture was taken.

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

Did you make pot roast and have lots of leftovers?

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

Finished Shepherd's PIe garnished with fresh thyme

It seems like every time I publish a recipe, people ask questions about substitutions.

So here you go…

Possible substitutions…

Ground beef for pot roast

It’s worth noting that many people use ground beef instead of pot roast or roast beef. You could also substitute lamb if you prefer.

Leftover mashed potatoes

The recipe below includes instructions for the mashed-potato topping if you don’t have leftovers. Personally, 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

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

Mushrooms not your thing? No worries. Leave them out.

However, I’ve subbed corn or green beans in the past, and it didn’t hurt the recipe one bit.

How To Make the Mashed Potato Topping:

The directions call for cooking 3 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 along with the peeled and chopped (large chunks) potatoes. Set pot to high pressure for 10 minutes. Release 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:

Sauté chopped onions in oil until softened.

If using, add fresh chopped mushrooms or canned mushrooms that are well-drained.

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

Cut cooked beef into bite-sized pieces and stir into vegetables.

adding beef for meat layer of shepherd's pie

Add leftover gravy, or use brown gravy mix you have already made according to the directions.

Sprinkle with dried thyme.

Stir together and warm meat and vegetables on top of the stove.

Assembling Weeknight Shepherd’s Pie:

Distributing mashed potato topping over meat layer

Distribute mashed potatoes over the top of meat and vegetables. I like to use a spring-loaded ice cream scoop because it can be difficult to spread the potatoes like you would frosting on a cake.

Use a spatula to gently smooth potatoes.

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

Pin the picture below to save for later.

shepherds pie, shepherd's pie, weeknight, supper, beef, roast, mashed potatoes, leftover,

If you make this recipe and enjoy it, consider helping other readers and me by returning to this post. Leave a rating on the recipe card itself underneath the picture. Although always appreciated, comments aren’t required. Thank you for visiting! Paula

Yield: 8 servings

Weeknight Shepherd's Pie

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

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

Mashed Potato Topping:

3 medium potatoes
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Meat Layer:

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

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.