Easy Shepherd’s Pie with Leftover Pot Roast

Name: Easy Shepherd's Pie with Leftover Pot Roast
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds cooked beef chuck (, shredded and then chopped coarsely); 2 cups sliced (, cooked carrots); 2 cups green beans; 1/4 cup butter; 2 cups whole milk; 1/3 cup flour; salt and pepper to taste; 2 1/2 pounds of potatoes ((about 3 to 4 large potatoes)); 3/4 cup whole milk; 1/4 cup butter; 1 cup shredded cheddar

January 26, 2015 by Marye Audet 35 Comments

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I don’t think there is a more family friendly comfort food than this easy shepherd’s pie made with leftover pot roast. Since it’s made with beef rather than lamb it’s technically a cottage pie but you call it what you want. I call it really, really good! The cooked, leftover beef is covered with a layer of green beans, cheese, and mashed potatoes then baked to cheesy, bubbly perfection. This recipe has been updated from the January 2015 version for better reader experience.

For this recipe you’ll need: left over pot roast or roast beef, carrots, potatoes, green beans, butter, milk, flour, Cheddar cheese

One thing I like to do is make a large pot roast in the slow cooker on Sunday or early in the week. I’d spend time looking up leftover pot roast recipes because I got kind of tired of leftover pot roast sandwiches. Finally one day I decided to try it in place of the ground beef in my shepherd’s pie recipe and BINGO! I know most recipes call for ground beef but I promise you once you try it with leftover roast? You’ll be hooked.

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What is it about shepherd’s pie anyway? There is the meat layer, then a carrot layer, then a green bean layer. I add creamy gravy over that and then top with mashed potatoes and cheese. It seems like simple enough ingredients but when it’s baked it turns into something so incredible it’s crazy!

It’s really funny. My family is starting to get smaller. We are down to 4 kids at home now and they do not have the appetites of some of the kids who have moved out. It’s been much harder to learn to cook smaller portions again than it was to learn to cook huge amounts. I am at that in-between stage where I frustrate myself by having to throw out way too much food. I miss the big family chaos, a lot. I am not sure I will ever get used to it — and it’s one of those things that was a season that is now passed — no going back. I am grateful that I was able to be a stay at home mom, to homeschool, and to spend all the time with them that I did. I can’t think of a better way to have invested my life.

Shepherd’s Pie Recipe FAQs

Do you cover shepherd’s pie when baking?

Not usually because you want that top to develop a thin, golden crust. If the top starts to brown too much or too quickly you can tent a piece of foil over it.

What are the layers of shepherd’s pie?

That’s really up to you. Since it is basically made of leftovers you could put in whatever leftover vegetables you have. Green beans and sliced or mashed carrots are common. So the first layer is the meat, followed by the green beans and/or carrots. Add any cooked vegetable you like. Next you’ll pour the gravy over the whole thing, add a layer of potatoes, and then I like to add a layer of cheese even though it’s not traditional.

Do you put cheese on top of shepherd’s pie?

Traditionally speaking there isn’t normally cheese in or on shepherd’s pie. However, personally I love cheese on top. Cheddar, smoked Gouda… any cheese that melts well will work.

How do you make shepherd’s pie sauce?

Again, this tends to be a matter of preference. Some people make a savory tomato and Worcestershire sauce while others (me!) prefer a cream gravy type of sauce. Try both and see which you like.

Is shepherd’s pie made with lamb or beef?

Well, technically shepherd’s pie is made with lamb and cottage pie (exactly the same except the meat) is made with beef.

I hope that clears a few questions up for you!

Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

At church we are doing a series on reclaiming mealtimes — putting away all electronics and concentrating on each other at three meals a week. It’s always a good reminder what’s important, you know? This is the kind of food that makes dinner one of those memorable times.

Once you try this easy shepherd’s pie with leftover pot roast you’ll be hooked. It’s so quick and easy that it makes a great weeknight dinner– and you can even put it together a day or so ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready to eat. If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars!