This easy shepherd’s pie recipe is a delicious way to use up leftover roast beef! Meat and vegetables are enveloped in a rich gravy and then covered with a creamy cloud of buttery mashed potatoes. During the last few minutes of baking the whole thing is sprinkled with Cheddar cheese so that each bite is gooey, buttery, creamy perfection.
You’ll also find several variations and possible substitutions to make this recipe your very own.
For this recipe you’ll need: left over pot roast or roast beef, carrots, potatoes, green beans, butter, milk, flour, Cheddar cheese
Table of Contents
Shepherd’s Pie or Cottage Pie?
I don’t think there is a more family friendly comfort food than this easy shepherd’s pie made with leftover roast beef.
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 pot roast (or roast beef) is covered with a layer of green beans, cheese, and mashed potatoes then baked to cheesy, bubbly perfection.
Leftovers Save You Time in the Kitchen
If you really want to save time in the kitchen it’s smart to plan for leftovers!
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 always have leftovers and 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.
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! And addictive!
Dealing with Leftovers More Than Ever
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.
For the first time in decades I’m having to deal with leftovers.
I miss the big family chaos, a lot. I am not sure I will ever get used to it this quiet household — 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.
Bringing Back Family Dinners
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 seems a little sad that we have to be reminded to do it… and that we struggle to do it three times a week but it’s a start.
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. It’s the kind of meal that encourages you to sit back and really talk without being in a hurry to leave the table.
More Family Dinner Ideas
It won’t be hard to get the family to the table with these recipes! They’re some of our favorites – I hope you’ll love them, too!
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast Sandwiches are a great way to use leftover roast beef! OR they’re a great way to create leftovers for this recipe!
- Italian Beef Sandwiches are similar but the pot roast is slow cooked with piquant pepperoncini peppers and the liquid from the jar.
- Pot Roast with Jalapeno Cheese Grits are my favorite comfort food. The grits are creamy with gooey cheese and each bite bites you back a little thanks to the jalapenos! The butter tender beef is piled on top so the juices flow into the grits. Try this!
- Cajun Slow Cooker Pot Roast is a family favorite. The beef is slow cooked with cajun spices and flavorings until it just falls apart on your fork and melts in your mouth.
- Smoked Sausage Shepherd’s Pie is another of my favorite twists on a classic Cottage Pie!
Recipe Tips, Substitutions, and Variations
This is an easy recipe but I’ve learned to shave off a few minutes by using convenience food when I have to. Here are some of my favorite tips for making this cottage pie recipe.
- Jarred, prepared gravy is a great timesaver if you are in a rush.
- Save time by using prepared mashed potatoes from the store. Costco has some that are really good.
- Cooked ground beef can be used in place of the leftover roast beef – You’ll need about 3 cups.
- Cooked, boneless chicken can be substituted for the beef.
- Pulled pork is a delicious variation to this recipe. I like to substitute corn for the carrots, and use BBQ sauce over the meat instead of gravy when using the pulled pork.
- Shepherd’s Pie can be assembled up to 2 days ahead of time – keep covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it.
- Chopped onions can be sauteed until tender in some butter and added over the meat layer.
- Want to save some calories and carbs? Use mashed cauliflower in place of the potatoes.
- You may add peas instead of green beans – or along with the green beans if you like
Shepherd’s Pie Recipe FAQs
Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.
Do you cover shepherd’s pie when baking?
Not usually because you want that top to develop a thin, golden crust of gooey cheese. 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, cooked vegetables you happen to have in the fridge. 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 mashed potatoes, and then I like to add a layer of cheese even though it’s not traditional.
Can cheese ever be wrong?
Do you put cheese on top of shepherd’s pie?
Ah, you’ve got me.
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. You could also use a brown gravy. Try everything and see which you like best.
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!
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A covered casserole dish is great to have because you can make it ahead and easily keep it covered until you are ready to bake it. Leftovers can be stored right in the same dish with its own cover. Very handy!
Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Once you try this easy shepherd’s pie with leftover roast beef 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!
Easy Shepherd’s Pie with Leftover Pot Roast
Watch This!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds cooked beef, leftover pot roast works well shredded and then chopped coarsely
- 2 cups carrots, cooked
- 2 cups green beans, cooked
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/3 cup flour
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 1/2 pounds potatoes, (about 3 to 4 large potatoes)
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°.
- Grease a baking dish and add the leftover cooked beef in an even layer.
- Cover with a layer of the carrots, then the green beans.
- Set aside.
- Melt the 1/4 cup butter in a heavy frying pan.
- Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly until it is a golden color, about 2 minutes.
- Whisk in the milk and simmer, stirring often, until the gravy is smooth and thick.
- Pour over the meat and vegetables.
- Set aside.
- Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks.
- Boil them in salted water until they are very tender.
- Mash them with a potato masher or use a mixer, adding in the 3/4 cup milk and 1/4 cup butter.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Spoon over the meat and vegetables and sprinkle the cheddar over the top.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the cheese it bubbly and the dish is heated all the way through.
Notes
- Jarred, prepared gravy is a great timesaver if you are in a rush.
- Save time by using prepared mashed potatoes from the store. Costco has some that are really good.
- Cooked ground beef can be used in place of the leftover roast beef – You’ll need about 3 cups.
- Cooked, boneless chicken can be substituted for the beef.
- Pulled pork is a delicious variation to this recipe. I like to substitute corn for the carrots, and use BBQ sauce over the meat instead of gravy when using the pulled pork.
- Shepherd’s Pie can be assembled up to 2 days ahead of time – keep covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it.
- Chopped onions can be sauteed until tender in some butter and added over the meat layer.
- Want to save some calories and carbs? Use mashed cauliflower in place of the potatoes.
- You may add peas instead of green beans – or along with the green beans if you like
Nutrition
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Instead of making a traditional gravy I use the immersion blender and blend up any leftover carrots, onions and pot roast juices and use that as “gravy” mmmmmmm 😍
That sounds delicious!!
sounds amazing!
Delicious
Question: what size baking dish do you use?
13×9 🙂
Omg. This was the best shepherds pie I have ever had! I used left over pot roast meat ground up in a food processor with the left over cooked onions. I also used a whole can of veggies. I was a little worried about the gravy because it didn’t look like it would add much flavor but it made the meat so creamy tasting. My 3 year absolutely loved it as well. Definitley a keeper!
I’m so glad you liked it!
I don’t care for mashed potatoes, so I made Shepard pie with left over roast beef that I shereded the meat in my food processor mixed it up with onion, carrots gravy then put a baking powder biscuit topping on it. It was great.
That does sound good!
Can i assemble 3hours ahead ,refrigerate, and then pop into oven?
sure! That’s no problem at all/
I love Shepard’s Pie. However my mom used to take her left over roast of beef and put it through the meet grinder with an onion and would add a bit of left over gravy. She would then add mashed potatoes to the top and bake until heated through. If she had left over vegies she would add this to the top of the meat mixture before adding the mashed potatoes. She would then take it out of the oven and add shredded cheese on top and return to the oven until it is melted. To Die For!!!
That sounds delicious!
I know what you mean about cooking smaller meals. We raised three very active sons. I never had leftovers! Now that it’s just my husband and myself, I have leftover leftovers. My neighbors know that they can stop by any time and they will leave with filled containers of food. I never made a Shepherd’s Pie with a milk based gravy. I can’t wait to try it and can’t wait to visit your website again.
It’s so hard to get used to, isn’t it?
I love homey dishes like this. And what a great idea to make it with pot roast. Sounds so wonderful.
I think it is, thanks!
Dear Marye, I had no idea there was a difference between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie. I always learn something here. My husband is English and he would LOVE this Shepherd’s Pie. Sounds fabulous with the pot roast.
🙂 I really love the texture and flavor the pot roast brings.
I love Shephard’s Pie. It’s such a simple and wonderful comfort food.
Oh I do too Elena. Thanks for stopping by!
I have never met a Shepherd’s Pie I haven’t liked. They are the perfect way to use up leftovers in a way that everyone enjoys.
Definitely! I’ve even made vegetarian ones!
What a great use for leftover pot roast, this sounds delicious, I will have to give it a try soon!
Thanks! Let me know!
In my book, anything with mashed potatoes is a winner! I love how they help all of the other ingredients cling to each other, and taste so good–even when they’re leftovers!
I totally agree!
My husband is all about meat and potatoes, so he would pretty much be obsessed with this hearty dish!
🙂 Mine is definitely a meat and potatoes guy and he likes it. 🙂
I don’t usually make comments. My husband I enjoyed this so much that I had to let you know! It is hard to come up with what to do with that little bit of leftover roast beef. This is just simple comfort food. Hubbie said it is a KEEPER! Thank you for Sharing., I have Shared it too.
Thank you! I am so glad you liked it, Debbie!
Oh, I love this idea! 🙂 I have actually made shepherds pie before with pot roast meat, and yes! So much better than using lamb or ground beef.
🙂 I totally agree! I think I’ll be doing it this way from now on.
What a great way to use up leftovers! I love it. And I love the idea of reclaiming mealtime – we are guilty of eating with the TV on and our cellphones nearby. It would be nice to eat together and talk to each other – I remember meal times when I was a kid and there weren’t cellphones yet. It was nice. 🙂
Absolutely!
I know. When I was homeschooling and a SAHM we eat 3 meals together daily (except the ex) once the divorce happened I had to put them in school ..we do get a majority of dinners together unless my current husband is working late. 🙂
I love finding recipes to make leftovers into something else entirely. What a delicious use for pot roast.