Irish-Inspired Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

Why I Chose This Recipe:
March calls for something hearty and comforting while we wait for spring to fully show up. Shepherd’s Pie feels fitting for St. Patrick’s Day, but it’s also just a solid, practical meal that uses simple ingredients and feeds everyone well.

Use

• Ground beef or lamb (or local pasture-raised meat if you have it)

• Home-canned green beans or carrots

• Fresh onions and garlic from storage

• Backyard eggs and milk for extra-rich mashed potatoes

• Leftover mashed potatoes if you’ve already made them

Ingredients

For the Filling:

• 1 lb ground beef or lamb

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup carrots, diced

• 1 cup green beans or peas

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 cup beef broth

• Salt, pepper, thyme (to taste)

For the Topping:

• 3–4 cups mashed potatoes

• 2 tbsp butter

• Splash of milk

• Salt & pepper

How to Make It

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. In a skillet, brown the meat with onion and garlic. Drain excess fat if needed.

3. Stir in carrots, green beans/peas, tomato paste, broth, and seasonings. Simmer 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened.

4. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the top.

5. Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.

6. Broil for 2–3 minutes if you want a crisp top.

Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips

• Add shredded cheddar to the mashed potatoes for extra richness.

• If you’re short on time, use leftover mashed potatoes from earlier in the week.

• Double the filling and freeze one for later — it reheats beautifully.

• A sprinkle of fresh parsley on top gives it that subtle St. Patrick’s Day green without going overboard.