Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups hot mashed potatoes
- 4 ounces Philadelphia Cream Cheese, cubed
- 1 cup Kraft Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
- 1 cup beef gravy
Directions
Step 1: Gather all ingredients.
Step 2: Preheat your oven to 375F (190C).
Step 3: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Make sure its fully cooked and browned.
Step 4: While the meat is browning, prepare the mashed potatoes by mixing them with the cubed cream cheese, 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and the minced garlic. Stir until everything is well combined and smooth.
Step 5: Once the beef is browned, drain any excess fat and return the meat to the skillet. Stir in the thawed mixed vegetables and beef gravy, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is well incorporated.
Step 6: Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture into a 9-inch square baking dish, spreading it evenly.
Step 7: Spread the prepared mashed potato mixture over the meat and vegetable layer, making sure it covers everything. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Step 8: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Variations
- BBQ Shepherds Pie: Follow the recipe as directed, but omit the garlic. Substitute the beef gravy with 3/4 cup Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce mixed with 1/2 teaspoon onion powder.
- Healthier Version: Use extra lean ground beef, Philadelphia Neufchatel Cream Cheese, Kraft 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese, and Kraft 2% Milk Shredded Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese.
- Quick Version: Use instant mashed potatoes. Prepare the potatoes according to the package instructions, but omit the milk. This will keep the potatoes fluffy when you add the cream cheese.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 435
- Total Fat: 25g (32% Daily Value)
- Saturated Fat: 12g (60% Daily Value)
- Cholesterol: 89mg (30% Daily Value)
- Sodium: 772mg (34% Daily Value)
- Total Carbohydrates: 32g (11% Daily Value)
- Dietary Fiber: 6g (20% Daily Value)
- Total Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 24g (48% Daily Value)
- Vitamin C: 16mg (18% Daily Value)
- Calcium: 60mg (5% Daily Value)
- Iron: 3mg (15% Daily Value)
- Potassium: 645mg (14% Daily Value)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. The values are based on available nutrient data.

Comments
Daniel Young
08/22/2023 06:36:17 AM
Revised review: This casserole is perfect for cooks of all skill levels, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro! The affordable ingredients come together beautifully to create a delicious dish. The addition of cream cheese gives it a creamy texture that holds together nicely when sliced into four to six portions. It's also great for leftovers reheated in the microwave. I made a few modifications to the recipe: - I greased my 8x8 glass Pyrex baking dish with garlic-infused olive oil - I used ground turkey instead of beef - I swapped frozen peas for mixed vegetables - I made my own beef gravy using beef stock, onion salt, and a cornstarch slurry - I broiled the dish for 4 minutes after cooking, positioning it about 8 inches below the broiler - I garnished the finished dish with a sprinkling of parsley before serving Overall, a fantastic dish that you can easily customize to your liking!
John Diaz
11/20/2023 02:15:55 PM
Outstanding experience! I created a delicious red wine sauce using the meat drippings, paired with mushrooms for a hearty, earthy taste. Additionally, I included carrots and yellow onions to enhance the dish. The organic ground beef was perfectly seasoned with kosher salt, black pepper, oregano, and rosemary.
Jack Ramirez
06/23/2024 08:13:35 PM
I tried this recipe with some modifications. Since I didn't have cream cheese, I substituted it with mashed potatoes made using plant butter and lactose-free milk. My daughter requires gluten-free and dairy-free options, so I used plant-based shredded cheese. I also added a stalk of celery, a medium onion, a 15 oz can of mixed veggies, and Worcestershire sauce to the meat and brown gravy. The three of us thoroughly enjoyed it! I plan to experiment with using instant garlic potatoes next time. This recipe is definitely a keeper for us. We only had one serving left, which says it all!
Catherine Allen
06/24/2023 07:32:21 PM
This recipe is fantastic and perfect for using up leftover mashed potatoes. I swapped out the beef for ground turkey and used chicken bouillon to make the gravy. Cooking the meat with onion in a cast iron skillet makes it easy to transfer the whole pie straight into the oven. It's a one-pan wonder. I served it with a side of multi-color chard.
Amy Collins
12/17/2022 09:47:14 PM
I love using whatever vegetables I have on hand. Yesterday, I used peppers from the garden, corn, and carrots. It was so delicious!
Anthony Green
03/29/2023 03:10:07 AM
I enhanced the flavor of the hamburger by adding sauteed onions and peppers during cooking, and for the mashed potatoes, I mixed in garlic and a jar of bacon bits to elevate the taste. This is pretty much my go-to mashed potatoes recipe, and it never fails to impress.
Donald White
01/22/2023 02:13:26 PM
I made some changes to this recipe. I cooked the ground beef seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic, together with onions, minced garlic, and fresh green beans. Instead of gravy, I substituted 3/4 block of cream cheese. I also used a mix of colorful potatoes for the mashed potatoes. Topped with cheddar cheese. The result was absolutely delicious!
Tyler Anderson
07/12/2023 01:52:09 PM
I have been using this recipe for years! It's a family favorite. I always enhance the flavor by seasoning the meat with onions and garlic, but otherwise, I stick to the original recipe.
Margaret Phillips
01/21/2023 09:18:06 AM
Absolutely scrumptious! Quick to whip up and a hit with the whole family... I'll definitely be making it over and over again.
Elizabeth Rodriguez
05/28/2024 11:29:04 PM
Delicious! I enhanced the flavor by incorporating onion and garlic into the meat while cooking. Opted for moose meat. Don't forget to double the potato portion, it's so tasty!
Sandra Nelson
07/15/2023 04:22:35 PM
I made a few adjustments like others suggested, and I also included onions in the ground beef mixture.
Ruth King
12/15/2022 10:01:13 AM
I made some adjustments to the recipe. Being a former resident of England, I swapped out mixed vegetables for "mushy peas." I prepped it in advance, which resulted in a 45-minute cooking time. The flavors turned out fantastic.