This shepherd's pie recipe is a fabulous comfort food, as well as one of my favorite ways to use up leftover mashed potatoes!
These creamy make-ahead mashed potatoes are practically a requirement for holiday dinners. Even my nephew, who hates mashed potatoes, served himself up three servings of them last Thanksgiving — which is totally fine by me!
However, it can often be tough to determine just how big of a batch I should make. And sometimes I just flat out get it wrong. Luckily, it's usually that I've erred on the side of preparing too much, so it's not a big deal because they're just as delicious reheated.
How To Use Up Leftover Mashed Potatoes
But if I ever get it really wrong, I know I have this yummy shepherd's pie recipe on hand as a fallback. It's a fabulous way to repurpose those left over mashed potatoes into a meal that your family can get excited about!
You simply layer the mashed potatoes over a tasty filling of ground beef and veggies for a satisfying meal that's not only delicious, but quick and easy to prepare. Always a bonus after coming off of a holiday cooking marathon!
Make-Ahead Shepherd's Pie
Or if you're really feeling ambitious, just go ahead and intentionally make extra mashed potatoes. Then you can cook up the filling ahead of time and spread it in one of those aluminum pans I mentioned picking up at Walmart the other day. Layer your mashed potatoes over the top, cover with foil, and refrigerate the entire dish for baking the day after your holiday dinner.
How nice would it be to clean up the kitchen after your Thanksgiving meal knowing that you already have a hot, comforting shepherd's pie waiting to be baked the following day? Especially with no mess to clean up afterwards... Yes, please!
Printable Recipe ↓
Shepherd’s Pie (How to Use Up Leftover Mashed Potatoes)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 (16-ounce) bag frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill
- kosher salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 4 cups leftover mashed potatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, breaking up the meat as it's cooking. Add in onions and garlic, and cook until the onions are translucent.
- Add the frozen vegetables, beef broth, flour and dill, and cook until the veggies are warmed through and the sauce thickens up, about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the meat and veggie mixture into a 2-quart baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are starting to brown on top.
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Not a fan of mixed veggies? Try using just frozen green beans or peas instead. Another suggestion is to sprinkle cheddar cheese over the top of the potatoes. This is an easily customizable dish!
Compu says
Which degrees are these? Fahrenheit or Celsius?
Tara Kuczykowski says
It's 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sondra Holt says
Great way to use left overs! Made way too many mashed potatoes so this was a perfect weeknight option! Super fast to toss together and the littles loved it
Melania says
Thank you for your prompt reply! I do want to clarify that this would work for both the Shepard’s Pie and your Taco Tater Tot Casserole?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yes, it should work for both.
Melania says
I made your recipe for taco tater tots casserole yesterday and need to know if I can freeze the leftovers?
Melania
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yes, you can freeze and reheat it! Just reheat from frozen at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly.
Ellen says
An added idea is to whip cream cheese into your mashed potatoes, it helps make the potatoes stay a bit more firm, but an added delicious flavor too!!
I look forward to trying this recipe!!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yes! My favorite mashed potatoes recipe includes both cream cheese and sour cream, and you're right, it's SO good!
marie says
I did it today and seasoning the meat with latino sofrito and others spices , double the portion of mashed flakes potatoes and seasoning with garlic and onion powder and the sprinkle with paprika .
Tara Kuczykowski says
Sounds delicious, Marie — thanks for sharing!
marie says
I did it today and seasoning the meat with latino sofrito and others spices , double the portion of mashed flakes potatoes and seasoning with garlic and onion powder and the sprinkle with paprika .
Sarah gardner says
Yummy!!! I added one egg and one cup of cheese to the mashed potatoes before spreading on top of the meat and veggie mixture. My picky eaters lived this! Thank you for the easy recipe.
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Mmm, that sounds like a delicious way to add a little extra protein. Thanks for sharing, Sarah!
Annie says
I over estimated how many potatoes my hubby and I would eat for supper last night and now have a TON of leftovers--so glad I found your recipe! I know what we're having for supper tomorrow night :D
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Hope you enjoyed it, Annie!