Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe in the Crockpot
To me, Saint Patrick’s Day signifies the beginning of spring. Here in the Blue Ridge, we usually see fresh green buds making their first appearance around that time… and I’ve worn short sleeves at least a time or two by March 17th as well. Even though these are small accomplishments (if they can be called accomplishments at all) I always feel I have extra cause to celebrate on Saint Paddy’s Day. Lt. Dan and I have a standing lunch date on Saint Patrick’s Day at a local Irish Pub… We’ve held our lunch date tradition for over 20 years. We nibble on corned beef and cabbage and laugh about Saint Paddy’s Day memories from the past. Then we come home and enjoy a hearty Irish-inspired dinner with the whole family. One of our favorite meals, that we are able to throw together before ever leaving the house, is this Crockpot Shepherds Pie recipe.
Our Favorite Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Shepherd’s Pie is a classic Irish dish that I can never get enough of. I’ll admit, the traditional cooking method can seem daunting, because there are numerous steps and ingredients. However, our Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie Recipe cuts out quite a few steps, letting you “set and forget” dinner until much later in the day. When making this recipe, I combine all of the “stew” ingredients in a crock pot, and then just let the slow cooker work its magic. The secret to easy Shepherd’s Pie is that I top the stew with pre-made mashed potatoes. Usually, I reserve some mashed potatoes from a meal earlier in the week, so I don’t have to make them before layering the pie. Yet in a pinch, good quality store-bought mashed potatoes will do the trick.
What Ingredients You Need
I love how simple this Crock Pot Shepherd’s Pie recipe is, and many of these ingredients are pantry staples – aside from the lamb, obviously. Prep only takes a matter of minutes, and then you’re ready to let the slow cooker do the work. Here’s everything you need:
Lamb roast – or beef stew meat, cubed not ground lamb Onion – peeled and chopped Garlic – peeled and minced Carrots – peeled and chopped Frozen peas Frozen corn Stout beer Tomato paste Worcestershire sauce Corn starch Whole grain mustard Beef base Dried thyme Mashed potatoes – either homemade or store-bought Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Substituting dark, robust stout beer – like Guinness – for the wine or broth in most recipes will provide a rich depth and Irish appeal. The alcohol does cook off in the Shepherd’s Pie, but if you’d prefer not to use any alcohol you can simply substitute with more beef broth. Homemade mashed potatoes are usually thicker than store-bought potatoes. If using pre-packaged mashed potatoes, you may want to press the top firmly with paper towels to absorb as much extra moisture as possible, before spreading them on top of the meat mixture.
How to Make Shepherd’s Pie in the Crock Pot
Brown the bite-sized pieces of lamb or beef on all sides in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions, and cook for several minutes until soft. Excluding the mashed potatoes, pour the lamb or beef and all remaining ingredients into the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper and stir well. Wipe the sides of the slow cooker with a paper towel to remove any moisture. Next, top with pre-made mashed potatoes and spread evenly to the edges of the crock. The most important step in this Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie Recipe is to place a long sheet of paper towel over the slow cooker before covering with the lid. The paper towel absorbs most of the condensation from the lid and keeps the potatoes from getting runny. Cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or LOW for 8-10 hours. When we’re ready to eat, I sprinkle sharp cheddar or Dubliner cheese over the top of the hot potatoes and let it melt. Each hearty spoonful of our Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie Recipe is pure Irish bliss! Our Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe with Guinness is perfect to serve on Saint Patrick’s Day this year. I’d bet after trying it once, it will become a new tradition in your family!
How Long Does This Dish Last?
You can store this meal in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. If you bake in the oven, then you can cover the casserole dish/large skillet with some aluminum foil and store it in the fridge.
Can I Substitute Beef for the Lamb?
Lamb is traditional in shepherds pie. (Shepherd, as in sheep.) Yet you definitely can use beef. I recommend using chunks of beef rather than ground beef if you do choose to swap. Ground beef would require stirring, which might not be an option if you are leaving your slow cooker for the day.
How Can I Make this a Low-Carb Recipe?
If you are a fan of mashed cauliflower you could use a pre-made cauliflower mash as a topping in place of the mashed potatoes; however, as cauliflower can be a bit watery, you might want to wait until later in the cooking process to add to your Shepherd’s Pie.
Is it Possible to Make this Crock Pot Shepherd’s Pie Recipe in the Oven?
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Set a large 12-14 inch deep-dish cast iron skillet over medium heat. Brown the lamb and onions (as described in the instructions above.) Then add all remaining ingredients & vegetables, except the mashed potatoes and cheese. Stir well and turn off the heat. Cover with a heavy lid (or with tight foil) and bake for 90 minutes. Spread the mashed potatoes over the top. Bake, uncovered, for another 20 minutes. Then sprinkle the cheese over the top and bake for 3-5 more minutes. Don’t have an oven-safe skillet? Brown the meat in a regular skillet then transfer everything to a large baking dish and spread it out in an even layer.
Looking for More Irish-Inspired Recipes
Beef Cottage Pie Chocolate Guinness Floats Dubliners Fondue Irish Boxties Sweet Irish Soda Bread Irish Potato Pie Apple Beer Bread Irish Coffee Cheesecake – Buttercream Blondie
Check the printable recipe card below for the prep time and nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, protein, and calcium. Make sure to share this recipe on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Share This Recipe With Friends!
