Shepherd’s Pie Casserole
This shepherd’s pie casserole recipe is a delightful twist on a cozy cold weather classic. Made with spiced ground beef, veggies, cheese, and soft baked yams, this easy 45-minute dinner is comfort food at its finest.
This fun version of cottage pie is not only delicious, but the combination of all the ingredients, make for a comfort meal that is nutritious and has a taste that is out of this world. It’s the ultimate comfort food.
I had shepherd’s pie casserole years ago and I didn’t like it. I think it was because it felt like a big plate of mush.
I love the ingredients of what goes in a pie but I guess I didn’t like it mixed together.
Years later, at an overnight at my sister-in-law’s house, she shared a home cooked gourmet meal with us. It is shepherd’s pie casserole.
I am a good guest though so I dutifully take a bite.
WHAT?
Surprisingly, I am loving it. Between bites, I am also asking questions about it.
She didn’t know the recipe as her friend cooks for her once a week. So, I decide I’m going to just try to replicate it.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Olive oil – extra virgin.
- Ground beef – grass-fed.
- Onion – large. I use the vidalia variety but you can use yellow onion if you prefer.
- Beef broth – if you don’t have any on hand, you can use chicken broth.
- Yams – I enjoy yams on top but if you prefer mashed potatoes, feel free to substitute them.
- Cumin – ground.
- Oregano – ground. You can use either thyme, basil, or even rosemary.
- Salt – sea salt.
- Black pepper – ground.
- Garlic – I use paste, but you can use the equal amount of garlic cloves.
- Kale – optional.
- Cheddar cheese – shredded. I shred it myself but you can buy it pre-shredded.
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Helpful tips
- I wanted to keep the yams as ‘whole’ as I could, so I chose not to peel them or mash them, but if you prefer mashed potatoes yams on top, then go for it.
- Bake the yams before you start the meal. I bake mine in my toaster oven.
- Here’s how to bake the yams: The yams take 45 minutes to bake. I won’t add the time to the recipe card. With a sharp knife, slice into the yam at least 6 times and cover with foil. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes. You can bake the yams a few hours before you make the shepherd’s pie.
- You can use fresh corn if you prefer. I use frozen, that way I can eat this year round.
- You can substitute the kale with spinach if you prefer.
- Even though I use corn, kale, and onion as the main vegetables. You can add carrots, or peas.
- For this recipe I use white cheddar cheese but you can use orange cheese if you prefer.
How to make a shepherd’s pie casserole
Pre-step
Bake two yams for 45 minutes or until soft.
Also get a casserole dish and a deep sauté pan.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – grass-fed beef, a large onion, beef broth, and two freshly baked yams. (A)
Step two
Chop the onion in medium sized pieces.
Step three
Heat the deep pan on medium heat and once that heats up, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes.
Step four
Add the ground beef, salt, cumin, oregano, and garlic paste and continue to sauté for 5 minutes. (B) Use a metal spatula to break up the ground beef while it cooks.
You want the beef on the rare side.
Step five
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step six
Cut the freshly cooked yams in thin slices and get the corn out of the freezer. (C)
Start layering
Step seven
Add broth to the meat mixture and bring to a simmer. Stir in the corn and simmer for 2 minutes.
Step eight
Pour meat mixture into the baking dish and take out the kale. (D)
Step nine
Take a few handfuls of kale and place them on top of the meat mixture. (E)
Step ten
Layer the yams on the kale and shred cheddar cheese on top. (F)
Step eleven
Bake for 25 minutes.
So delicious!
I hope you enjoyed this Shepherd’s Pie Casserole recipe! Christopher and I certainly enjoy this meal.
Other casserole recipes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Shepherds Pie Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 pound ground beef grass-fed
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons garlic paste or 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup corn fresh or frozen
- 1 cup kale a few handfuls
- 2 baked yams cut into thin slices, lengthwise
- 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- You can bake the yams a few hours before starting the recipe, or you can start baking them a half hour before starting the recipe. – see notes on how.
- Heat up your sauté pan on medium heat and once that heats up, add oil.1 tablespoons olive oil
- Add onions and sauté for 5 minutes.1 onion
- Add beef, salt, cumin, oregano and garlic paste and sauté for 5 more minutes.1 pound ground beef, 1 teaspoon cumin, 2 teaspoons oregano, 2 teaspoons garlic paste, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- Add broth and let it come to a simmer, add corn and cook for 2 minutes.1 cup beef broth, 1 cup corn
- Pour meat mixture in baking dish.
- Spread kale over meat mixture.1 cup kale
- Place yam slices over kale covering it completely and sprinkle cheddar over the yams.2 baked yams, 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- Bake for 25 minutes
- Let rest for 5 minutes before cutting into the shepherd’s pie
- Plate with a veggie
- Eat
- Sigh
- Enjoy
Equipment
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Nutrition
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to crafting delightful dishes and cocktails, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
Mmmm This looks yummY!!!
Thank you Deanna!
Love comforting recipes like this. Totally need to try it with yams instead of potatoes.
Thanks so much Matt! It’s so good with the yams!
This looks absolutely delicious! Shepherd’s pie is one of my favourite meals and your version looks fantastic, especially with that gorgeous yam topping!
Thanks so much Cliona!
I just heard someone talking about how traditionally shepherd’s pie is made with lamb.. so maybe the version you didn’t like had lamb! I love that you swapped out the potatoes for yams- yum!
I’m not sure Sarah, as I love lamb. I think it was all mixed together!
This looks and sounds fantastic! I especially like the addition of the kale, which I have never included in Shepherd’s Pie before! Yum!
Thank you Amy! It’s quite yummy with the kale. I’ve also used spinach which is just as yummy!
My daughter has been on a huge Shepherd’s Pie kick lately! Love the idea of using yams!
Thank you Lisa! It’s so tasty with the yams!
I love shepherd’s pie. Topping it with yams is such a delicious change of pace. Will have to remember this for next time I need to whip up this casserole.
Thanks Gloria! It’s fun with the yam! Thank you for your comment. 🙂
Like you I too was not a fan of shepherds pie at first but now it has grown on me! Love the step by step photos in this post!
Thank you Vicky!
Awesome unique twist on the traditional! I love the use of yams (great color), kale, and spice combo in this.
Thank you Kristen!
this is a total comfort food..and love the switch up.
Thank you Dixya!
I shepherds pie in my youth while living at school in England and I didn’t much care for it at the time. If they had served one like yours I would have loved it! Thanks for sharing a great recipe.
Thanks so much Analida! I love how our tastes change over the years!
I, for one, ADORE shepherd’s pie, but I’ve had a really bad one before: I can imagine how that would have turned me off very early on had that been my first encounter with the dish. I love that you use baked yam slices in place of the traditional mashed potatoes: combined with the kale, this is a very healthy version of the classic!
Thanks so much Michelle!! I do prefer the yams myself, which is weird because I totally love mashed potatoes!!
I think it’s great to take an old idea and add something new to it. Now I know that yams are sweet potatoes I will definitely be making this as I prefer them to mashed potato anyway!
Thanks Amanda. It makes it extra tasty, at least to me!!
That looks so good Lainey, doubly so because you used yams instead of potatoes, love it and will try your way asap! 🙂
Thanks so much Patty!! You are such a good friend!
LOVE this new version over the classic mashed potatoes!
Thank you Chris!
I have to admit that I also didn’t like shepherds pie in the past but it’s one of those things that I’ve grown to love over the past few years. I love the way you’ve prepared this one – sounds so tasty!
Thank you Corina, I appreciate it!
I love anything that finds a way to swap potatoes for the more nutritious yams and sweet potatoes! Brilliant!
Thank you Tina!! 🙂
Comforting! I love Shepard’s pie!
Thanks Jacque!
I’m loving this healthy and colorful twist on a classic. It looks delicious.
Thank you Janette!
I’m always looking for this kind of family oven dishes, and I’m pretty sure my kids will love this one too. Thanks!
Thank you Amelie!! I hope they enjoy it! It’s quite yummy!
I love that you top the whole thing with yams. Such a delicious touch!
Thanks Lauren!!
This is such a British classic and always reminds me of being a kid. We try to have it every couple of weeks.
Mmmm. I want to now have it monthly! Thanks Danielle!
I love this updated and healthier twist on shepherd’s pie! I have a Paleo personal chef client who I think would really love this so am going to give it a try. Well, I’d have to delete the corn, but everything else is perfect!
Thanks Carol! It would be perfect Paleo (sans corn)!
Shepherds pie with a twist? Yes please ! I am not a fan of traditional shepherds pies, even though I madly love mashed potatoes… really curious of the taste of yours!
Tatiana! Thanks. I love mashed potatoes too but not on shepherds pie. The yams are perfect because they aren’t mashed with anything!
So I’m like you…I dont like Shepard’s Pie….like at all but this….THIS looks and sounds amazing! I just printed this off and I cant wait to try it this week!!
Thanks so much Amanda!
Love Shepherd’s Pie around this time of year! So cozy, hearty, and delicious. Definitely hope to make it soon!
Thanks so much Christine!!
I never thought to use yams instead of potatoes. What a great twist on a classic comfort food!
Thank you Carrie! 🙂
What a fantastic idea to use yams instead! And grass-fed beef too? Love your version.
Thanks you Katherine!!
You clever girl, I never had kale but the sweet potatoes sounds a good option. I don’t make shepherds pie because my family do not love mashed potatoes, but this version might go win them over.
Thanks Laura!! I love the sweet potatoes just sliced. Gives it a nice bite instead of mush 🙂