Shepherds Pie Freezer Meal

Gluten Free

Crock pot shepherd's pie

Crock pot shepherd’s pie is such a comfort meal for me! PLUS, Shepherds Pie is the first dinner my 8 year old daughter independently made for our family.

Since then this meal has held a special place in my heart and takes comfort food to a whole new level.

It freezes REALLY well and is a very cost effective meal which makes it great for freezer meal planning!

It is so delicious with a little bit of a different spin on your traditional shepherds pie. I hope you enjoy!

This healthy and easy shepherd’s pie recipe is clean with all natural ingredients. 

A traditional shepherd’s pie may involve lamb and different veggies then below but I try to make all my recipes with common household ingredients. 

So instead of unique veggies I included my favorites here for you to enjoy!

Plus crockpot meals are SOOOO easy and shepherd’s pie can feel like way too much work sometimes. This crock pot shepherd’s pie is so easy you will make it a regular meal. 

Why you will love this crockpot shepherd’s pie recipe. 

  • Super Easy
  • Extremely Tasty
  • Healthy (Soy Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Preservative Free)
  • Family Friendly
Crockpot Shepherds Pie | Crock pot shepherd’s pie | Crock pot shepherd’s pie recipe | Shepherd’s pie crock pot | Crock pot shepherds pie | Slow cooker shepherd’s pie | Easy shepherd’s pie | Crockpot shepherds pie allrecipes

Is this crock pot shepherd’s pie recipe healthy?

Yes! This recipe is healthy because it focuses on preservative free living. By enjoying clean food and using healthy organic spices you can make great food that is healthy, clean and fills you up. 
 

Ingredients you will need for this crockpot shepherd’s pie recipe. 

  • potatoes
  • butter
  • milk
  • garlic powder
  • dreid thyme
  • salt
  • pepper
  • ground beef
  • onion
  • carrots
  • celery 
  • olive oil
  • diced tomato
  • broth of preference
  • basil
  • tapioca starch

What kind of broth should I use?

I love the flavor that homemade veggie broth or chicken broth adds to any recipe. Lots of people use beef broth for shepherds pie which is a great choice but my preference is homemade veggie broth or chicken broth. 
 
 

How to make this shepherd’s pie recipe in the slow cooker?

Follow the recipe card below to see how easy it is to make this crock pot shepherd’s pie recipe. 
 

 

What kind of meat can I use?

You can use ground beef, ground turkey or even lamb for this recipe. 
 

What to serve with this crockpot shepherd’s pie recipe?

Serving any hot plate dinner with a fresh slaw is always a good idea in my book. You could also add some fruit or other fresh sides so you have plenty of different textures with dinner. 
 

How to store this healthy shepherd’s pie crock pot recipe?

After cooking store in fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
 
 

Can I use an instant pot instead?

No, this recipe does not yet have instant pot instructions. 

But the instant pot is a great tool If you are tight on time or a last minute cook. For slow cooker to instant pot conversion 
times click here to get a simple instant pot cheat sheet. You will never have to guess or research an instant pot cook time again!
 

*See FAQ’s and specific tips following recipe below. (so you don’t have to scroll for a million years to find the food 😉 ).

How do you make this crock pot shepherd’s pie Recipe? 👇 

Crock Pot Shepherd's Pie

Homemade crock pot shepherd’s pie is so easy tomake. This freezer meal is an easy shepherd’s pie for any night of the week.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, british
Keyword: crock pot shepherd's pie, crock pot shepherd's pie recipe, crockpot shpeherd's pie, shepherd's pie crock pot
Servings: 8
Calories: 500kcal
Author: Hannah Stewart

Ingredients

Mashed Potato Ingredients:

  • 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup butter (for paleo use coconut oil or ghee)
  • 1/2 cup milk (I prefer almond milk)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 3 tsp salt or salt to taste
  • 1/2 tsp pepper or pepper to taste

Filling:

  • 2 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cup carrots, chopped
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1 cup diced tomato
  • 1 cup stock (I prefer chicken or veggie)
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp tapioca starch

Instructions

Directions:

  • Put on a large pot of salted water (Add a large pinch of salt) and bring to a boil. Meanwhile peel and chop potatoes. Once water is boiling add potatoes and boil for 15-25 minutes (Or until potatoes fall apart when poked with fork)
  • Blend together sauce ingredients and set aside.
  • Add sauce and filling ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours. (Do not stir beef and sauce together until after cooked)
  • Check potatoes for doneness. (If potatoes fall apart when poked with a fork they are ready to be drained and mashed) If not let boil longer. If potatoes are ready drain and mash together with all mashed potato ingredients.
    Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to cool.
  • Once beef/filling is cooked, break apart the beef and mix together filling.
  • Top off with mashed potatoes and cook on low for 30 minutes.
  • Serve and enjoy!

if you liked this recipe give it a share!

Tag @My_FamilyDinner or #MyFamilyDinner

How freezer meals will change your life.

Makes homecooking Easy

Only spend one hour in the kitchen for a whole week of dinners. Day of, throw your freezer meal in the slow cooker or instant pot and enjoy dinner!

feel confident

Knowing you have a fool proof systen for something that is easy and works gives you confidence in the kitchen. So wether you're a seasoned chef or occational home cook the method of freezer cooking will work for you!

Eat Healthier

Because you're prepping the freezer meals with fresh foods you're eating healthier. Anytime you cook at home instead of eating out you get the benefits of healthier food.

Enjoy less stress

Have you ever felt the pressure of forgetting about dinner, or having to cook at the end of a long day?! No more, just grab something out of the freezer and you're good to go.

Frequently asked questions

No problem! Just throw the freezer meal in your slow cooker and follow the cooking directions and you’re all set. 

(You may need to add an extra 30 minutes cook time if completely frozen when cooking).

Shepherd’s pie traditionally is made with lamb, and can be known as cottage pie when made with ground beef. However in Chinese pie you do not always use potatoes on top as a crust. 

Some of the more common sides for a shepherd’s pie include fries, garden peas or runner beans. These are more of the traditional British favorites. 

A serving size assumes a 1/8th portion at 500 kcal per serving. 

No unfortunately not. But if you love using your instant pot for other recipes then download this instant pot cheat sheet for cook times click here!

There is no concrete answer but the theory is that Pate Chinois (chinese pie) was an adaptation of shepherds pie during the building of the Canadian railway in the 19th century. 

Traditionally no but sometimes cheese is grated within the mashed potatoes for a cheesy top. 

Although it can be fun to add some delicious cheddar on top and get a crispy cheesy top. 

Here are some vegetables that go great with crock pot shepherds pie. 

  • peas
  • carrots
  • beans
  • leeks
  • shredded cabbage
  • kale
  • roasted parsnips

Some great drinks to pair with a crock pot shepherds pie dinner are…

  • english ale
  • stout 
  • porter
  • red rioja
  • red bordeaux
  • southern french red

Non Crockpot Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350. (Not needed if freezing to cook later)

  2. Put on a large pot of salted water (Add a large pinch of salt) and bring to a boil. Meanwhile peel and chop potatoes. Once water is boiling add potatoes and boil for 15-25 minutes (Or until potatoes fall apart when poked with fork)

  3. Blend together sauce ingredients and set aside.

  4. Add olive oil to large 3 qt. saute pan on medium-high heat. Once oil is heated add onion and carrots.

  5. Saute 3-5 min, or until veggies are slightly tender. Add beef and brown.

  6. While beef is browning, check potatoes for doneness. (If potatoes fall apart when poked with a fork they are ready to be drained and mashed) If not let boil longer.

  7. If potatoes are ready drain and mash together with all mashed potato ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to cool.

  8. Once beef is browned, drain, then add celery and sauce and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes.

  9. Pour beef mixture into 9×13? baking dish and set aside to cool.

  10. Once beef mixture is slightly cool top with mashed potatoes and spread carefully. [If freezing then at this point you will freeze the casserole prior to baking. See freezer directions below for the next step. If not freezing then continue on to step 6.]

  11. Cook uncovered in preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes broil on high for 5 minutes.

  12. Let sit for 10-15 minutes then enjoy!

Freezer Directions:

  1. Cover shepherds pie and be sure to label with recipe name, cooking directions and expiration date (today’s date plus three months). Free printable label on recipe post.

  2. Freeze until ready to cook!

Cooking Directions from Frozen:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 and cook for 45-60 minutes (covered). After cooking broil for 5 minutes (uncovered).
  2. Let sit for 10-15 minutes then enjoy!

Cooking Directions from Thawed:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 and cook for 30 minutes (covered). After cooking broil on high for 5 minutes (uncovered).
  2. Let sit for 10-15 minutes then enjoy!

Don't forget to pin this recipe and save it for later! 👇

Crockpot Shepherds Pie | Crock pot shepherd’s pie | Crock pot shepherd’s pie recipe | Shepherd’s pie crock pot | Crock pot shepherds pie | Slow cooker shepherd’s pie | Easy shepherd’s pie | Crockpot shepherds pie allrecipes

Shepherds Pie is the first dinner my 8 year old daughter independently made for our family.

Since then this meal has held a special place in my heart and takes comfort food to a whole new level.

This recipe is gluten free and can be easily made paleo with a few adjustments.

 

It freezes REALLY well and is a very cost effective meal which makes it great for freezer meal planning!

It is so delicious with a little bit of a different spin on your traditional shepherds pie. I hope you enjoy!

Shepherds Pie

 

Mashed Potato Ingredients:

  • 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup butter (for paleo use coconut oil or ghee)
  • 1/2 cup milk (I prefer almond milk)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 3 tsp salt or salt to taste
  • 1/2 tsp pepper or pepper to taste

Filling:

  • 2 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cup carrots, chopped
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1 cup diced tomato
  • 1 cup stock (I prefer chicken or veggie)
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp tapioca starch

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350. (Not needed if freezing to cook later)

  2. Put on a large pot of salted water (Add a large pinch of salt) and bring to a boil. Meanwhile peel and chop potatoes. Once water is boiling add potatoes and boil for 15-25 minutes (Or until potatoes fall apart when poked with fork)

  3. Blend together sauce ingredients and set aside.

  4. Add olive oil to large 3 qt. saute pan on medium-high heat. Once oil is heated add onion and carrots.

  5. Saute 3-5 min, or until veggies are slightly tender. Add beef and brown.

  6. While beef is browning, check potatoes for doneness. (If potatoes fall apart when poked with a fork they are ready to be drained and mashed) If not let boil longer.

  7. If potatoes are ready drain and mash together with all mashed potato ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to cool.

  8. Once beef is browned, drain, then add celery and sauce and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes.

  9. Pour beef mixture into 9×13? baking dish and set aside to cool.

  10. Once beef mixture is slightly cool top with mashed potatoes and spread carefully. [If freezing then at this point you will freeze the casserole prior to baking. See freezer directions below for the next step. If not freezing then continue on to step 6.]

  11. Cook uncovered in preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes broil on high for 5 minutes.

  12. Let sit for 10-15 minutes then enjoy!

Freezer Directions:

  1. Cover shepherds pie and be sure to label with recipe name, cooking directions and expiration date (today’s date plus three months). Free printable label on recipe post.

  2. Freeze until ready to cook!

Cooking Directions from Frozen:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 and cook for 45-60 minutes (covered). After cooking broil for 5 minutes (uncovered).
  2. Let sit for 10-15 minutes then enjoy!

Cooking Directions from Thawed:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 and cook for 30 minutes (covered). After cooking broil on high for 5 minutes (uncovered).
  2. Let sit for 10-15 minutes then enjoy!
 
 

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating