Shepherds Pie Freezer Meal
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
Is this crock pot shepherd’s pie recipe healthy?
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?
How to make this shepherd’s pie recipe in the slow cooker?
What kind of meat can I use?
What to serve with this crockpot shepherd’s pie recipe?
How to store this healthy shepherd’s pie crock pot recipe?
Can I use an instant pot instead?
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
*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
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!
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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:
-
Preheat oven to 350. (Not needed if freezing to cook later)
-
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 olive oil to large 3 qt. saute pan on medium-high heat. Once oil is heated add onion and carrots.
-
Saute 3-5 min, or until veggies are slightly tender. Add beef and brown.
-
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.
-
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 is browned, drain, then add celery and sauce and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes.
-
Pour beef mixture into 9×13? baking dish and set aside to cool.
-
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.]
-
Cook uncovered in preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes broil on high for 5 minutes.
-
Let sit for 10-15 minutes then enjoy!
Freezer Directions:
-
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.
-
Freeze until ready to cook!
Cooking Directions from Frozen:
- Preheat oven to 425 and cook for 45-60 minutes (covered). After cooking broil for 5 minutes (uncovered).
- Let sit for 10-15 minutes then enjoy!
Cooking Directions from Thawed:
- Preheat oven to 375 and cook for 30 minutes (covered). After cooking broil on high for 5 minutes (uncovered).
- Let sit for 10-15 minutes then enjoy!
Don't forget to pin this recipe and save it for later! 👇
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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:
-
Preheat oven to 350. (Not needed if freezing to cook later)
-
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 olive oil to large 3 qt. saute pan on medium-high heat. Once oil is heated add onion and carrots.
-
Saute 3-5 min, or until veggies are slightly tender. Add beef and brown.
-
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.
-
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 is browned, drain, then add celery and sauce and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes.
-
Pour beef mixture into 9×13? baking dish and set aside to cool.
-
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.]
-
Cook uncovered in preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes broil on high for 5 minutes.
-
Let sit for 10-15 minutes then enjoy!
Freezer Directions:
-
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.
-
Freeze until ready to cook!
Cooking Directions from Frozen:
- Preheat oven to 425 and cook for 45-60 minutes (covered). After cooking broil for 5 minutes (uncovered).
- Let sit for 10-15 minutes then enjoy!
Cooking Directions from Thawed:
- Preheat oven to 375 and cook for 30 minutes (covered). After cooking broil on high for 5 minutes (uncovered).
- Let sit for 10-15 minutes then enjoy!
