Traditional Shepherd’s Pie is the ultimate comfort food, a dish that brings warmth and satisfaction with every bite. This traditional recipe features tender ground lamb (or beef, if preferred), a mix of vegetables, and a creamy layer of mashed potatoes, all baked together until golden and bubbling. It’s the kind of meal that’s both filling and flavorful, making it perfect for family dinners, casual gatherings, or meal prepping for the week.
The foundation of Traditional Shepherd’s Pie is the savory filling. Ground lamb, cooked with onions, carrots, and peas, provides a rich, meaty base that is hearty and satisfying. The mixture is simmered in a savory gravy made from broth, herbs, and a touch of Worcestershire sauce, giving the filling a depth of flavor. The meat and vegetables come together in perfect harmony, with the earthy richness of the lamb complementing the sweetness of the carrots and the slight freshness of the peas.
The mashed potatoes are the crowning glory of this dish. Creamy, buttery, and smooth, they’re spread generously over the top of the meat filling, creating a comforting layer that holds everything together. As the pie bakes, the top of the potatoes becomes golden brown and slightly crispy, offering a delightful contrast to the tender filling beneath. For an extra touch of richness, some grated cheese can be sprinkled on top before baking, giving the pie an extra layer of flavor and a beautiful golden finish.
Shepherd’s Pie is a versatile dish that can easily be customized to your tastes. You can swap the lamb for ground beef for a Cottage Pie variation, or add extra vegetables like corn or mushrooms for added flavor. This dish is perfect for leftovers as the flavors continue to develop, and it’s a meal that everyone will love. Whether served with a side of salad or enjoyed on its own, Shepherd’s Pie is a classic that never goes out of style.

Ingredients
- 2 lb mild Italian sausage
- 1 bag tater tots seasoned
- can sweet corn
- 1 lb shredded cheese for this i like mozzarella, any
- can spaghetti sauce your favorite
- tablespoon garlic minced fresh
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Brown the sausage, adding the onion and mixing until done.
- While cooking the sausage, microwave the bag of tater tots for about 5 minutes or until soft.
- Spray an 8×11-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray.
- Spread 1/4 of the tater tots evenly on the bottom of the pan.
- Add 1/4 of the sausage on top of the tots, spreading it evenly without mixing too much.
- Add 1/4 of the corn on top of the sausage.
- Sprinkle 1/2 of the cheese evenly over the corn.
- Pour 1/2 of the sauce over the cheese.
- Add the remaining tater tots in a layer on top of the sauce.
- Add the remaining sausage on top of the tots.
- Spread the remaining corn over the sausage.
- Pour the remaining sauce over the corn.
- Finish by topping with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Meh, it was okay, but the name is misleading. Not what I expected from a shepherd’s pie.
I think it’s called ‘shepherd’s pie’ more for the appeal than accuracy. But I guess it could’ve been better.
I don’t like corn but this might still be good. Can I just leave it out?
Isn’t shepherd’s pie usually made with lamb? I feel like this is just a tater tot casserole.
You’re right, traditionally it’s made with lamb, but this sounds like a delicious twist! I think it’ll still be tasty!
I tried this but it was a bit greasy. Maybe less sausage next time?
I don’t understand why you’d use spaghetti sauce in a Shepherd’s Pie? Isn’t that for pasta?
Why not? Spaghetti sauce tastes good! Plus, it’s cheap and easy. That’s the whole point of this recipe, right?
I get your confusion! But it’s actually a fun twist! The sauce adds flavor and moisture, making it different from traditional recipes. Give it a shot!
This looks super easy! I can’t wait to try it. My kids love tater tots!
That’s awesome! My kids will love it too. Can’t wait to hear how it turns out. 😋
So easy! I just dumped everything together because I’m lazy. It turned out alright.
Dumping stuff together doesn’t sound right… Did you even follow the recipe? Might not taste as good as if you actually cooked it properly. Just saying!
I can’t believe you just dumped it all in! 😂 But hey, if it turned out alright, who am I to judge? I’m all for laziness in the kitchen if it tastes good!
Yum! My husband loved it and we can do it real quick. Thanks for sharing!
I made this for dinner last night. So good and so filling! Will definitely make it again.