Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe: Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's Pie gets even easier when you use leftover vegetables and mashed potatoes from Thanksgiving! This recipe is perfect for any roasted or steamed vegetables, including green beans, corn, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, or asparagus. For the full recipe, see my fan-favorite Shepherd's Pie Recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 cups leftover mashed potatoes, warmed until spreadable
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef or ground lamb*
- 1 1/2 tsp salt, divided, or added to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dry red wine, such as Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet, Sauvignon
- 1 cup beef broth or chicken broth
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 cups leftover vegetables of choice, green beans, asparagus, peas, carrots, and corn
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat and preheat the oven to 400°F. Add oil to the pan and brown the ground beef or lamb, breaking it up until no pink remains. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the chopped onions to the ground beef, cooking about 3 minutes until the onions soften, and then add the minced garlic. Cook another minute until fragrant.
- Add the flour over the ground beef mixture, stirring for 1 minute, and a film covers the pan.
- Add the red wine to the pan, using a wooden spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze, and then add the broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce, stirring to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, cooking for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens some, and then add the leftover veggies. Stir to combine.
Assemble the Casserole
- Add the ground beef mixture to a rectangular 11x7 or square 9x9 casserole dish or deep pie dish.
- Spread the leftover mashed potatoes over the top of the casserole dish all the way to the edges, so the filling won't bubble over the sides.
- Place the dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips. Drizzle the melted butter over the mashed potatoes, and then place into the oven to cook for 25-30 minutes. The mashed potatoes will turn golden brown. Remove the dish and allow the casserole to sit for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
*Turkey Shepherd's Pie - Swap the ground meat with leftover chopped turkey by adding it along with the garlic in step 2.
Storage Directions:
- Make ahead - Build the casserole completely and then cover with foil. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours until ready to bake, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Refrigerator - Cool leftovers and refrigerate within 2 hours in an airtight container.
- Freeze - Cover with plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn, and freeze the casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight
- Reheat - Heat portions in the microwave or reheat in the air fryer or oven at 350°F until heated through to 165°F.
Nutrition Facts
Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe: Shepherd's Pie
Amount per Serving
Calories
264
% Daily Value*
Fat
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
4
g
25
%
Trans Fat
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
5
g
Cholesterol
39
mg
13
%
Sodium
656
mg
29
%
Potassium
741
mg
21
%
Carbohydrates
26
g
9
%
Fiber
4
g
17
%
Sugar
2
g
2
%
Protein
14
g
28
%
Vitamin A
2528
IU
51
%
Vitamin C
26
mg
32
%
Calcium
39
mg
4
%
Iron
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.