Imagine the comforting flavors of shepherd’s pie in a warm, hearty soup! Shepherd’s Pie Soup recipe is perfect for cozy evenings or family gatherings. Packed with vegetables, tender ground meat, and creamy mashed potatoes, it’s a delightful twist on a classic favorite.
Let’s explore how to make this easy and flavorful dish.
Preparation and Cooking Time
Before you begin, it’s helpful to know how much time you’ll need to whip up this delicious soup.
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
This recipe is quick, making it perfect for busy weeknights. You’ll have dinner on the table in under an hour!
Essential Kitchen Tools for Easy Cooking
Having the right tools on hand makes this recipe even easier to prepare. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Large Soup Pot or Dutch Oven: For a one-pot cooking experience.
- Cutting Board and Knife: Essential for chopping veggies like carrots, onions, and celery.
- Potato Masher: To give the soup that creamy mashed potato texture.
- Wooden Spoon or Ladle: For stirring and serving your savory creation.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: To ensure you get every ingredient just right.
Gather these tools, and you’re ready to bring shepherd’s pie soup to life!
Ingredients for Shepherd’s Pie Soup
To get the rich, classic flavors of shepherd’s pie in soup form, you’ll need the following ingredients:
For the Soup Base
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb (classic shepherd’s pie uses lamb, but beef works great too)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (adds a slight smoky depth)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Mashed Potato Topping
- 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to season
Optional garnishes like fresh parsley or shredded cheddar cheese add even more flavor.
How to Make Shepherd’s Pie Soup?
This recipe is easy to follow, and soon your kitchen will smell incredible! Follow these step-by-step instructions.
Step 1: Cook the Meat
Start by heating a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef or lamb and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess fat, but leave about 1-2 tablespoons for flavor.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Add the diced onions, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the veggies are soft and fragrant.
Step 3: Add Flavorful Ingredients
Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and smoked paprika. Mix everything well to coat the veggies in these rich flavors.
Step 4: Build the Soup Base
Pour in the beef or chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 20 minutes, letting the flavors meld together. Add the frozen peas near the end for a pop of color and sweetness.
Step 5: Make the Mashed Potatoes
While the soup simmers, boil the peeled and cubed potatoes in a separate pot until fork-tender (approximately 12-15 minutes). Drain the potatoes and mash them with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Set these aside for the final step.
Step 6: Combine and Serve
To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and add a generous scoop of mashed potatoes on top. You can swirl the mashed potatoes slightly into the soup for creamy pockets of deliciousness! For a finishing touch, sprinkle with parsley or shredded cheese.
Tips for Perfectly Creamy Shepherd’s Pie Soup
- Use Fresh Herbs: While dried herbs work well, fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme elevate the flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Peas: They add sweetness and are a hallmark of shepherd’s pie. Feel free to toss in some corn for variety.
- Upgrade the Potatoes: Adding shredded cheddar cheese or sour cream to your mashed potatoes works wonders for extra creaminess.
- Adjust the Consistency: If you prefer a thicker soup, mash some of the vegetable mixture into the broth.
Why You’ll Love Shepherd’s Pie Soup?
Shepherd’s Pie Soup is more than just a meal; it’s comfort in a bowl. Here’s why this recipe is a must-try:
- Family-Friendly: It’s a one-pot wonder that pleases both adults and kids.
- Customizable: You can swap ground beef for turkey or make it vegetarian by using lentils and vegetable broth.
- Budget-Friendly: Everyday ingredients create a filling, wholesome dinner.
Plus, the leftovers taste even better the next day!
Health Benefits of Shepherd’s Pie Soup
This soup not only satisfies your taste buds but also offers nutritional perks:
- Protein-Packed: Ground meat provides plenty of protein to keep you feeling full longer.
- Vegetable-Rich: Carrots, celery, peas, and onions deliver vitamins and fiber.
- Moderate Carbs: With potatoes as the star carb, this dish balances indulgence with nourishment.
It’s the perfect blend of hearty and healthy.
Variations to Try
Feel free to make small tweaks to this recipe for variety:
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute the meat with mushrooms or lentils and use vegetable broth.
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free broth!
- Extra Spices: For more depth, experiment with cumin or add a pinch of cinnamon.
Experiment and make this recipe your own. No matter how you tweak it, the results will be delicious!
Storing and Reheating
Got leftovers? Shepherd’s Pie Soup is just as good the next day. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Separately store the mashed potatoes to prevent them from becoming mushy. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, for the best results.
For longer storage, freeze the soup base (without potatoes) in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight, reheat, and prepare fresh mashed potatoes.
Shepherd’s Pie Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb classic shepherd’s pie uses lamb, but beef works great too
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 large carrots chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary chopped (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika adds a slight smoky depth
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 large russet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup milk or heavy cream for extra richness
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to season
Instructions
- Start by heating a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef or lamb and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess fat, but leave about 1-2 tablespoons for flavor.
- Add the diced onions, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the veggies are soft and fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and smoked paprika. Mix everything well to coat the veggies in these rich flavors.
- Pour in the beef or chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 20 minutes, letting the flavors meld together. Add the frozen peas near the end for a pop of color and sweetness.
- While the soup simmers, boil the peeled and cubed potatoes in a separate pot until fork-tender (approximately 12-15 minutes). Drain the potatoes and mash them with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Set these aside for the final step.
- To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and add a generous scoop of mashed potatoes on top. You can swirl the mashed potatoes slightly into the soup for creamy pockets of deliciousness! For a finishing touch, sprinkle with parsley or shredded cheese.
Notes
- Use Fresh Herbs: While dried herbs work well, fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme elevate the flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Peas: They add sweetness and are a hallmark of shepherd’s pie. Feel free to toss in some corn for variety.
- Upgrade the Potatoes: Adding shredded cheddar cheese or sour cream to your mashed potatoes works wonders for extra creaminess.
- Adjust the Consistency: If you prefer a thicker soup, mash some of the vegetable mixture into the broth.
