Irish eyes will be smiling because the air fryer makes the best shepherd’s pie recipe around!
Savory meat and veggies are cooked under a cheesy potato topping in the air fryer with minimal prep and cleanup! It’s your lucky day!
Amazing Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
- What is Shepherd’s Pie? It’s a savory entrée made with a base of seasoned ground beef (or lamb), mixed vegetables, and covered with a cheesy mashed potato topping.
- The traditional shepherd’s pie recipe has been made even quicker, easier, and just as delicious in the air fryer so it’s on the table in minutes without heating up the stove or oven!
- Shepherd’s pie can be prepared fresh, but it’s also a great way to use up leftover meat, veggies, gravy, or mashed potatoes.
- Super versatile shepherd’s pie can be assembled up to one day in advance. Let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking in the air fryer.
Ingredients and Variations
Meat – Traditionally, shepherd’s pie is made with ground lamb, but any meat like leftover cooked turkey or chicken will make this a budget-friendly and delicious dinner! For vegetarians, simply switch out the meat altogether for tofu, seitan, or black beans.
Filling – Instead of brown gravy mix, use a can of cream of mushroom, celery, or chicken soup
Mashed Potatoes – This recipe is made uber-easy by using instant mashed potatoes, but leftover mashed potatoes or even a tub of store-bought will work great!
How to Make the Best Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
- Prepare mashed potato topping and set aside.
- Cook beef in a skillet and drain fat. Add the remaining ingredients (per the recipe below). Bring to a boil, then simmer until the sauce is thickened.
- Pour the beef mixture into the bottom of an air fryer-safe pan. Cover with potato topping. Cook until the top is golden.
Storing Shepherd’s Pie
Keep leftover Shepherd’s Pie in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or the microwave.
For frozen air fryer Shepherd’s Pie, prepare as directed and cool completely. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Cook as directed.
More Ground Beef Recipes
Did you enjoy this Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie recipe? Leave a comment and rating below!
Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie
Equipment
Ingredients
Mashed Potato Topping
- 2 cups prepared instant mashed potatoes or leftover mashed potatoes
- ¼ cup milk
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- ½ cup cheddar cheese shredded, optional
Filling
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 packet brown gravy mix 3 Tablespoons
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Instructions
Mashed Potato Topping
- In a medium bowl add prepared mashed potatoes, milk, melted butter and cheddar cheese (if using). Stir until well combined. Set aside.
Meat Filling
- Combine beef or lamb, onion and garlic in a large skillet. Cook over medium high heat until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
- Add frozen vegetables, gravy mix, Worcestershire sauce, thyme leaves, and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, and simmer at medium-high heat for 7-9 minutes or until thickened.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Place the beef mixture in the bottom of an air fryer/heat safe pan. Top with the potato mixture.
- Place pan in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes or until heated through and the top is golden.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
© EverythingAirFryer.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!
REPIN this Air Fryer Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Place pan in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
At what temperature? Please be specific in your recipe.
Hi CJ, the temperature can be found in step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
Great tasting recipe, but one thing. In the ingredients spices are listed (thyme, salt, and pepper), but it doesn’t say anywhere in the instructions when to app them.
We add the spices in step 4 when sprinkling the beef mixture with the gravy mix. Hope that helps!