Instant Pot Shepherd’s Pie is an easy comfort food dinner made with seasoned ground beef, mixed vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, gravy, and melted cheddar cheese. The Instant Pot makes preparing this family favorite simple, with everything coming together in one hearty casserole.
I love making this when I want a homemade comfort food dinner without using several pots and pans. Cooking the meat, vegetables, and potatoes in the Instant Pot saves time, and that cheesy mashed potato topping is my favorite part!
“I have tried three of your recipes this week for the instant pot. These are amazing. Gen Tso Chicken tonight was a huge hit. I clearly must double this recipe next time. I have shared your 30 day calendar with my friends and family. I eagerly await anything you publish.”
Why I Love this recipe
About the Ingredients 👩🍳
- Russet Potatoes: Peel and cube four large potatoes for the creamy mashed potato topping.
- Ground Beef or Turkey: Either works well for the hearty meat filling.
- Beefy Onion Soup Mix: Adds savory onion flavor to the meat.
- Butter: Makes the mashed potatoes rich and creamy.
- Mixed Vegetables: A 16-ounce bag adds color and flavor. Frozen vegetables work well.
- Water: Helps cook everything in the Instant Pot.
- Sour Cream: Makes the mashed potatoes extra creamy.
- Milk: Helps create a smooth mashed potato topping.
- Brown Gravy Mix: Thickens and flavors the meat filling.
- Cheddar Cheese: Adds a delicious cheesy topping.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Instant Pot Shepherd’s Pie 👩🍳
- Brown the Meat: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté. Add the ground beef and beefy onion soup mix. Cook until the meat is browned and crumbled.
- Add the Vegetables: Pour in the water and mixed vegetables. Stir to combine.
- Add the Potatoes: Place the cubed potatoes in a steamer basket above the meat and vegetables.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Cook on Manual High Pressure for 15 minutes.
- Release Pressure: Carefully perform a quick pressure release and remove the lid.
- Mash the Potatoes: Remove the steamer basket and transfer the potatoes to a bowl. Add the butter and milk, then mash until smooth and creamy.
- Make the Gravy: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté. Stir the brown gravy mix into the meat and vegetables, cooking until thickened.
- Add Sour Cream: Stir the sour cream into the meat mixture until combined.
- Assemble: Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture to an oven-safe baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top.
- Add Cheese and Broil: Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and broil for about 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
Tips I Found Helpful
- Use a Steamer Basket: Keep the potatoes above the meat and vegetables so they’re easy to remove for mashing.
- Cut Potatoes Evenly: Cube the potatoes into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- Drain Excess Grease: If using ground beef, drain any extra grease before adding the water and vegetables.
- Creamy Potatoes: Mash the potatoes with butter and milk until smooth before spreading them over the filling.
- Watch the Broiler: The cheddar melts quickly, so keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
How Do I Store Leftover Instant Pot Shepherd’s Pie?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.
Can I Freeze It? Yes! Let the shepherd’s pie cool completely, then freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Instant Pot Recipes I Love
Instant Pot Shepherd's Pie
Instant Pot Shepherd's Pie is a hearty comfort food dinner with seasoned ground beef, vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, and melted cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1½ pounds ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 packet beefy onion soup mix
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 (16-ounce) bag mixed vegetables
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté. Add the ground beef or turkey and beefy onion soup mix. Cook until the meat is browned and crumbled, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Pour in the water and mixed vegetables. Stir to combine.
- Place the cubed potatoes in a steamer basket above the meat and vegetables.
- Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Cook on Manual High Pressure for 15 minutes.
- Carefully perform a quick pressure release when cooking is complete.
- Remove the steamer basket and transfer the potatoes to a separate bowl. Add the butter and milk, then mash until smooth and creamy.
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté. Stir the brown gravy mix into the meat and vegetables until the gravy thickens.
- Stir in the sour cream until combined.
- Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture to an oven-safe baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Broil for about 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
Notes
- Use a steamer basket to keep the potatoes separate from the meat filling.
- The broiling step melts the cheese and adds a lightly golden topping.
- Cooking time does not include the time needed for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 624Total Fat: 38gSaturated Fat: 15gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 174mgSodium: 591mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 5gSugar: 3gProtein: 38g
Thank you for this recipe! It was so much easier than the way I’ve made shepherd’s pie in the past. I felt like the veggies got over cooked, so I’ll probably add them in after pressure cooking next time.
Do you use frozen or canned veggies when you make this?
frozen
What size baking dish 8×8 or 9×13?
I have tried three of your recipes this week for the instant pot. These are amazing. Gen Tso Chicken tonight was a huge hit. I clearly must double this recipe next time. I have shared your 30 day calendar with my friends and family. I eagerly await anything you publish.
I have bulk containers of gravy mix. How much mix by volume (teaspoons) is in a gravy packet?
Hi. Thanks for this recipe! Just a note; It’s shepherd’s pie.
Where is the gravy mix put? In the meat mixture of potato mixture?
Never mind. I hadn’t watched the video.
Thanks for your recipe it was delicious!!
So the sour cream goes into the instant pot mix, and not into the mashed potatoes makes?
I made this tonight with a few changes:
– Used ground turkey.
– Added to the meat mixture: 1t thyme, 1t rosemary, 2t parsley, salt, pepper & 1/2 large sweet onion.
– Reduced amount of water used to 1.5C.
– Most notably, I left the meat mixture in the pot and topped with the mashed potatoes & cheese; put it on Air Fryer setting for 5min. I did this to prevent dirtying another dish and so I didn’t have to fire up the conventional oven.
Loved it! Will be making again!