Italian Shepherd's Pie

Comfort food takes an Italian twist with this hearty and flavorful Italian Shepherd’s Pie! This dish combines a rich, savory meat filling made with ground beef, Italian sausage, and aromatic vegetables, all simmered in a tomato-infused sauce enhanced by dried herbs and optional red wine. Topped with ultra-creamy mashed Yukon Gold potatoes blended with Parmesan cheese, and finished with a layer of bubbly, golden mozzarella, this comforting casserole is baked to perfection. Perfect for feeding a crowd, this recipe offers the best of Italian and classic comfort flavors in every bite. Ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, it’s an irresistible way to enjoy a globally inspired family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 14 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.25 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 0.5 cup whole milk
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

Step 4

Stir in the diced onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, optional red wine, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a simmer and let cook for 10–15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Set aside.

Step 7

Meanwhile, in a large pot, boil the cubed potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.

Step 8

Add butter, milk, and Parmesan cheese to the potatoes. Mash until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 9

In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread the meat mixture evenly along the bottom.

Step 10

Top the meat layer with the mashed potatoes, spreading them out evenly to cover completely.

Step 11

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the mashed potatoes.

Step 12

Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 13

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2689.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3646.7

Total Fat 221.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 89.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14.0g
Cholesterol 665.1mg	0%
Sodium 7209.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 224.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.8g	0%
Total Sugars 46.7g
Protein 205.3g	0%

Vitamin D 144.4IU	0%
Calcium 2258.4mg	0%
Iron 24.0mg	0%
Potassium 8185.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.7%

Protein: 22.1%

Carbs: 24.2%