If that's even a word, I just love the way this Italian American Shepherds Pie taste, it's bursting with a delicious brown wine gravy and smothered in many kinds of cheeses.
I guess my spin is quite different than most, but it sure is delicious and the best in comfort foods.
When my son Curt was a little boy ( now a grown man with his own family) he made his own shepherds pie on his plate? How you ask?
Well on Italian meatloaf night he took a slice of meatloaf, topped it with mashed potatoes and mashed corn on top of it.
Psst, don't tell anyone, but almost 40 years later he still does this and I love the flood memories it gives me when I watch him.
Time marches on but foods stay pretty much the same no matter what you change.
Scroll down to see this delicious style of Shepherds Pie and give it a try, it's an easy all in one pan meal!
A Popular Meal
Originally from modern British English food that didn't appear until around 1854, their English version of this dish is referred to as cottage pie and made with a beef layer on the bottom.
If it has a meat layer made with lamb then it was called shepherd's pie because hence the lamb used and looked like a sheep!
There is even a pork shepherds pie with a ground pork layer used along with cooked rice, a layer of carrots and chopped cabbage, then mashed potatoes, pork gravy and cheddar cheese on top, all of these versions are delicious.
My point on all of the ways to build a shepherds pie can be adapted to whatever your family enjoys!
My version is pretty much the same toppings and the big difference are the additions to the meat layer are more like a meatball mix.
Any way you slice it, the pie is pure comfort food, easy to make all in one pan and always a big hit with my kids growing up.
Easy One Pan Meal
One of the best things about this pie is how fast and easy it is.
When I am working all day, this is great to come home too.
I prepare and layer it the night before and then just pop it in the oven to reheat.
Usually, there is leftover gravy I can heat up and just pour over the top.
The perfect solution to the busy hurried cooks out there and everyone enjoys no clean upright? Use disposable pans!
Thank me later, your welcome.
Leftovers
We usually use leftovers which will make the fastest mock shepherd's pie on the planet.
I have used leftover meatballs crushed and sausage as a layer in a pinch!
Leftover mashed potatoes, open up a can of corn, top with mozzarella and tomato sauce with peppers and it's even another version!
As I mentioned before this pie can be whatever you want to make it, adapt and make it an original of your own.
Also, psst, it's a great way to hide those vegetables the husband and kids don't like!
Cheeses
Depending on what your family likes anything goes.
We like a mozzarella and provolone shredded blend.
However, if you're using lamb or turkey, cheddars work best.
Ingredients You Will Need For Italian Shepherd's Pie
- ground hamburger, lamb or turkey or use leftover cooked chicken ground in the food processor
- tomato sauce
- red wine or Marsala
- chopped green bell peppers
- minced fresh garlic
- granulated garlic powder
- black pepper and salt to taste
- grated cheese
- egg
- Italian flavored bread crumbs
- Topping:
- Prepared Mashed Potatoes ( leftovers work great or store-bought)
- corn
- bottle of brown jar gravy or homemade with 2 tablespoons marsala wine
- granulated garlic
- shredded mixed blended cheeses or just use mozzarella with provolone shredded
- Optional Additions:
- minced hot cherry peppers or bell pepper
- sliced mushrooms
- peas
- zucchini
- spinach leaves
- any vegetables you like can be used
Additional Vegetable and Meat Suggestions:
- Chopped onions
- Shredded zucchini
- Shredded carrots
- Shredded cabbage
- Meats to use ground beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey
- Chicken gravy, beef gravy, pork gravy
- Chopped peppers hot or sweet any kinds
- Sliced mushrooms
- Peas
- Corn
More Recipes to Try:
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Butter Spreads
Broccoli Rabe
Artichokes
Eggplant Parmigiana
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Strolling Down Memory Lane
This recipe always brings me down memory lane with my son, I make this often now with he visits and time sure flys.
This Shepherd's Pie is one comfort food that stayed a favorite through the last 4 decades and I will always smile when thinking back to all the fun times watching the kids eat those hidden vegetables.
The one great thing about food and recipes, they remain alive even long after we're gone.
I hope everyone reading enjoys my version of Italian Shepherd's Pie, it sure has satisfied my family through the years.

Italian Style Shepherd's Pie
Yield: 6
prep time: 15 Mcook time: 25 Mtotal time: 40 M
This is a shepherds pie with an Italian spin on it like everything I make, somewhere in there it's Italian! It's loaded with meat, potatoes and the perfect all in one pan meal and comfort food.
ingredients:
- MEAT MIXTURE
- 1/2 pound ground hamburger, lamb or turkey or use leftover cooked chicken ground in the food processor
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 2 tablespoons chopped green bell peppers
- 3 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce
- black pepper and salt to taste
- 1/4 cup grated cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 Italian flavored bread crumbs
- Topping:
- 2 cups Prepared Mashed Potatoes ( leftovers work great or store-bought)
- 1 can corn
- 1 cup of a bottle of brown jar gravy or homemade with 2 tablespoons marsala wine
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 2 cups shredded mixed blended cheeses or just use mozzarella with provolone shredded
- Optional Additions:
- 2 tablespoons minced hot cherry peppers or bell pepper
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- peas instead of corn
- chopped zucchini
- spinach leaves
- any vegetables you like can be used
instructions:
How to cook Italian Style Shepherd's Pie
- Mix the meat mixture together, then line a greased deep dish casserole or pie plate ( must be around 3 inches high), also add the peppers on top of the meat if using.
- I bake the meat for 10 to 15 minutes on 350 degrees preheated oven. until the pink of the meat is gone. Drain the fat off.
- Fill first with prepared mashed potatoes, top with the brown gravy mixed with wine and garlic, sprinkle with grated cheese around 2 tablespoons.
- Top with corn then more cheese and bake at 350 until the cheese melts and the heated through around 25 minutes..
- Note: if using other vegetables add on top of the potato layer.
- Also, we use peppers on top of the layer of meat while it's cooking for flavor and remove them after the meat is cooked and drain. The kids never like peppers!
Calories
370
370
Fat (grams)
22
22
Sat. Fat (grams)
12
12
Carbs (grams)
11
11
Net carbs
9
9
Sugar (grams)
6
6
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Don't Forget to Try Some Other of Our Favorite Recipes:
Meatballs
Sauce Steak
Italian Stuffed Meatloaf
Provolone alfredo burger
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2011. It was edited and re-published in 2019.
OUCH! So sorry to hear. Glad to know all will be OK again. Your meat pie does fit the need, comfort food is always a blessing. Good thoughts coming your way, take care.
ReplyDeletePie looks delicious... and I am so sorry to hear that your husband was laid off. I was laid off myself (and am on unemployment now). But keep your chin up. Things will get better. And anytime you are worried, just say what my father always told me: "The Good Lord Provides." It works! Give my regards to your husband and let him know that I am in the same boat. Misery loves company! ;)
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Best,
Gloria
That is some pie! Never seen an Italiano one..but hey we have lots of shepherds in Italy..we deserve a pie!
ReplyDeletewow.. it's mouthwatering post Claudia.. Yummy picture too!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of your husband's job. I really hope he can get another job very soon. Yes, times is so uncertain and challenging with his bad economy. There are lots of job cuts here in UK, too. Please stay strong. You have a loving family and that's most important. Love your shepherd's pie. I need to cook it one of these days. Please take care. MaryMoh at http://www.keeplearningkeepsmiling.com
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your husband - I can't imagine having to live through that. I love shepherds pie and it's always on my radar when leftover mashed potatoes are around. You version looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your husband's job. Hopefully, he will find something soon. This pie is definitely a picker-upper. Every obstacle is an opportunity, right? Sending good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteBummer about your husband's job! You're right about "when the going gets tough...." Cooking has always been my therapy. Just had shepherd's pie and you've given me food for thought (yes, I love puns)about a variation on your Italian-style pie.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's not so very italian, but you sure deserve it! I like the way you react, and you got me laughing with the sentence "when times get tough, the tough get cooking". I hope everything fixes for the better in no time...
ReplyDeleteThe shepherd's pie looks totally comforting and delicious! And I love it with lots of garlic.
ReplyDeleteJust saw your lovely guest blog post about baked chicken, that and this recipe look so hearty and delicious, can't wait to try them out!
ReplyDeleteim so sorry to hear about your husband's situation. hope things would work out for you and your family. i know how hard things can get in times like this. i am sending you lots of love and good wishes.
ReplyDeleteWow, you have an incredible outlook after such news. Many good wishes to you and your husband during this time. I think we all could use a bit of brightness in this country.
ReplyDeleteYour Shepherds pie is a delicious adaptation of the original. In fact, I would take your version any day!
Oh wowwww...This is something different and just sounds and looks amazingly delicious!!! I love this!!!
ReplyDeleteMy boys lova lova shepherds pie, cant wait to spring this one on them. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that Claudia! You have such a positive attitude about it - that counts for a lot. Your shepherds pie looks incredibly good and super comforting - love your Italian twist.
ReplyDeleteClaudia,
ReplyDeleteThis is one kicked up Shepherds Pie! Love the mushrooms, corn, and zucchini in this one!
Hope your husband finds work soon. You know when one door closes, another one opens!
Thanks again for such a wonderful guest blog post, really done great!
Bon appetit!
CCR
=:~)
Your pie is fantastic! Sorry again about the work situation, but I think that sometimes endings just open new doors...enjoy a bit of time together as I know you will :)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Aw man, so sorry to hear about this bump in your road. Comfort food always helps. This looks fabulous, a great pick me up on a tough day. Best of luck, my thoughts are with you guys.
ReplyDeleteThe pie looks gorgeous and just the right meal for my weekend dinner.
ReplyDeleteLite Bite
I love how you Italianized this!! Great post, Claudia, and a wonderful recipe, as always!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that your hubby was laid off - times are tough for many. My husband was laid off last year just when I had our first baby ... it was so tough but we got through it. Life has a funny way of working itself out.
Italian Style Shepherds Pie is a wonderful idea. I made Tuna Shepherds Pie this week. Proof that there is no end to the possiblities for Shepherds Pie :)
ReplyDeleteStay hopeful. And keep on making amazing dishes. I love the idea of Italian shepherds pie. Yummy!
ReplyDeleteOh my....definitely a time for comfort food and this looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about Captain Nemo - I really do hope and believe something better will come along. In the meantime enjoy some quality time together ... so glad you still have an awesome spirit and cook comforting things for everyone. Hugs!
ReplyDeletethis looks better than my mom's, but don't tell her that ;)
ReplyDeleteClaudia, first and foremost I want you to know that your husband, you and your family are in my prayers during this time of un-due stress. This recession has hurt most of us. I hope relief comes soon!
ReplyDeleteNow about this incredible recipe. I had never thought of making a sheperd's pie with an Italian flair, but I know with you as the chef, it has to be awesome!
Blessings to all of you, Claudia,
Roz
This is a nerve-wracking economy. So will be keeping you close in my thoughts. Glad you will be okay, but still - so hard. Our family has many instances of these hard times. Comfort food is definitely welcome and one of its joys - is it's usually not expensive! I love how you "Italianied" Shepherd's Pie. I turn things Italian all the time and Shepherd's Pie is the perfect dish to play with - and you played with it beautifully. I shall follow suit.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your husband losing his job. Hope and pray that he'll be able to recover soon! Thank you for posting this delicious recipe! I'm dying to make it asap!
ReplyDelete