Comforting Shepherd’s Pie Using Tomato Soup

If you ask me, comfort food doesn’t get much better than shepherd’s pie.

This cozy twist on the classic uses Campbell’s tomato soup to create a rich, savory sauce that seeps into every layer. Ground lamb (or beef, if you prefer) mingles with tender vegetables under a blanket of creamy mashed potatoes.

It’s the kind of dish that reminds me of those nights when Mom would make something special, turning simple ingredients into a meal that brought everyone to the table. The tomato soup adds a subtle sweetness that kids love, while keeping all the homey goodness adults expect.

It’s a no-fuss family dinner that’s perfect for chilly evenings, and even better as leftovers the next day.

What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For a classic shepherd’s pie, you’ll want to think about the fat content of your ground beef. An 80/20 blend (that’s 80% lean meat to 20% fat) is ideal for this dish since it provides enough fat to keep the meat juicy and flavorful, but not so much that your pie becomes greasy. If you prefer leaner meat, 85/15 will work too, though you might notice slightly less richness in the final dish. When you’re at the store, look for beef that’s bright red in color and feels firm to the touch. If you’re buying ahead of time, ground beef will keep in the fridge for 1-2 days, or you can freeze it for up to 3 months – just be sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator before cooking.

Options for Substitutions

This simple shepherd’s pie recipe is pretty forgiving and works well with several substitutions:

• Ground beef: You can easily swap ground beef with ground turkey, lamb (which would make it a traditional shepherd’s pie), or even plant-based meat alternatives. Just note that turkey might need extra seasoning since it’s less flavorful than beef.
• Tomato soup: If you’re out of tomato soup, try using 1 can of crushed tomatoes mixed with 1/2 cup of beef broth and 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. You could also use cream of mushroom or cream of tomato soup for a different twist.
• Green beans: Feel free to switch up the vegetables – frozen peas, corn, carrots, or mixed vegetables all work great here. Fresh or frozen vegetables can replace canned ones – just cook them until tender first.
• Mashed potatoes: While regular mashed potatoes are classic, you can try cauliflower mash for a low-carb option, or even sweet potato mash for a different flavor. If using instant mashed potatoes, that’s fine too!
• Creole seasoning: No creole seasoning? Use seasoned salt, or make your own blend with equal parts garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making Shepherd’s Pie with tomato soup is not draining the ground beef properly after browning, which can lead to a greasy, soupy filling that won’t hold together when served. Another common error is adding too much liquid – while the tomato soup provides great flavor, make sure to drain those green beans thoroughly, or your filling will become runny and affect the overall texture of the dish. The mashed potato topping can make or break your pie – avoid spreading cold potatoes on top of the hot filling, as they’ll be difficult to spread evenly; instead, work with warm potatoes and use a fork to create small peaks on the surface, which will brown beautifully in the oven. For the best results, let your Shepherd’s Pie rest for 10-15 minutes after baking, allowing the filling to set and making it much easier to portion and serve without falling apart.

What to Serve With Shepherd’s Pie?

This hearty shepherd’s pie is basically a complete meal in itself, but a few simple sides can make it even better! A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette helps balance out the richness of the meat and potatoes – I like to toss in some cucumber and cherry tomatoes for extra freshness. For veggie lovers, some steamed broccoli or roasted carrots make great companions to this comfort food classic. If you’re feeding a hungry crowd, warm dinner rolls or crusty bread on the side are perfect for soaking up any extra sauce from the pie.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This cozy shepherd’s pie will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days when covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. The flavors actually get better after a day or two as everything melds together!

Freeze: Good news – shepherd’s pie is perfect for freezing! Let it cool completely, then cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. You can freeze it whole or portion it into individual servings for easy weeknight dinners.

Reheat: To warm up your shepherd’s pie, pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 30-35 minutes if thawed, or 45-50 minutes if frozen. Cover with foil while reheating to keep the potatoes from drying out. For single servings, the microwave works great – just heat in 1-minute intervals until it’s heated through.

Make Ahead: You can assemble this pie a day ahead and keep it in the fridge before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if you’re cooking it straight from the fridge.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	20-25 minutes
Total Time	30-40 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1600-1800
• Protein: 80-90 g
• Fat: 80-90 g
• Carbohydrates: 180-200 g

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• Salt and pepper (season to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon creole seasoning (or seasoned salt)
• 1 can tomato soup (20 ounces, undiluted)
• 1 can green beans (14 ounces)
• 4 cups prepared mashed potatoes

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Butter a 9×9 or 9×13 baking dish generously to prevent sticking.

Set the prepared dish aside.

Step 2: Cook the Meat Mixture

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the hamburger along with the onions until the meat is browned and the onions are softened.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Next, stir in the creole seasoning, tomato soup, and green beans.

Cook this mixture over medium heat for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 3: Assemble the Casserole

Pour the cooked soup mixture into the prepared baking dish evenly.

Use a spatula to spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the soup mixture, creating a smooth layer.

For added richness, sprinkle shredded cheese over the mashed potatoes, if desired.

Step 4: Bake Until Bubbly

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.

Bake the casserole for 15 minutes, uncovered, or until the dish is bubbly and the cheese (if used) is melted and slightly golden.

Step 5: Serve

Once baked to perfection, remove the casserole from the oven.

Allow it to cool slightly before serving, then enjoy this hearty and comforting meal!