Our Best Cottage Pie Recipes

Skillet Shepherd's Pie

This is the best shepherd's pie recipe I've ever tasted. It's very quick to make, and I usually have most—if not all—of the ingredients already on hand. —Tirzah Sandt, San Diego, California

Barbecue Shepherd's Pie

Have a wholesome meal even on hectic nights. I like to add leftover veggies, like green beans, sweet potatoes or corn, and zip it up with chipotle powder. —Angela Buchanan, Longmont, Colorado

Pork Shepherd's Pie

Of all the shepherd's pie recipes I've tried through the years, this version is my favorite. Although I live alone, I enjoy cooking and baking for friends and family. —Mary Arthurs, Etobicoke, Ontario

Mini Shepherd's Pies

I’m as confident serving these little pies to company as to family. If I have enough time, I’ll use homemade biscuits and mashed potatoes. —Ellen Osborne, Clarksville, Tennessee

Butternut Squash, Cauliflower & Beef Shepherd's Pie

I love to get creative with classic dishes, such as this colorful version of shepherd's pie. Adding squash and cauliflower boosts the nutritional value and cuts the calories. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Southwest-Style Shepherd's Pie

I was born in Montreal and lived in New England and the Southwest, so I’ve merged these influences into recipes like this shepherd’s pie with turkey, corn and green chiles. —Lynn Price, Millville, Massachusetts

Slow-Cooked Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's pie is to the British as meat loaf is to Americans, so when I was a young child living in the U.K., I had it almost once a week. This is my go-to recipe when I'm longing for the sights and smells of my mother's kitchen. Turns out people here love it just as much! —Mari Sitkiewicz, Downers Grove, Illinois

Two-Potato Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's pie has another name, cottage pie, and mashed potatoes have another alternative - sweet potatoes. Whatever you call it, there's enough in the recipe to bake one casserole and freeze the other for up to three months. Did we mention Cumberland pie is a cousin, but with bread crumbs on top? —Marcie Brooks-Smith, Fort Collins, Colorado

Speedy Shepherd's Pie

Turn mashed potatoes and a few pantry staples into cozy comfort food. This recipe is really flexible, so if you have extra veggies on hand, stir them into the beef mixture for even more goodness. —Sharon Tipton, Winter Garden, Florida

West Virginia Shepherd's Pie

Mashed parsnips and potatoes spread over a savory mixture of lamb and fresh herbs make this dish extra special. The recipe comes from the Scotch-Irish who put down roots in this area long ago. —Tina Price, Deep Water, West Virginia

Spicy Shepherd's Pie

Taco seasoning adds zip to this hearty main dish. It's easy to top with instant mashed potatoes, which I stir up while browning the beef. —Mary Malchow, Neenah, Wisconsin

Sausage Florentine Shepherd’s Pie

In this Italian take on traditional shepherd’s pie, sausage takes the place of ground beef (or lamb), and spinach replaces the green veggies. Zesty tomatoes, Italian cheese blend and garlicky mashed potatoes make this dish incredibly long on flavor, even though the ingredient list is short. —Leah Lyon, Ada, Oklahoma

Shepherd's Pies

When you need a real meat-and-potatoes fix, try this hearty layered casserole that blends from-scratch mashed potatoes with cream cheese and a meat filling. Your favorite barbecue sauce gives the dish an extra tang. —Cindy Kliskey, Pepperell, Massachusetts