Growing up on a dairy farm with a working mom easy meals were our go to dinners! This slow cooker shepherd’s pie is a variation of my dad’s favorite dinner. We called it Dad’s Casserole for a majority of my childhood. Although we normally made this dish in the oven, I have found throwing it all in a slow cooker is a nice way to set it and forget it. Which if you haven’t noticed is one of my favorite things about slow cooker recipes!
Changing regular recipes into easy slow cooker or instant pot recipes has become one of my favorite things. With the time constraints of being a working mom, using a slow cooker or instant in the kitchen saves so much time and make life easier when it comes to meal preparation. Check out our slow cooker chicken and noodles and slow cooker mac and cheese for easy slow cooker recipes. Also check out our instant pot broccoli and cheese and cheese vegetable soup recipes for other ideas on good family friendly meals!
Preparation
Start with browning your ground beef. You can do this either on the stove or in the microwave in a steamable container. I prefer the microwave method to avoid the mess on my stove top. Then make the base layer of your slow cooker shepherd’s pie by combining the cream of chicken soup and green beans. Mix in your onion powder, garlic powder, seasoned salt, and pepper. Continue by setting this aside and starting to make your mashed potatoes next!
To make my mashed potatoes, I used 6 medium potatoes. Begin my boiling then and mashing them with the butter and milk. You can either use real mashed potatoes which I did this time or instant mashed potatoes depending on what you have on hand. Either will turn out fine in your casserole! I would suggest to use 8 servings of instant mashed potatoes if you choose to go this direction.
Now your ready to use your crock pot, I suggest using a medium sized crock pot similar to this one. I also prefer to have all my crock pots with locking lids so in case I do travel with them there is no worry of anything spilling in the vehicle!
Next, spray your crock pot with oil to prevent the casserole from sticking. Then begin the laying process by pouring in the beef mixture and topping with all the mashed potatoes. To finish with the preparation of your slow cooker shepherd’s pie, cover the mashed potatoes with the shredded cheese.
Cooking and Serving
Cook your easy slow cooker shepherd’s pie for 6 hours on low. You will see some of the cream of chicken soup boiling up along the sides when it is done and the cheese starting to turn slightly brown. Since this casserole includes the vegetables you can serve your shepherd’s pie with a side of fruit or rolls. This recipe also makes an easy meal prep recipe and the left overs are great for lunches the next day.
Variations of Shepherd’s Pie
You will see many variations of shepherd’s pie if you search the web. I have tried several variations of this recipe myself. You can substitute the cream of chicken for cream of mushroom if you enjoy the taste. Feel free to add in other vegetables along with the green beans, in the past I have added carrots, peas and corn.
Ingredients
1 lb Ground Beef, Browned
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
2 Cans Green Beans
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp pepper
6 Medium Russet Potatoes
1/4 Cup Butter
1 Cup Milk
1 Cup Shredded Colby Jack Cheese
Easy Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Microwave or Stove
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef Browned
- 1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
- 2 Can Green Beans
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Seasoned Salt
- ½ tsp Pepper
- 6 Medium Potatoes Or 8 servings of Instant Potatoes
- ¼ Cup Butter Or Instant Potatoes
- 1 Cup Milk Or Instant Potatoes
- 1 Cup Shredded Colby Jack Cheese
Instructions
- Start by browning hamburger either on the stove or in the microwave, then drain.
- In medium mixing bowl, combine browned hamburger, cream of chicken soup, green beans, onion powder, garlic powder, seasoned salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Make your mashed potatoes, either using russet potatoes, butter and milk as listed above or by following instant box mix instructions, If using instant potatoes make 8 servings.
- Grease your crock pot with oil. Then pour in your ground beef mixture. Top with your mashed potatoes. Even these out.
- Cover with shredded cheese.
- Cook on low for 6 hours. Serve warm.
Notes
