Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. When shimmering, add chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil
Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned all over, about 8-10 minutes, until juices run clear and the meat is fully cooked. Stir in diced carrots and cook for another 5 minutes until slightly tender.
1 lb ground beef, 1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic
Add frozen peas to the meat mixture and stir well. Season with salt and pepper, then cook for an additional 2 minutes until peas are heated through. Remove from heat and transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
1 cup diced peas, to taste salt and pepper
Spoon prepared mashed potatoes evenly over the meat filling, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Ensure the entire filling is covered to create a uniform layer for baking.
2 cups mashed potatoes
Place the assembled shepherd’s pie in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy around the edges, with bubbling edges indicating hot filling.
Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Serve hot, showing the layered filling beneath the crispy mashed potato top.
