My dad showed me how to make this type of pie and he calls it shepards pie. I didnt know about the sugar but i'll try it when I make it again. I put hamburger, onion, corn, green beans, peas, poatoes and top it with cheese. My 3 boys and husband eat it like its going out of style, they love it. So I just wanted to share this comment with u all.

Hey Vanessa, I just made one exactly like yours, and I was looking to see if I could find someone who makes it like me and yours is the closest, only difference is I add cream of mushroom to my potatoes for added flavor and I use cheddar and pepperjack cheeses, other than that we do it exactly the same, so thanks for letting me know I wasn't alone, take care, and Neil just so you know, "there is no wrong way to make Shepherd's pie", as long as you have beef, veggies (peas at least), and mashed potatoes (with or with out the cheese), its a Shepherd's pie!!! And is enjoyed by all who make it.

Okay, Okay, I seriously was just looking for a hambugar and mashed potatoe receipt and then I got gobbled up into a big mess of reading every comment put on this. I think it to be amusing. Here we are just looking for a great new way to make dinner and we find ourselves arguing over who has the BEST receipt. I would have to agree with Neil, even though I'm American myself. It's just that I know I love cheese and I do put it on "anything that moves". I'm not afraid to admitt...I go a little over board when it comes to cheese!!! This may not be the authentic way to make Shepheard's Pie but who cares! It's fun and thats just LIFE! So have fun EVERYONE. Im gonna go search for the hambuger receipt that involves a WHOLE lot of cheese!

Thank you, Vanessa. This helps a lot - recipe is perfect. Wm

"Poor Man's Pie" is def. the perfect name for this recipe in my case, HA! Right now I'm low on groceries but have tons of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese. I'm not a big fan of meat loaf (i know some variations call for the left overs) so this was perfect. The only veggies i had around were fresh carrots so i cut them up small and added them to the ground beef and onion as the recipe calls for.. Delicous!! I'm thinking about using velveta cheese next time though. Thank you, for making such a filling scrumpious yet simple recipe!

My mother used to make shepherds pie all the time (one similar to this) and I was never a big fan. My husband was looking for a recipe that was similar to his grandmothers and this is it. Tonight I will make this recipe and for the first time I will actually enjoy it!! I will add all the cheese my little heart desires and sit down to watch the best American show ever... The office.. Something else the brits cooked up that we made even better.... Neil, dont be so snobby...

I make shepherd's pie the same way as Vanessa. If we have a roast the day before and its not all eaten I chop it in the blender and use it as the meat in the pie. And yes sometimes I cheat, and use the instant potato mix. All my kids love it. I will have to try it with the cheeze, for a change...it sounds good.

I just want you to know that I adapted this recipe for a daycare center that I used to cook for. The kids there, including my own, absolutely loved it and couldn't wait until I would make it again. The other staff also really enjoyed eating it as well.
Who cares if it isn't "traditional" British. I think it is great! Thanks for posting it!!

ok, so Vanessa's recipe is not a true "sheppards Pie", as the Brit's say. But, it is the exact recipe I was looking for, and can't wait to make it. My kids will love it, as will I. And, Lamb, no way will any of us eat it, kids or adults....Vanessa, if you have any more quick, casserole type dishes to prepare that are kid friendly please post. My kids love it casserole style.

I am stunned by the tone of Neil's comment. My stepmother, who is English, makes shepherds pie with hamburger all the time and we all enjoy it. We have also have the "British" version made with lamb and enjoyed that, too.

I think it would have been nice if Neil could have been more inclusive and simply added that he had a more traditional version of shepherds pie that uses lamb.

I have been making a version of this recipe for over 35 years. Don't care what it is called because all my boys called it was good (although we have always called it Shepherds pie - made with beef)!

I think I'm becoming a fan of Niel's! So much love for this simplistic recipe is a bit suspect. None of you could have thought this up without Vanessa? WOW.

Holla!! I love cheese - great recipe!

Hi Vanessa. I enjoy 'your' shepherds pie, but...my sweetheart loves it. I never even knew about lamb being an ingredient. I'm USA prime LOL. I've made this many times in the past, lost the recipe and was very happy to find yours. Only difference between my old way and your way is the peas and the corn. Better yet...and best yet says my sweetheart. He's 74 and knows delicious when he tastes it. Thank you very much. It couldn't be any quicker or easier to make and that adds to its wonderfulness :)

hey everyone... the most comical part to this whole conversation is it has lasted over 3 months.. unless of course it was from last year and i am just now finding it. LOL Thanks for all the different ideas, Happy Holidays!!