Slow Cooker Shepard’s Pie Soup

All the comforting flavors of traditional Shepard’s Pie, but in an easy, slow cooker version! This absolutely delicious creamy, cheesy, and filling dinner is made for busy nights when you want a hearty meal without a lot of work.

Shepard’s Pie Soup

I have made Shepard’s Pie many of times, I even have a recipe for it here. But it’s soup season around here and I really wanted to turn it into a soup that I could just throw in the slow cooker, set it and forget it. The best part of this recipe is that it turns really simple pantry ingredients into a robust, flavorful and hearty soup! Honestly, I’m pretty dang proud of this recipe because my family raved about it and devoured it completely.

The Cowboys’ Rating: 9/10

Every time I make a new recipe, I have my family rate the recipe out of 10. By the time, these recipes make the blog, they’ve been tried and tested by some of my hardest tiny critics!

Helpful Ingredient Tips

• Ground Beef – I use our delicious grass-finished beef that we raise. (You can find that here.) It’s incredibly nutrient dense and so flavorful. Our ground beef is a lean blend of 90/10. You can use any type of ground beef that you would like.
• Chicken Broth – Rather than using water, I like to use broth in my soup recipes to add some yummy flavor to the base of the soup.
• Potatoes – I used russet potatoes for this recipe because it was what I had on hand. I do think that red potatoes or golden potatoes would also be really good in this recipe.
• Carrots
• Green Beans – Grab a can of cut green beans, drain them, and add them in!
• Corn
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese – I always, always buy cheese in the bricks and shred it by hand. Pre-shredded cheese has a waxy substance on it to prevent it from caking while in the package. It makes it harder for it to melt in dishes, so if you have some time, hand shred some cheese.
• Heavy Whipping Cream – I use heavy whipping cream in so many of my recipes. It adds a creaminess to your soup while also enhancing the flavors.

Seasonings

• Onion Powder
• Garlic Powder
• Dry Mustard
• Italian Seasoning
• Kosher Salt
• Pepper
• Worcestershire Sauce

Tools You’ll Need

• Slow Cooker
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Can Opener
• Cheese Shredder
• Liquid Measuring Cup

Slow Cooker Shepard’s Pie Soup Recipe

1. In a large skillet, combine the ground beef and seasonings. Cook over medium heat, breaking the beef apart as it cooks, until fully cooked through. Remove from the heat and transfer the ground beef to the slow cooker.
2. Drain the green beans and corn, then add them to the slow cooker.
3. Peel the potatoes and cut them into small, bite-sized pieces. Add them to the slow cooker.
4. Peel and slice the carrots, then add them to the slow cooker.
5. Pour in the broth and stir everything together.
6. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
7. After 4-6 hours, remove the lid and add the heavy whipping cream and shredded cheese.
8. Stir everything together until the cheese is melted and the ingredients are well combined.
9. Serve warm and enjoy!

Gluten Free Slow Cooker Shepard’s Pie Soup

This slow cooker Shepard’s Pie is gluten free! I do, however, always caution to make sure that the ingredients that YOU are using are indeed gluten free.

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Allow the soup to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to develop as it sits, making leftovers even better the next day.

Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Add a splash of broth or milk if the soup has thickened.

How to Make Slow Cooker Shepard’s Pie as a Freezer Meal

This recipe makes a great freezer meal and is perfect for busy nights when you need dinner with very little prep. You can prepare everything ahead of time, freeze it, and have a hearty, comforting meal ready to go when you need it. Just thaw it overnight, add it to the slow cooker, and finish it with the cream and cheese before serving. For more freezer meal tips and tricks, including how to prep, label, freeze, thaw, and reheat your meals, check out my full freezer meal guide here.

Freezer directions

1. Cook the ground beef with the seasonings in a large skillet until fully cooked. Allow the beef to cool slightly.
2. Add the cooked ground beef, drained green beans and corn, potatoes, carrots, and broth to a large freezer-safe bag or container.
3. Remove as much air as possible, seal tightly, and label with the recipe name and cooking instructions. Freeze for up to 3 months.
4. When you’re ready to cook, thaw the freezer meal in the refrigerator overnight.
5. Transfer the thawed mixture to your slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
6. Once the vegetables are tender, add the heavy whipping cream and shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and everything is creamy and well combined.
7. Serve warm and enjoy!