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16 Sauces That Go Well With Shepherd’s Pie

Are you wondering what sauce goes well with shepherd’s pie?

You’re not alone.

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what sauce goes with shepherd's pie

We’ve all been there, done that.

It’s a classic dish that can be served hot or cold, and it works for dinner or as an appetizer.

But how do you dress it up?

The best sauces to go with shepherd’s pie are mostly tomato-based, as they pair well with the rich flavor of the meat. A good example is a classic Bolognese sauce, which is made from ground beef, tomatoes, and herbs.

If you’re looking for something lighter, try a yogurt chutney instead! It will add a refreshing touch of tanginess that complements the meaty filling of shepherd’s pie perfectly.

Still looking for options?

Then keep scrolling!

16 Sauces That Go Well With Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd's Pie

Here are 16 sauces that go well with shepherd’s pie:

1. Mushroom Sauce

Mushroom Sauce

Mushrooms are a natural fit for shepherds pie because they go so well with the meat and potatoes of the dish.

This sauce helps bring out those flavors even more, especially if you top your pie with them.

It also adds some earthiness to an otherwise heavy dish that can be quite satisfying after a day of work or play.

2. BBQ Sauce

BBQ Sauce

If you like bbq sauce, then you’ll love it on top of shepherd’s pie!

The sweet, smoky taste of bbq makes this already hearty dish even heartier—and your taste buds will be thanking you for it every time they get a bite.

Just make sure to add it at the end so the sauce doesn’t get too soaked into the potatoes—or try substituting half of the regular chili powder for smoked paprika instead!

3. Tomato Sauce

Tomato Sauce

This is one of our favorites because it adds a lot of flavor while still allowing the meat and potatoes to shine through.

Plus, tomato sauce is easy to make!

Just heat some olive oil in a pot over medium heat, add some minced garlic and onions, then toss in your favorite tomato paste until everything is coated evenly—and voilà!

You’ve got an amazing base for your shepherd’s pie.

4. Cheese Sauce

Cheese Sauce

Cheese sauce is also a great option if you want something creamy and flavorful on top of your shepherd’s pie.

It can be made with any type of cheese that melts well (read: not cheddar) and mixed with milk or cream before being poured over the dish at serving time.

The key here is texture: if you want something smooth and creamy, use whole milk; if you want something thicker and chunkier (like nacho cheese), go with 2% instead!

5. Dijon Mustard Sauce

Dijon Mustard Sauce

Dijon mustard is great because it already has a lot of flavor built into it—so when you add it to a dish like shepherd’s pie, the flavor doesn’t get lost in all the other ingredients!

It also works well with chicken and pork dishes like this one too!

6. Honey Mustard Sauce

Honey Mustard Sauce
Source: https://pinchofyum.com

Honey mustard is delicious on all kinds of things—steak, chicken, turkey burgers and even tacos!

But the best way to use it is on top of shepherd’s pie.

The sweetness from the honey pairs perfectly with the savory flavor of ground beef, potatoes and cheese.

The best part about using honey mustard sauce with your shepherd’s pie is that it’s super easy to make at home!

7. Onion Gravy

Onion Gravy
Source: https://www.daringgourmet.com

Onion gravy is another great topping for your shepherd’s pie.

It adds another layer of flavor to this already flavorful dish by adding some sweetness and depth to the mix.

Plus, making onion gravy at home is super easy!

Just saute some onions in oil until they’re nice and browned on both sides then add some flour until they form a paste before adding water or broth until you get a smooth consistency like gravy should be.

8. Red Wine Gravy

Red Wine Gravy

If you’re looking for a more traditional option, this is the one for you.

Red wine gravy is easy to make and goes well with any kind of meat (including lamb).

  1. To make red wine gravy, heat up some butter in a pan over medium heat and add some flour to create a roux (a mixture of flour and butter).
  2. Next, add your stock and cook until thickened.
  3. Then add your red wine and cook until reduced by half—the result will be smooth, rich, and delicious!

9. Aioli Sauce

Aioli

This sauce is made with mayonnaise, garlic powder (or fresh garlic), mustard and lemon juice—so simple but so delicious!

Just mix all the ingredients together until they’re smooth then spread on top of your shepherd’s pie before baking or serving cold after baking!

10. Sour Cream Sauce

Sour Cream Sauce
Source: acouplecooks.com

Sour cream sauce is a great way to add some extra texture to your pie without changing the flavor profile too much.

It also helps cut through some of the richness of this dish.

If you’re looking for something lighter and fresher, sour cream is a good option.

Just make sure to mix in some herbs and spices so you don’t end up with plain-tasting potatoes and meat!

11. Blue Cheese Sauce

Blue Cheese Sauce
Source: bbcgoodfood.com

Blue cheese sauce is another simple way to dress up your shepherd’s pie without adding too many other flavors that might overwhelm the dish.

If you don’t have any blue cheese on hand but think this sounds like something worth trying out, try adding some crumbled blue cheese into the sour cream sauce instead!

That will give it a more distinctive flavor without changing its character too much from what we’ve already established above.

12. Mornay Sauce

Mornay Sauce
Source: thespruceeats.com

Mornay sauce is made by adding cheese to béchamel sauce, which is made by slowly cooking butter and flour together.

Add some milk and whisk until smooth—you’re on your way to a creamy, delicious sauce that will make your shepherd’s pie taste even better!

13. Béchamel Sauce

Béchamel sauce

Béchamel Sauce is also used as a topping for meat pies like shepherd’s pie.

Béchamel sauce is made by slowly heating milk with butter until thickened.

The resulting mixture has a smooth texture and rich flavor that pairs well with savory dishes like shepherd’s pie.

14. Curry Sauce

Curry sauce

This Indian-inspired sauce adds a pop of color and heat to this dish.

It’s also easy to make: just add 2 tablespoons of curry powder to a cup of yogurt, then stir in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of water until smooth.

Pour over the top of your shepherd’s pie for a spicy kick!

15. Creamy Horseradish Sauce

Horseradish

This sauce is perfect for those who like their food on the zesty side—it’s got a punchy kick without being overpowering!

  1. Just mix together 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon horseradish (or more if you like it really spicy), 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, salt and pepper until smooth.
  2. Then pour over your shepherd’s pie for an extra boost of flavor!

16. Brown Sauce

Brown Sauce

Brown sauce is a great way to add a little more flavor to your dish—it’s usually made from beef stock, onion and herbs such as parsley and thyme.

It’s not too spicy, but it will give your meal some depth without overpowering the other ingredients in the dish.

Red Wine Gravy

16 Sauces That Go Well With Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd's pie is a classic for a reason. It's delicious, and it's easy to make—but there's also a lot of room for error when you're picking the right sauce to go with it.
So, how do you know what to pick?
Well, we've got some tips!
First, consider what kind of shepherd's pie you're making. Is it going to be more of an entrée? Or is it going to be more of a side dish? If you're using it as an entrée, then something like mushroom sauce might be perfect for you!
But if you're using it as a side dish, then something lighter might work better. If you want something that will complement the potato-y flavor but not overpower it, go with a tomato-based sauce like marinara or even ketchup.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 347 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Mushroom Sauce
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Cheese Sauce
  • Dijon Mustard Sauce
  • Honey Mustard Sauce
  • Onion Gravy
  • Red Wine Gravy
  • Aioli Sauce
  • Sour Cream Sauce
  • Blue Cheese Sauce
  • Mornay Sauce
  • Béchamel Sauce
  • Curry Sauce
  • Creamy Horseradish Sauce
  • Brown Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Pick your favorite sauce from this list to serve with your pie.
  • Prepare the rest of your meal.
  • Be ready to munch in no time!
Keyword what sauce goes with shepherd’s pie
jenny happy muncher
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Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.