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I made Ina Garten’s shepherd’s pie. The cozy, affordable recipe is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.

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Updated

  • I tried Ina Garten’s easy shepherd’s pie recipe.
  • The meal took less than an hour to prepare.
  • The pie’s filling was flavorful and savory, while the mashed potatoes were perfectly creamy.

I’m an Irish-American, but I didn’t grow up eating shepherd’s pie.

This traditional Irish dish has its origins in the late 1700s, when rural women made it using ingredients from their Sunday roast dinners to repurpose leftovers, Britannica reported.

However, shepherd’s pie has become a favorite in the US, as well. While Irish versions typically use lamb, many American versions of the recipe use ground beef or turkey instead, and celebrity chefs like Ina Garten have published their own unique spins on the dish, perfect for weeknight meals. 

Garten is one of the most beloved celebrity chefs — with a reported net worth in the millions, 13 cookbooks under her belt, and a devoted fan following — so her shepherd’s pie seemed a good place for me to start.

Her recipe, reposted by the recipe blog Half-Scratched, calls for ingredients such as carrots, celery, white button mushrooms, ground turkey, and homemade mashed potatoes.

Here’s how to make Ina Garten’s shepherd’s pie.

I started by peeling my Yukon gold potatoes.

Peeled potatoes.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

A bag of potatoes typically weighs around 5 pounds, but the recipe only called for 3 pounds of potatoes. In the end, I found that this was the perfect amount to fully cover the pie.

I then chopped the potatoes into 1-inch cubes and placed them in a pot with water.


peeled and chopped russet potatoes

Peeled and chopped potatoes.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I simmered the potatoes until they were tender. This took about 20 minutes.

I used a time-saving hack to prepare my vegetables.


chopped vegetables in a small bowl

Chopped vegetables.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The recipe called for finely diced carrots, celery, and white button mushrooms. I decided to use a food processor to easily chop my vegetables. I liked the end result and found this was the simplest way to prepare all the vegetables in seconds.

I also hand-chopped some mushrooms to add more texture.


chopped vegetables in a small bowl

Mushrooms.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After my vegetables were chopped, I set them aside in a small bowl and turned my attention toward cooking the meat.

The recipe calls for 1 1/2 pounds of ground turkey meat, but you can get creative if you don’t want to use turkey.


cooked ground turkey meat in a large saute pan

Cooked ground turkey meat.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

You can use practically any kind of ground meat you would like, or even plant-based ground meat if you’re vegetarian. I ended up liking the choice of ground turkey since it made the very stick-to-your-bones meal a little bit lighter than if I had used meat with higher fat content.

I ended up using a package and a half of ground turkey.

While the turkey cooked, I crumbled it with a wooden spoon. Once the meat was fully cooked, I removed it from the pan with a slotted metal spoon and left the fat in the pan.

The recipe also called for diced onion.


diced onion in a food processor

Diced onion.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I chopped it using the food processor again and added it to the pan.

I started to sauté the onion, and it filled my kitchen with a delicious aroma. There should be enough fat in the pan from the turkey to sauté the onion, but you can also add olive oil or butter if you don’t have enough liquid.

I then added the other vegetables and cooked them down until they were combined and soft.


shepherds pie filling in a large saute pan

Shepherd’s pie filling.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I also added flour to the pan, creating a paste-like mixture. 

I then added chicken broth and cooked the mixture until it was fully combined and some of the liquid had evaporated.


shepherds pie filling in a large saute pan

Shepherd’s pie filling.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I also added tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, rosemary, thyme, and frozen peas to the pan and continued cooking the filling until it reached a simmer.

After stirring in the turkey, the mixture was really starting to resemble the filling of shepherd’s pie.


shepherds pie filling in a large saute pan

Shepherd’s pie filling.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I removed the bay leaves and herb sprigs before seasoning the mixture to taste and setting it aside.

After I finished the pie filling, I started getting my potatoes ready for baking.


hand mashing potatoes in a black pot

Hand-mashing potatoes.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After draining the potatoes, I hand-mashed them in the same pot I cooked them in. The recipe called for a hand mixer, but I found a potato masher just as effective at making creamy mashed potatoes, especially after adding in a mixture of whole milk, almost a stick of Kerry Gold butter, and sour cream.

The potatoes turned out perfectly creamy.


mashed potatoes and a wooden spoon

Mashed potatoes.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I seasoned them to taste and set them aside. I then preheated my oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 

I added the pie filling to a large casserole dish and used a spoon to create an even layer of the meat and vegetables.


ina garten shepherd's pie without mashed potatoes

Shepherd’s pie without the mashed potatoes.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There was a perfect amount of filling to create a thick layer.

I spread the creamy mashed potatoes over the filling, making sure to reach the edges of the pan.


ina garten shepherd's pie

Ina Garten’s shepherd’s pie.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Despite never having made this dish before, I found the process easy to follow and not overwhelming at all. I also had a spoonful of mashed potatoes left over to taste and thought they were delicious.

I wanted to have a deep-golden crust on the mashed potatoes, so I let the pie cook a bit longer than the recipe suggested.


ina garten shepherd's pie

Ina Garten’s shepherd’s pie.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I cooked the pie in the oven for about half an hour, although the recipe suggested it would be done after 20 minutes. All in all, the recipe took me less than an hour in total to prepare. 

All ovens can vary slightly in cook time, so I suggest checking the dish until you’re happy with the result.

When I served the pie, it was piping hot and delicious. I would definitely make this recipe again for St. Patrick’s Day.


ina garten shepherd's pie on a plate

Ina Garten’s shepherd’s pie.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

It didn’t quite hold its shape, but I imagine it would have if I had let the pie sit for a minute or two before I served it. However, I simply couldn’t resist diving in. 

The mashed potatoes were creamy, the filling was perfectly seasoned, and the vegetables all came through in a medley of flavors. It was simple enough to be convenient for a weeknight meal, yet impressive enough for a dinner party.

The recipe also made enough to feed six people and in my experience, with plenty of leftovers, so it also seemed a cost-effective option to feed a family or to prep meals for the week.

In my book, this cozy recipe got a thumbs up.




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I got the ‘perfect job’ in my field after graduating. Two years later, I left it all behind and moved to Tokyo.

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After four years of coursework, practicums, and part-time jobs, graduating felt like a huge accomplishment. I finally had room to breathe. Then fall approached, and it was time to get a “real job”.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in social work, picked up ESL teaching certifications along the way, and assumed I would either go straight into the field or head to teacher’s college.

It felt like the responsible choice — one that made sense to my family, to my need for stability, and to the unspoken expectation that, after graduation, you pick a path and stay on it.

That summer, I came across a college instructor position I was technically qualified for, so I applied, interviewed, and overcame some serious impostor syndrome. By September, I was teaching my first college-level courses from home.

At first, I felt great. The hours were good, my students were kind, and my family was proud of me. I was even teaching future community-service workers.

On paper, it was a dream job. It felt grown-up, fit my background, and seemed like the right thing to do. Over time, though, that feeling faded.

I wasn’t ready to settle down, and I could feel it


Womam smiling with flowers, diploma

After graduating, I got a job in my field as I felt I was supposed to.

Alessa Hickman



Between life changes, teaching burnout, and a growing disconnect from my passions, I felt stuck.

I’ve always been creatively inclined, whether that meant writing, making videos, cooking, or creating digital resources in my free time.

Instead, many of my nights were spent prepping lessons, grading assignments, and reading essays, leaving little room for the hobbies that filled me up.

Gradually, the work took a toll on me, but the expectation that a “good” job is one you stick with for years made leaving seem like breaking the rules.

In my early 20s, I felt boxed into this pipeline that didn’t suit me, and I didn’t want to follow a version of success that didn’t feel sustainable.

I’m entrepreneurial by nature, constantly chasing new ideas, certifications, and ways to apply them. So when I started exploring what else I could do with my skill set, freelance writing made the most sense.

With my husband’s support, I decided to leave teaching and pursue freelancing full-time — a move that raised quite a few eyebrows.

My craving for something radically different pushed me to leave my job and my country


Woman smiling with drum arcade games

I fell in love with Japan when I first visited.

Alessa Hickman



Around the time my teaching chapter closed, I learned about Japan’s Working Holiday Visa program. My husband and I first visited Japan in early 2024 and instantly fell in love with the country.

Back in Ontario, that feeling was hard to ignore. We were renting an apartment with a lease ending in October, and after spending my entire life in my hometown, staying felt more limiting than comfortable.

Between the rising cost of living and a sense that I had outgrown my routines, I wanted to explore something new.


Aerial view of city in Japan during daytime

I’ve enjoyed building a life in Tokyo.

Alessa Hickman



We applied for the visa, were approved, and sold most of our belongings as our move-out date approached. In December 2025, we flew to Tokyo and rang in the new year halfway across the world.

Living here has been incredible. Learning Japanese, navigating a new culture, and building a life in Tokyo have been exactly what I needed. And yes — the food’s been amazing, too.

Moving abroad and changing paths didn’t mean abandoning my education or values. Instead, it meant reframing them.

Read more stories about moving somewhere new

My definition of success looks different now


Woman smiling near koi pond

I’ve learned that life after college doesn’t have to be linear.

Alessa Hickman



I’m no longer in a classroom, but my background in social work and teaching continues to shape the work I do.

I create and edit content that’s rooted in helping others, and I’m lucky enough to write about my life and experiences abroad.

When I told people I was quitting teaching, and later that I was moving to Japan, it was seen as somewhat unconventional. My husband even left his stable job to come here.

However, the move opened many more doors than it closed. Living in Tokyo has brought new experiences, stories, and opportunities I would’ve never had otherwise.

I’ve learned that postgrad life doesn’t have to be linear — and maybe it shouldn’t be. For some people, stability is the right choice. But for others, taking a detour can lead to growth you’d never find by staying put.

For me, choosing uncertainty meant choosing myself.

I don’t know what my life will look like in two or five years from now, but I do know that I’m building it on my own terms. That feels like a pretty good place to start.




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McKinsey CEO Bob Sternfels says AI is changing how the firm views the perfect job candidate

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Landing a job at McKinsey & Company has never been easy. The firm has long been known for recruiting top talent from top schools and leading industry experts.

AI, however, is forcing the firm to rethink the types of applicants it considers in the hiring process, CEO Bob Sternfels said.

On Harvard Business Review’s IdeaCast podcast this week, Sternfels said the firm used AI to analyze its past 20 years of hiring data to understand where it may have overlooked talent for its coveted class of partners.

The firm found that applicants who had setbacks and recovered were more likely to become partners. So, now, Stenfels said, the firm looks for resilience in its interview process.

“It turned out we had some bias in our system,” he said, adding that the firm was too focused on whether candidates had “perfect marks” instead of how they bounced back from difficulties.

In December, the firm promoted about 200 employees to partner — one of the smallest classes in years, The Wall Street Journal reported. In 2022, it promoted about 400 people to partner.

McKinsey partners typically earn under $500,000 in base pay, but they can expect to earn hundreds of thousands more in bonuses and profit sharing.

McKinsey receives about 1 million résumés annually. In 2024, the firm told Business Insider that it planned to hire about 1% of applicants, in line with 2023.

The firm’s spokesperson also said at the time that it looks for “distinctive students just starting their careers” and experts in industries ranging from technology to finance to law.

The company also looks for strong problem-solving skills, which it gauges through a game-based assessment called Solve.

To help candidates prepare, the company offers candidates resources ahead of time.

“This helps to ensure candidates from any background — regardless of whether they have exposure to resources like consulting clubs — can demonstrate their distinctiveness in our process,” the firm told Business Insider.




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I wanted to be perfect like my grandmother. Then she asked me a question that changed my approach to life.

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The author’s grandma was a perfectionist.

Courtesy of the author

  • My grandmother’s terminal cancer diagnosis taught us both to let go of perfectionism.
  • Her lifelong pursuit of order and perfection shaped our family’s habits and expectations.
  • Facing illness, she embraced acceptance and inspired me to value effort over unattainable ideals.

My grandmother strove for perfection, convinced that it was an attainable goal if only you worked hard enough.

This meant eating less to lose weight. Food deprivation became a family bonding activity when my grandmother was on a diet. Diets lasted decades. We had marathon cleaning weekends while friends went to the mall. Play clothes were swapped out for school clothes for our rare trips to Burger King. Random dust checks were performed to ensure vacuuming of floors was done correctly. I’ll never forget her finger with a perfectly manicured nail grazing the cool Italian tile floor. Chore lists graced our refrigerator in the same way my friends’ quizzes and pictures graced theirs.

My grandmother wanted and demanded order, believing it led to perfection. My childhood was spent trying to please. She did not expect more from us than she did from herself, though. I hold many memories of Gram chastising herself for her too-big thighs or her less-than-stellar self-control around chocolate. It was a weakness that caused her significant guilt.

I followed her steps

Years later, as I began my own journey toward motherhood, I vowed that my children would not endure what I had. I would allow them to make messes. That dog I always wanted, but was never allowed to have because pets were dirty, would complete the large family I also always wanted. Perfection would become what it was meant to be, a foolish ideal — not a reality to strive for at all costs.

Family birthday
The author’s grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Courtesy of the author

Instead, I repeated exactly what I knew. My kids had to have matching outfits, picture-perfect Christmas cards, and all the things perfection required. I would clean and exercise until I reached the point of exhaustion. I worked out through all four pregnancies and directly after.

I recall throwing a birthday party for my son. He was turning 3 or 4. Someone commented on how great I looked. “Nicole makes sure everything is always perfect,” someone else said. I reveled in the praise. Gram heard the comment and smiled. We shared a common bond. When one of us inched closer to it, the other one felt proud.

Then my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer

The exhaustion of parenting four kids and attempting to create the perfect world for them and me was intense. I was stuck in a cycle. It would not break until one sunny fall day. I was running around attempting to clean and wrangle the kids for lunch. The plan was to work out after they took their naps. The phone rang, and my grandmother greeted me on the other end. All I heard was the word sick. I assumed it was regarding my grandfather, who had had heart problems for decades. I thought perhaps it was another heart attack.

“No, baby, it’s me. I’m sick.” It was shocking. Gram had lived a life of such order and perfection. She was in her 70s and active. She took only one pill for high blood pressure. Gram had Stage 4 ovarian cancer, which meant we discovered it late. We looked up the statistical odds of survival. My grandmother had a terminal illness.

The diagnosis changed her. For the first time, her constant need for perfection seemed foolish. Weight didn’t matter, nor did matching a purse to shoes to a blouse. When Gram lost her hair, one of her most beautiful features, and found herself struggling to keep the house clean, she understood things had to change. Maybe a wig wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe hiring someone to come in and help was OK. Her new favorite saying became, “Don’t sweat it.” What mattered was time and how she spent it.

She asked 1 simple question

When she saw me working myself to death to provide a perfect life for my family, Gram realized I had become just like her. She said, “Perfection isn’t worth it. It isn’t even real.” Then, she asked a question that changed everything for me.”Did you do your best?” When I answered that I had, she said, “Well, that’s all you can do then.”

It changed the way I lived my life and significantly reduced the pressure on me.

Watching her health diminish and understanding that she had limited time helped Gram realize what was important. Perfection and holding onto unrealistic expectations and ideals no longer fit into her life. Watching her learn this lesson allowed me to learn it alongside her. She taught me so that I didn’t have to wait until I was in my 70s battling a terminal illness. When I remember her now, I am forever grateful.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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My 2017 Volvo has more than 100,000 miles. It’s old, paid off, and perfect for my family.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

When I bought my Volvo XC90 in 2017, I was thrilled to get a safe, third-row vehicle. With three kids between the ages of 3 and 8, the extra space meant fewer fights and more room, and reassured me that the car’s safety features would help me drive through snowy roads and city traffic.

Almost a decade later, that same Volvo has over 112,000 miles on it. I still remember when my family and I sat on the front porch, excited, as we watched the car get delivered from the truck.


New car being dropped off.

The author’s family was excited to see their car be delivered.

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These days, my kids have been asking me when I’m going to get a new car, and my answer remains the same — I love my car and I’m going to keep driving it.

The car is still reliable — and I trust it

Aside from regular maintenance and tire changes, the car has been reliable. Before the warranty expired, we purchased an extended warranty on the vehicle. Now that the extended warranty has expired due to mileage, I am still in awe at how reliable the car has remained.

Years ago, we appreciated that the trunk could hold the double stroller, and that the built-in booster seat allowed us to drive car pools with small children. These days, we appreciate the third-row flexibility that allows us to fit our skis, snowboards, soccer gear, backpacks, and all the other essentials my kids need.

I spend a lot of time in the car driving people around, and I am thankful for a car I can rely on.


Woman driving car

The author spends a lot of time in her car and finds it reliable.

Courtesy of the author



My mom used to say that the best car is one that reliably gets you from point A to point B. I still agree with this statement.

I appreciate the small safety features that I now take for granted. From the computer technology to the warning lights on the mirrors and back-up cameras, the car has helped keep my family safe on numerous occasions and helped me avoid some near accidents.

The car is part of our family. We have taken it on adventures to national parks, ski resorts in the Rockies, and even to an alligator farm. The vehicle has had its share of muddy shoes, candy wrappers, and dog hair. It also has dings from when I backed the car into the garage.

The economics don’t make sense for a new car right now

When my car is in the garage, the dealer provides me with a loaner car — a brand-new version of my current vehicle. I get tempted and think about how nice it would be to get a new car. The latest vehicles have more power, fewer scratches, are cleaner, and have that new-car smell.

I’ve crunched the numbers. After years of car payments, my car is now paid off. Every month that goes by without a car payment means more money toward saving for the future. More money for food, utilities, saving for college, and the occasional splurge. Saving money now means more financial freedom for tomorrow.

Buying a new car is expensive. Borrowing money for car payments these days costs more than it did in the past. Even yearly vehicle registration costs less for an older car.

Part of me feels proud to keep driving my older car

We live in a world that tells us that newer is better, that we should want more. Although external validation of a new car is nice, I am focusing on the internal satisfaction that comes from knowing I am saving money by driving an older car.

My car may not turn heads in the school pick-up line, but I view the scratches and door dings much like wrinkles- a sign of a good life.

I will continue to drive my older car, and I am thankful for a safe and reliable vehicle that has served my family well.




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I used to obsess over perfect holiday cards. When I finally stopped sending them, I found more joy in the season.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

I grew up in a house where coordinated family photos were the norm. My mom would line up the four of us kids in matching outfits — one year, freshly pressed sailor suits; the next, velvet dresses, with my brother in a matching tie. Every stray hair would be tucked in or sprayed down.

We were bribed (or more like lightly threatened) to smile with our eyes open, something that’s more difficult than it should be when you’re a kid who just wants to be DONE.

Then came the card — glossy, cheerful, and perfectly posed — the proof that our family had it all together, at least for one photo.

I kept the tradition going with my own kids

So when I had my own kids, I continued this tradition without question. Every year, I’d book a family photo session well in advance of Thanksgiving, hoping that temperamental Chicago weather wouldn’t put a damper on our outdoor photos.

I’d scour Pinterest for outfit inspiration, aiming for a coordinated but not totally matching vibe. The goal was to capture one frame of perfection — a photo worthy of the hundreds of envelopes I’d soon address by hand.


Holiday card

The author continued the tradition of holiday cards with her family.

Courtesy of the author



But the reality behind those photos was far from picture-perfect. There were bribes of hot chocolate and complaints about itchy sweaters. I’d smile through gritted teeth while the photographer tried to get everyone looking in the same direction. By the end, the kids were shivering, my husband was done, and I was wondering why we put ourselves through this every year.

And that was just phase one.

Once we had a “good enough” photo, I’d spend hours designing the cards online, tweaking fonts, choosing layouts, and agonizing over whether to include a photo of the whole family or the cuter one of just the kids.

Then came the addressing, stamping, and mailing — usually squeezed in between wrapping gifts, decorating the house, and trying to keep the ambiance somewhat festive. What was meant to be a joyful holiday tradition had turned into yet another item on my never-ending to-do list.

Quitting holiday cards lifted a huge weight

Two years ago, I finally asked myself, “Why am I doing this?”

When I couldn’t come up with a satisfying answer beyond “because we’ve always done it,” I decided to stop. No family photo shoot. No card design. No envelopes or stamps.


Family at ski resort

The author feels her family photos feel more authentic now.

Courtesy of the author



That first year without holiday cards felt strange at first, like I’d forgotten to do something important. December rolled around, and my mailbox filled with cheerful greetings from family and friends, each one featuring those perfectly posed families and braggy year-end recaps. For a fleeting moment, I felt a pang of guilt, like I’d dropped out of a club I’d been part of my entire adult life.

But then the feeling passed. What replaced it was a deep sense of relief.

Without the looming card deadline, December suddenly opened up. I had more time to actually enjoy the holidays — to bake sugar cookies in the shape of stars and drive through neighborhoods adorned in holiday lights. The pressure to present our family in a certain way — smiling, coordinated, festive — simply disappeared.

Now our photos (and holidays) feel more authentic

Instead of orchestrating a posed photo, we started taking more spontaneous pictures: messy, candid, real. A selfie at a local holiday market. A blurry shot of everyone laughing in front of our silver faux Christmas tree. A snowy mountain scene after a day of skiing. These pictures weren’t perfect, but they were us. And when I looked at them later, they didn’t remind me of how stressed I felt trying to get everyone to cooperate — they reminded me of how much fun we actually had.


Family posing by tree

The author and her family.

Courtesy of the author



Something else unexpected also happened: no one seemed to miss the cards. The people who truly wanted to connect reached out in other ways. It made me realize that keeping in touch didn’t have to involve postage and cardstock.

Letting go of the holiday card tradition didn’t make the end of the year any less special — it made them more so. It gave me permission to simplify and remember that the memories that matter most aren’t ones you send in the mail. They’re the ones you make together, no matching outfits required.




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