Brazilian Beef Shepherd's Pie (Escondidinho)

Name: Brazilian Beef Shepherd's Pie (Escondidinho)
Prep time: 60 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Brésilienne
Ingredients: 1 kg potatoes, boiled with a little salt; Fresh parsley, chopped; 1 vegetable stock cube; 1 tsp margarine; 1 cup milk; 2 tbsp grated cheese; 1 kg ground beef; 3 garlic cloves, crushed; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 tomatoes, peeled and seeded; 2 tbsp olive oil; Fresh chives and cilantro (cheiro verde); Black pepper; 2 beef stock cubes; 1 tbsp ketchup; 1 tsp mustard; Extra grated cheese for the topping

By Marie Lefebvre · Updated October 14, 2026

This comforting Brazilian classic hides a rich beef filling beneath a silky blanket of mashed potatoes. Seasoned with tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs, it's baked until golden and bubbling with cheese. Easy to make and endlessly satisfying, it's the perfect family dinner.

Prep⏱️ 60 min

Servings👥 6 servings

Difficulty📊 Easy

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🛒 Ingredients

6 servings

1 kg potatoes, boiled with a little salt
Fresh parsley, chopped
1 vegetable stock cube
1 tsp margarine
1 cup milk
2 tbsp grated cheese
1 kg ground beef
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, peeled and seeded
2 tbsp olive oil
Fresh chives and cilantro (cheiro verde)
Black pepper
2 beef stock cubes
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tsp mustard
Extra grated cheese for the topping

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Directions

1
Boil the potatoes in lightly salted water until very tender, then mash them while still hot.
2
Stir in the margarine and milk to make a smooth, creamy mash.
3
Spread the mash over the base of a baking dish and set aside.
4
Heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the garlic and onion until golden.
5
Add the ground beef and brown it for a few minutes, breaking it up with a spoon.
6
Stir in the tomatoes, beef stock, pepper, ketchup and mustard, then simmer gently.
7
Turn off the heat and mix in the chopped fresh herbs.
8
Layer the dish: a base of mash, the beef filling, then the rest of the mash on top.
9
Scatter over the grated cheese and bake for about 30 minutes in a preheated oven, until golden on top.

💡 Chef's Tip

For an even creamier mash, add a knob of butter and a splash of cream before layering. Don't hold back on the grated cheese if you love a deeply golden crust. This dish can be made ahead: let it cool, cover it and keep it in the fridge, then simply reheat it in the oven when you're ready to serve.