Want to know how to reheat shepherd’s pie in the oven? To properly reheat your shepherd’s pie, wrap the dish in foil, then place it in an oven-safe dish and heat it at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
If you’re reading this, chances are you have a delicious shepherd’s pie stored in your freezer or fridge, and you’re seeking the ideal method to heat it before savoring this delightful dish!
Having invested time in creating and preserving your homemade shepherd’s pie, it’s crucial to reheat it correctly to ensure you can fully appreciate its flavors.
That’s where I come in! In this article, I’ll guide you on using the oven to reheat your shepherd’s pie.
In This Article
How To Reheat Shepherd’s Pie In The Oven
When reheating shepherd’s pie or any other baked dish in the oven, following specific guidelines is crucial to ensure that your food turns out exactly as desired.
Consider whether the dish you’re heating comes directly from the fridge or freezer.
Warming baked dishes from the fridge in the oven is typically a straightforward process.

We’ll delve into the specifics of reheating shepherd’s pie soon, but here’s a general guideline to keep in mind:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the Shepherd’s Pie from the refrigerator.
- Place the Shepherd’s Pie in an oven-safe container.
- Cover the Shepherd’s Pie with tin or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss.
- Cook the dish for a predetermined duration.
- Remove the Shepherd’s Pie from the oven.
- Allow it to cool to the desired temperature.
- Serve and enjoy!
Reheating baked dishes from the freezer can be more complex. Some items, like shepherd’s pie, must be defrosted before being heated in the oven.
Furthermore, when heating food from the freezer, freezer burn can alter the taste. Freezer burn occurs when improperly sealed or covered food develops a frost layer that absorbs moisture, making it taste dry and less appealing.
Allow baked goods to cool to room temperature before freezing to prevent this.
Additionally, always tightly cover the food, whether in an airtight container, ziplock bag, or sealed with plastic wrap or tin foil.
Typically, heating baked dishes from the freezer in the oven takes twice as long as from the fridge.
Reheating Shepherd’s Pie Stored In The Refrigerator
Leftover shepherd’s pie is common since it’s often made in large quantities for family dinners, celebrations, or gatherings.
If you have leftovers in your fridge and want to warm them up by baking, follow these step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
Step 2: Remove shepherd’s pie from the refrigerator and take off the lid or cover.
Step 3: Place the shepherd’s pie in an oven-friendly dish, such as a cast iron pan, casserole dish, or baking dish (I personally love and recommend the ones I use).
Step 4: Cover the shepherd’s pie with aluminum foil or tin. This is crucial to prevent moisture and flavor loss from your shepherd’s pie.
NOTE: Ensure the aluminum foil or tin seal is as airtight as possible. Any exposure may cause your shepherd’s pie to become dry or taste stale.
Step 5: Place the covered shepherd’s pie in the oven and close the door.
Step 6: Set a timer for 30 minutes.
Step 7: After 30 minutes, open the oven door and remove the shepherd’s pie.
Step 8: Take off the aluminum foil or tin, then use a toothpick, fork, or knife to pierce the center of the shepherd’s pie, reaching the bottom.
Step 9: Check if the utensil is hot to the touch. If so, your shepherd’s pie is fully heated and ready to serve.
If not, re-cover the shepherd’s pie with aluminum foil or tin and return it to the oven for 5-10 minutes.
Step 10: After 5-10 minutes, remove the shepherd’s pie from the oven, take off the aluminum foil or tin, and let it cool to your desired serving temperature, which usually takes about a minute.
Step 11: Serve and enjoy your warmed-up shepherd’s pie!
Reheating Shepherd’s Pie Stored In The Freezer
If you have shepherd’s pie in your freezer rather than the fridge, there’s good news: the oven reheating process is similar and fairly easy.
You have two options for heating your frozen shepherd’s pie:
Option 1: Thaw the shepherd’s pie in the refrigerator overnight, then follow the steps in the previous section for oven reheating from the fridge.
Note: Don’t thaw your shepherd’s pie in cold water; use the refrigerator instead.
Option 2: Follow the steps below. Note that these steps are almost identical to reheating from the refrigerator, but we’ll bake the shepherd’s pie twice as long (60 minutes instead of 30 minutes).
NOTE: Thawing in the fridge before cooking ensures even heating. However, placing it directly in the oven is a suitable option if you can’t thaw it.
To heat shepherd’s pie straight from the freezer:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
Step 2: Remove shepherd’s pie from the freezer and remove the lid or cover.
Step 3: Place the shepherd’s pie in an oven-friendly dish, like a cast iron skillet or baking dish.
Step 4: Cover the shepherd’s pie with tin or aluminum foil. This is crucial to prevent moisture and flavor loss.
NOTE: Create an airtight seal with aluminum foil or tin. Any exposure may result in your shepherd’s pie becoming dry or stale.
Step 5: Place the covered shepherd’s pie in the oven and close the door.
Step 6: Set a timer for 60 minutes.
Step 7: After 60 minutes, open the oven door and remove the shepherd’s pie.
Step 8: Take off the aluminum foil or tin, then use a toothpick, fork, or knife to pierce the center of the shepherd’s pie, reaching the bottom.
Step 9: Check if the utensil is warm to the touch. If so, your shepherd’s pie is fully heated and ready to serve.
If not, re-cover the shepherd’s pie with aluminum foil or tin and return it to the oven for another 5-10 minutes.
Step 10: After 5-10 minutes, remove the shepherd’s pie from the oven, take off the aluminum foil or tin, and let it cool to your preferred serving temperature, which usually takes a few minutes.
Step 11: Serve and enjoy your warmed-up shepherd’s pie!
FAQs
Can You Reheat Shepherd’s Pie In A Microwave?
Yes, you can heat shepherd’s pie using the microwave.
The only disadvantage of heating in the microwave (which is why I suggest using it in an oven) is that the shepherd’s pies could get dry and lose crispy flavor and texture due to uneven heating.
Can You Reheat Shepherd’s Pie More than Once?
If you adhere to the steps for reheating that were previously described, you can cook your shepherd’s pie more than one time. This is because the process described above will ensure that your food is cooked to a sufficient temperature to kill any bacteria that could cause harm.
How Long To Reheat A Shepherd’s Pie In The Oven?
To reheat a shepherd’s pie in the oven, bake it for 30 minutes if refrigerated or 60 minutes if previously frozen and thawed, at 350°F (177°C).
At What Temperature Do I Heat Shepherd’s Pie?
Heat shepherd’s pie at a temperature of 350°F (177°C) for optimal reheating results.
How Do You Reheat Mashed Potatoes For Shepherd’s Pie?
To reheat mashed potatoes for shepherd’s pie, place them in an oven-safe dish, cover it with aluminum foil, and heat at 350°F (177°C) for 20-25 minutes or until warmed through.