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This simple Shepherd’s Pie recipe features a flavorful ground beef filling, mixed vegetables, and rich mashed potatoes. It’s the perfect hearty dish to prepare ahead of time for busy weeknights or a cozy Sunday dinner!
For additional comforting meals, consider trying our slow cooker chicken pot pie, Crockpot chicken and dumplings, or beef pot pie!
### Homemade Cottage Pie
Today I’m excited to share one of my all-time favorite comfort food recipes! Shepherd’s Pie (often referred to as cottage pie) has evolved over the years and varies by region in terms of ingredients.
While some casseroles might not get the love they deserve, this Shepherd’s Pie is bursting with flavor (I prefer mine extra saucy!) and topped with velvety mashed potatoes that will make you forget any bland casserole experiences you’ve had before!
#### Ingredients You’ll Need
Traditionally made with ground lamb, Shepherd’s Pie in America often uses ground beef instead (though lamb can be used if preferred!). Here’s how we like it: a rich sauce filled with ground beef and an abundance of vegetables topped off with creamy mashed potatoes. I’m confident you’ll enjoy it just as much!
– **Carrots, Celery & Onion:** These chopped veggies enhance flavor while adding texture and nutrients to the meat mixture.
– **Ground Beef:** The primary protein source; I recommend using lean ground beef! For a classic touch, feel free to substitute lamb.
– **Garlic:** Adds an aromatic depth of flavor.
– **Tomato Paste:** Contributes richness to the meat filling.
– **Worcestershire Sauce:** Provides an extra layer of savory goodness.
– **Beef Broth:** Serves as the base for your gravy while infusing moisture into the dish.
– **Cornstarch:** Helps thicken up your gravy slightly for that perfect consistency.
– **Dried Herbs:** A blend of thyme, oregano, and parsley works wonderfully here!
– **Salt & Pepper:** Season according to your taste preferences!
– **Frozen Peas:** These add delightful sweetness along with color and texture.
**For Mashed Potatoes:**
– Potatoes: Russet or golden varieties are ideal due to their high starch content which yields creamy results when mashed.
– Butter: Enhances richness in your mash.
– Half-and-Half: For added creaminess!
– Boursin Cheese (Garlic & Fine Herbs): This soft cheese elevates your mash with its delicious garlic-herb flavors.
- Salt & Pepper: Adjust based on taste.
### How To Make The Best Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s Pie is a satisfying meal that everyone will want seconds of! Here’s how you can create this delightful dish:
1. **Preheat Oven**: Set your oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Sauté Vegetables**: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm oil then add carrots, celery, and onion; cook until softened—about five minutes.
3. **Brown Ground Beef**: Add in the ground beef; cook until browned through without any pink remaining—break it apart as it cooks. Stir in minced garlic for another minute.
4. **Prepare Sauce**: In a bowl whisk together beef broth and cornstarch then pour into skillet along with tomato paste,Worcestershire sauce herbs plus salt/pepper mix well before folding in frozen peas—cook until thickened about five minutes.
5. *Mashed Potatoes*:
– Place peeled/diced potatoes into large pot covered by cold water seasoned generously w/kosher salt
- Bring water up high heat till boiling then reduce heat maintaining rolling boil cooking till tender (~12–15 mins)
- Drain well returning them back into pot mashing thoroughly using ricer/masher adding butter/warm half-and-half/Boursin cheese mixing until smooth adjusting seasoning if necessary
6 . Spread potato mixture evenly atop meat filling within baking dish
7 . Bake uncovered ~25–30 mins till edges bubble sprinkle fresh parsley serve hot
### Tips For Preparing Shepherd’s Pie Ahead Of Time
1 . *Unbaked Casserole*: Assemble entire casserole beforehand covering tightly refrigerating up-to three-four days prior baking day
2 . *Ground Beef*: Pre-cook portions storing one-pound bags within freezer making quick dinners easy later on
3 . *Filling Prep*: Prepare meat/veggie mix refrigerating/freeze individual servings topping w/potato later
### Can You Freeze Shepherd’s Pie?
Yes! While freezing is possible keep in mind that potato texture may change post-thawing so best enjoyed fresh when possible .
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#### More Casserole Recipes You’ll Adore:
Pin this recipe now so you can find it later!
##### Mashed Potatoes Ingredients:
▢ 2 pounds russet or golden potatoes peeled/diced into one-inch pieces
▢ 2 tablespoons butter
▢ ½ cup half-and-half warmed
▢ 5 ounces Boursin cheese garlic/fine herbs flavor
▢ Salt/Pepper adjust per taste
##### Instructions Recap:
1 . Preheat oven at375°F(190°C)
2 . Sauté veggies(5min) add/beef brown/cook through breaking apart stir-in garlic(1min)
3 Whisk broth/cornstarch pour/simmer stirring-in tomato paste/Worcestershire/herbs/salt-pepper fold-in peas simmering(~5mins)
4 Boil diced-potatoes salted water(~12–15mins) drain/mash adding butter/half&half/Boursin season/taste spread atop-meat bake uncovered(25–30mins)
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Originally posted February26th2020 Updated March16th2024
Calories :560 kcal Carbohydrates :63g Protein :28g Fat :23g SaturatedFat :13g PolyunsaturatedFat :2g MonounsaturatedFat :4g TransFat:.04mg Cholesterol :89mg Sodium1139mg Potassium1619mg Fiber9 g Sugar10 g VitaminA4501IU VitaminC32 mg Calcium215 mg Iron6 mg
Nutrition info calculated automatically should only serve approximation purposes .
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About Alyssa Rivers – Author behind ‘The Tried And True Cookbook’, professional food photographer experienced recipe developer passionate about cooking featured on Good Morning America Today Food Buzzfeed etc..
