Easy Shepherd's Pie (or Cottage Pie)
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
35 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
407 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
American
Easy Shepherd's Pie (or Cottage Pie)
Description
Easy Shepherd's Pie transforms ground beef cooked with onions, carrots, tomato paste, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and beef stock into a thick, flavorful filling. The mixture simmers to develop depth of flavor and is thickened with a cornstarch slurry. Frozen peas are folded in to complete the filling.
The topping consists of mashed potatoes blended with butter, milk, salt, and pepper for a smooth, creamy texture. This is spread over the meat filling in a baking dish and scored with a fork to encourage browning.
Baked at 375°F for 20 minutes, the pie develops a golden, slightly crispy potato top that contrasts with the tender filling beneath. It's a classic comfort dish that combines protein and vegetables with a creamy starch layer, suitable for a hearty dinner.
The notes mention the recipe is gluten-free if ingredients are checked, and that it can be frozen and reheated with additional baking time. Variations include substituting sweet potatoes for the topping, changing vegetables, or using other ground meats such as lamb or venison. Adding Parmesan cheese on top furthers browning and flavor complexity.
Ingredients
- 2 pound ground beef
- 1 large onion or two smaller ones
- 3 carrot cut into slices, or diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons thyme dried
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 cup peas frozen
- salt
- black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
Topping
- 2 pound potato
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- salt
- black pepper
OPTIONAL
- Parmesan Cheese for the top
Instructions
Make the filling
- In a large skillet or dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat.
- Add onions and carrots, and cook until onion is soft, and the carrots begin to soften.
- Add tomato paste, thyme, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and season with salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, for around 15 minutes.
- Turn the heat up, then add cornstarch to the water and mix. Add the mixture to the skillet, and cook until it thickens.
- Add the frozen peas, and mix in (the heat from the meat mixture is enough to cook the peas).
Cook and Mash Potatoes
- Boil the potatoes until tender, then mash with the butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
Assemble
- Preheat the oven to 375.
- Pour beef mixture into an 8 x 8 (square) dish.
- Spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the beef mixture and score the top with a fork (for crispy peaks).
Bake
- Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven until the top is brown and crispy.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then serve.
- Devour.
Notes
- Check ingredient labels to ensure the recipe is gluten-free if needed.
- This dish freezes well; thaw in fridge and bake for 30-60 minutes until hot.
- Mashed sweet potatoes can be substituted for regular potatoes in the topping.
- Vegetables can be varied with frozen mixed vegetables, peas, or green beans to taste.
- Ground lamb, bison, or venison are alternatives to ground beef for different flavor profiles.
- Sprinkling Parmesan cheese on top adds extra flavor and melts golden during baking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 407 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 407kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 81mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 360mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 1088mg | 23% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 4030IU | 81% |
| Vitamin C | 24.2mg | 27% |
| Calcium | 84mg | 8% |
| Iron | 7mg | 39% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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