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Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe
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5.1 from 16 reviews

This Easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for any weeknight dinner. Featuring a savory ground beef and vegetable filling, topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and baked to golden perfection, it’s a classic made simple with accessible ingredients and straightforward steps. Ideal for family meals, this dish combines traditional flavors with a modern twist and can be customized with your favorite vegetables or cheese.

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 celery stick, chopped
  • 2 cups frozen chopped vegetables (carrots, peas, and/or corn)
  • 1 lb ground beef or lamb

Seasonings and Sauces

  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 ½ teaspoons rosemary or ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 cup beef broth or chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons Montreal steak spice
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Sea salt to taste

Topping

  • 2 tablespoons butter, sliced into 5 pieces
  • 2 lb homemade mashed potatoes (about 4 cups)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the mashed potatoes: Start by preparing about 4 cups (2 lb) of mashed potatoes using your favorite recipe or leftover mashed potatoes. Set aside and preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Sauté onion and celery: In a cast iron skillet or oven-safe pan, heat 3 tablespoons of avocado oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened.
  3. Add vegetables and cook: Stir in the frozen chopped vegetables and continue to sauté for another 5 minutes, mixing occasionally to ensure even cooking.
  4. Cook ground meat: Add 1 lb of ground beef or lamb to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, breaking apart with a wooden spoon. If excess juice forms, drain it leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan for flavor.
  5. Add flour and garlic: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour over the meat mixture and sauté for 1 minute while stirring continuously. Then, add 2 finely chopped garlic cloves and stir for another minute until fragrant.
  6. Season the filling: Mix in 1 ½ teaspoons fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried), 1 ½ teaspoons rosemary (or ½ teaspoon dried), 2 teaspoons Montreal steak spice, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to evenly coat the mixture.
  7. Add broth and simmer: Pour in 1 cup of beef or chicken broth, season with sea salt to taste. Lower the heat and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the broth thickens into a gravy-like consistency.
  8. Assemble the pie: Spread the prepared mashed potatoes evenly over the meat and vegetable filling. Dot the surface with 2 tablespoons of butter sliced into about 5 pieces.
  9. Bake: Place the skillet or casserole dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the mashed potato topping is golden brown and crisp.
  10. Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your hearty, comforting shepherd’s pie!

Notes

  • Using a cast iron skillet makes it easy to transfer from stovetop to oven without extra dishes, but a casserole dish works fine as well.
  • You can substitute fresh or canned vegetables for the frozen mix if preferred.
  • Add cheese to your mashed potatoes or sprinkle cheddar on top before baking for a cheesy variation.
  • Drain excess meat juices but keep about 2 tablespoons for flavor.
  • If you want a richer flavor, consider using lamb instead of ground beef.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/easy-shepherds-pie-recipe/