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cozy shepherd s pie recipe

Shepherd's Pie

This hearty Shepherd's Pie combines savory ground beef, vegetables, and a flavorful gravy topped with creamy mashed potatoes and melted cheddar cheese. The secret lies in the rich beef onion soup mix and Worcestershire sauce that creates incredible depth of flavor in every bite.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: British
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and cubed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated preferred
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 cup frozen whole kernel corn
  • 2 cups frozen cubed hash brown potatoes
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1 large carrot peeled and coarsely shredded
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 (1 ounce) envelope beef dry onion soup mix
  • 1 tablespoon dried onion
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 pounds 93% lean ground beef
  • 3 cups water
  • 4 tablespoons butter softened
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray

Equipment

  • 13x9-inch casserole dish
  • Large skillet
  • Potato masher

Method
 

  1. Boil the peeled and cubed russet potatoes until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.
  2. Drain potatoes and return them to the warm pot. Mash with the egg, chicken broth, milk, and softened butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste until smooth. Set aside.
  3. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray. Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and brown for about 5 minutes.
  5. Add the shredded carrot and chopped onion to the beef, cooking for another 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
  6. In a small saucepan, whisk together the beef onion soup mix, dried onions, flour, and water. Bring to a low boil and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
  7. Add Worcestershire sauce to the gravy mixture and continue cooking until thickened.
  8. Pour the gravy over the meat mixture, then stir in frozen peas, frozen corn, and frozen hash browns. Simmer for about 5 minutes until vegetables are heated through.
  9. Transfer the filling to a 13×9-inch casserole dish and spread the mashed potatoes evenly on top.
  10. Sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese over the potatoes and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
  11. Allow to rest for 5-7 minutes before serving to help it set properly.

Notes

For an authentic Shepherd's Pie, substitute the ground beef with ground lamb. The dish freezes beautifully for up to 3 months - simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and often taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
For a make-ahead option, prepare the filling and mashed potatoes separately, refrigerate, then assemble and bake just before serving.