Proper Shepherds Pie with Cheddar Mash
Recipe Introduction
Fancy a proper, comforting dish? You know, the sort that just hugs you from the inside? This Shepherd's Pie Recipe Easy is it! We're talking savoury ground beef recipes comfort food and veggie filling topped with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes.
What is Shepherd's Pie?
It's a classic, innit? Shepherd's Pie comes from the UK, a champion of Easy Family Dinner Ideas . Originally a way to use up leftover meat, it’s now a family favorite.
It will take you about 2 hours total. This recipe feeds about 6-8 hungry folks.
This Shepherd's Pie is Simply the Best!
Honestly, this pie is proper lush. It is one of those things to make with ground to make your family dinner experience a truly special and enjoyable.
Each mouthful offers a harmonious mix of savory beef and creamy mash. Plus, you get a good dose of protein from the beef and fibre from the veggies.
Shepherd’s pie is a guaranteed winner for those nights when you fancy Ground Beef Dinner Ideas Quick !
Let's gather our bits for the recipe, shall we?
Getting Started: What You'll Need
Alright, mate! Let's talk about what you'll need to whip up this Shepherd's Pie Recipe Easy . Honestly, it's simpler than you might think.
This one is absolutely amongst the Best Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner .
Main Ingredients for a Proper Pie
Okay, here's the breakdown. We are aiming for the most savoury, warming, and delicious Ground Beef Recipes Comfort Food
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons (30ml) . Any will do, but extra virgin adds a nice flavour.
- Onion: 1 large (about 1 cup / 150g ), chopped. Brown ones are great but white onions work too.
- Carrots: 2 diced ( 1 cup / 120g ). The fresher, the sweeter.
- Celery: 2 stalks diced ( 1 cup / 100g ). Adds a subtle background flavour.
- Ground beef: 1 lb (450g) . About 80/20 blend is perfect. You want some fat for flavour.
- Thyme & rosemary: 1 tsp each , dried. Fresh is even better if you have it.
- Smoked paprika: ½ tsp . Adds a lovely smoky depth.
- All-purpose flour: ¼ cup (30g) . This helps thicken the gravy.
- Beef broth: 1 cup (240ml) . Go for a good quality one. The better the broth, the richer the flavour.
- Frozen peas & corn: 1 cup (120g) each . Adds a touch of sweetness and colour. I mean what Easy Family Dinner Ideas Kid Friendly do not feature peas!
- Tomato paste: 2 tbsp (30ml) . Adds depth and a touch of acidity.
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp (15ml) . For that umami kick! Don't skip it.
- Russet potatoes: 3 lbs (1.36kg) . These make the fluffiest mash.
- Whole milk: ½ cup (120ml) . Makes the mash creamy.
- Unsalted butter: 4 tbsp (57g) . Adds richness and flavour.
- Cheddar cheese: 1 cup (100g) , shredded. Sharp cheddar is the way to go. I mean Ground Beef Recipes Family Friendly , especially if they are cheesy!
- Salt and pepper: To taste. Season generously.
Look for ground beef that's a nice, bright red colour. Avoid anything that looks grey or has a funky smell. For the russets, firm to the touch with no sprouts.
Seasoning and Spice Secrets
Honestly, the thyme, rosemary, and smoked paprika are a game changer. They give it that proper Shepherd's Pie vibe. No smoked paprika? Use regular.
Also, Worcestershire sauce is the sneaky secret to that deep, savory flavor. If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce you can substitute with Soy sauce or balsamic vinegar!
Essential Kit for Shepherd's Pie Magic
Don't worry, you don't need fancy gear. These are Cheap Ground Beef Recipes for a Crowd . Here’s the must haves.
- A large skillet or Dutch oven is the place to brown the beef.
- A large saucepan is needed to boil the potatoes.
- Potato masher is very useful and practical
- And 9x13 inch baking dish is used for baking.
Don't have a potato masher? A fork works in a pinch. No baking dish? Use a large oven safe skillet. Honestly, things to make with ground beef are easier than you might imagine! You see, now that we got this sorted, it's time to get cooking!.
These Ground Beef Dinner Ideas Quick are now going to be quick, I promise! This recipe will be one of your favorites, one of the Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas of your books! Also, you can use this recipe if you are looking for Ground Recipes Beef .
Alright, let's dive into making a proper Shepherd's Pie with Cheddar Mash. This is ground beef recipes comfort food at its finest.
Honestly, who doesn't love a good Shepherd's Pie? It's one of those easy family dinner ideas that everyone will tuck into.
It's a classic!
Prep Steps: Get Your Act Together!
First, mise en place is key. That's fancy chef speak for getting your ingredients prepped and ready. Chop your veg.
Dice your carrots and celery. Nobody likes biting into a huge chunk of onion. Organization is your friend here. I like to measure out my spices into a small bowl.
It really does save time. Safety wise, watch those fingers when chopping! Nobody wants a trip to A&E!
step-by-step to Pie Perfection
Here's how we get to that glorious golden topped pie.
- Sauté those veggies! Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet. Add your onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened. This takes about 5- 7 minutes .
- Brown the beef. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook until browned. Make sure you break it up well. Drain off any extra fat. Nobody wants a greasy pie!
- Flavour Bomb! Stir in 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried rosemary, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Then, sprinkle with 1/4 cup flour. Cook for 1 minute.
- Simmer time. Gradually whisk in 1 cup beef broth. Scrape up those lovely browned bits from the bottom. Add 1 cup frozen peas, 1 cup frozen corn, 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce. Bring it to a simmer, turn down the heat and cook for 30 minutes . Season it with salt and pepper.
- Potato Power! While that’s simmering, boil 3 lbs potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain them properly. Soggy mash is a crime!
- Mash it up! Return the potatoes to the pot and mash with 1/2 cup milk, 4 tbsp butter, and half of 1 cup cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Creamy mash!
- Assemble! Transfer the beef filling to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread the mash evenly over the filling. Top with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake it! Bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 20- 25 minutes . You want a golden top and a bubbly filling. It should smell divine!
Pro Tips: Ace that Pie!
Don't overcook the beef! Cook it just until it's browned. Use good quality beef broth. It makes a difference. Also, let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
This helps it set properly. Seriously, don't skip this. For crispy topping , you can broil the pie for the last few minutes.
Just keep a close eye on it.
Things to make with ground beef are endless. This proper Shepherd's Pie is one of the best ground beef recipes for dinner .
But there's also a load of easy ground beef enchiladas and ground beef dinner ideas quick . It is also perfect ground beef recipes family friendly .
You can even prep the filling ahead of time. Now that's a great way to use cheap ground beef recipes for a crowd if you are inviting friends over!.
Recipe Notes for the Best Shepherd's Pie Ever!
So, you're ready to make my Proper Shepherd's Pie with Cheddar Mash? Ace! Honestly, this is the best ground beef recipes comfort food going.
I’ve made this for years, it's one of my easy family dinner ideas . Here are a few extra bits to make it even easier.
Serving Up Smiles
Picture this: golden, bubbly cheese on top of creamy mash. That's what we're aiming for! For plating, spoon a generous helping onto plates.
Maybe add a sprig of rosemary. A simple green salad cuts through the richness nicely. Steamed green beans are also brill.
A cheeky glass of Merlot? Sorted! This dish is perfect for kid friendly dinner ideas .
Storage Ace
Got leftovers? You’re in luck! Pop the Shepherd's Pie in an airtight container. Fridge it within two hours of cooking.
It'll keep for 3-4 days . To freeze, let it cool completely. Wrap it well in cling film and foil. It'll last for up to 3 months .
Reheat in the oven at 350° F ( 175° C) until heated through. You can use this easy ground beef enchiladas filling and bake it the same method.
Twists and Turns
Fancy a change? Use ground beef or ground lamb for a Cottage Pie. Want veggie? Sub lentils. It's a ground recipes beef marvel.
For cheap ground beef recipes for a crowd , load it up with extra veg. Swapping russet potatoes with sweet potatoes is also amazing for some sweetness.
Nutrition Know How
Each serving clocks in around 450-550 calories. You also get 30-35g of protein, 20-25g of fat and 40-50g of carbs.
Remember, it's just an estimate. Beef gives you iron. The veggies add fibre. Its important to know things to make with ground beef!
Okay, now you're totally ready! This shepherd's pie recipe easy is going to be great. This guarantees you a spot among the best ground beef recipes for dinner ! Go on, get stuck in and enjoy this ground beef dinner ideas quick and easy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this Proper Shepherd's Pie with Cheddar Mash ahead of time? I'm a busy bee, you see!
Absolutely! The filling is a champ at being made ahead. Just cook it up to 2 days in advance, pop it in the fridge, and then assemble and bake when you're ready to go. If you are making the whole pie ahead of time, you may need to increase the baking time by 10-15 minutes to ensure it is heated all the way through.
What other things to make with ground beef can I use this recipe's filling for? I'm looking for versatility!
This Shepherd's Pie filling is super adaptable. Think of it as a flavour base! You could use it as a filling for hand pies or pasties (perfect for a picnic!), or spoon it over buttered toast for a hearty open faced sandwich. You could also toss it with cooked pasta for a quick and easy Bolognese style dish.
You could even turn it into a fantastic Irish Beef Stew by adding potatoes and root vegetables to the mix and letting it simmer for longer.
My spuds always end up gluey! Any tips for a fluffy cheddar mash topping?
Ah, the dreaded gluey mash! The secret is in the type of potato (russets are your friend!), and how you treat them. After boiling, make sure to drain them really well, and let them steam dry in the pot for a few minutes to get rid of excess moisture.
When mashing, use a ricer or a potato masher (avoid electric mixers, they overwork the starch!). Warm the milk and butter before adding it, and don't over mash. Gently fold in the cheese to keep things light and fluffy.
Can I freeze this Shepherd's Pie? I'm trying to meal prep like a boss!
You sure can! Let the pie cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, followed by foil, or place it in a freezer safe container. It'll keep well for up to 2-3 months. When you're ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge and then bake it at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and bubbly, about 30-40 minutes.
You may want to add a little extra cheese on top for the last 10 minutes to refresh the topping.
Is there a way to make this Proper Shepherd's Pie a bit healthier? Trying to watch my waistline, you know!
Absolutely! You could swap out the ground beef for leaner ground turkey or chicken. Use sweet potatoes or cauliflower mash for the topping to reduce carbs and add extra nutrients. You can also bulk up the filling with more vegetables, like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach, and use low-sodium beef broth to control the salt content.
Reducing the amount of cheese in the topping is another great way to cut back on calories and fat, without sacrificing too much flavour.
I'm out of Worcestershire sauce! What else can I use instead? I'm in a proper pickle!
Don't you fret! Worcestershire sauce adds a unique savoury flavour, but you can use a few different substitutes in a pinch. A splash of soy sauce will add umami and saltiness, or a dash of balsamic vinegar will provide some tang and depth. If you have any steak sauce on hand, a tablespoon of that would work well too.
Just remember to adjust the salt accordingly, as some substitutes are saltier than others. A combination of a small amount of soy sauce and a pinch of brown sugar can also mimic the flavour profile reasonably well.
Proper Shepherds Pie With Cheddar Mash
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 450-550 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 20-25g |
| Fiber | 5-7g |
