Traditional Shepherd's Pie
Original Kaboose.com recipe and photography by Rosemary Black
Average User Rating:
Shepherd's pie is a hearty one-dish meal that has a topping of mashed potatoes over a rich meat filling. Thanks to instant mashed potatoes and a jar of gravy, this version is streamlined to the point where you can have it on the dinner table in an hour. All you need to serve with it is a tossed green salad.
Ingredients
- 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1/2 small onion, chopped fine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-1/4 pounds lean ground beef
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
- 1 cup purchased beef gravy
- 2-1/2 to 3 cups mashed potatoes from a mix (follow the directions for 6 servings)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, saute the carrots and onion in the olive oil for about 5 minutes, or until soft. Add the ground beef and cook for 10 minutes or until it is done, breaking it up with a large spoon as it browns.Drain any accumulated fat from the beef mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the frozen corn kernels. Spoon the mixture into the baking dish. Pour the gravy over the ground beef mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
- While the beef mixture bakes, prepare the potatoes according to the directions on the box. Spoon the mashed potato topping over the meat mixture, spreading it out so that it is even.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg with the milk. Brush the egg-milk mixture evenly over the mashed potato topping.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake it for 10 minutes. Remove and set oven to broil. Broil the shepherd's pie for 5 minutes, or until the mashed potatoes are golden brown.
Substitution(s)
- You could make this with ground turkey instead of ground beef, and you could use other vegetables besides corn. Feel free to add a clove or two of chopped fresh garlic to the skillet when you add the onion.
- For a different flavor, sprinkle some grated cheddar cheese on top of the mashed potatoes rather than brushing with the egg and milk mixture. Broil briefly.
- For picky eaters, leave out a portion of plain mashed potatoes and a spoonful of the ground meat and vegetable mixture. Often kids will eat foods when they're not "all mixed together."
Make-Ahead
This dish can be made and baked early in the day. Cover lightly and refrigerate. Bake until very hot in a preheated, 350 degree F oven.
25 minutes
Cooking Time:
35 minutes
Ready In:
60 minutes
Servings:
6
How kids can help
Kids can help by measuring the ingredients, mixing the milk and egg for the topping, and brushing on the topping.
RELATED RECIPES
Traditional Corned Beef Supper
Mustard Crusted Corned Beef
Corned Beef Hash
RELATED FEATURES
St. Patrick's Day Recipes
St. Patrick's Day Recipe Slideshow
St. Patrick's Day Leftovers Recipes
