Healthy and Easy Shepherd's Pie that you'll want to make again!
Shepherd's Pie is hands down one of my favorite meals to make for my family. It's our comfort food when we're down to the last days of groceries in the refrigerator.
I always keep frozen ground beef in the freezer because you never know when you will need it. With that being said, keeping frozen veggies is a must too. If you're running out of time, you can whip this meal up lickety split.
Let's talk SALT AND PEPPER. Salt and pepper are one of the most underrated ingredients. If used correctly, it won't take much to flavor any dish. A lot of recipes call for salt and pepper to taste, and mine does too. But throughout my recipes, you will see that I tell you to salt and pepper in layers. I do this because that is how you build nice flavor from start to finish.
This healthy and easy Shepherd's Pie is fun to make! Please let me know in the comments how this turns out for you. xoxo
Ingredients:
1-2 pounds lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 teaspoon bouillon (beef or vegetable)
2-3 pounds mashed potatoes (prepared to your liking)
1.5 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, etc.)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Paprika, for garnish
Instructions:
1.Prepare the Filling:
In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes. SALT the onion and a little pepper. You can also add a little water to the butter and onion to prevent burning.(Of course, you can add more butter too.)
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
Increase the heat to medium-high and add the lean ground beef to the skillet. LIghtly Salt and pepper the meat. Brown the meat, breaking it apart with a spatula, until fully cooked, approximately 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.2.Season the Filling:
Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix well to combine.
Add the can of tomato sauce and the 1 teaspoon of bouillon to the skillet. Stir to combine and let simmer for about 5 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a little water to reach your preferred consistency.
Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are heated through.3. Prepare the Mashed Potatoes:
While the filling is simmering, prepare your mashed potatoes. Peel and wash 3 pounds of potatoes. Boil in salted water for 15 minutes. Drain potatoes and immediately add butter, milk, salt and pepper. Stir until creamy and smooth. The key to good mashed potatoes is stirring in milk, butter, salt, and pepper when piping hot. according to your favorite recipe. You can make them creamy with milk and butter or keep them chunky.4. Assemble the Shepherd's Pie:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (200°C).
In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish or a similar-sized casserole dish, spread the beef and vegetable filling evenly across the bottom.
Carefully spread the mashed potatoes over the filling, smoothing it out with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Make sure to cover all the filling.
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the mashed potatoes.5.Bake:
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are slightly golden.6.Garnish and Serve:
Once done, remove from the oven and sprinkle a pinch of paprika on top for garnish.
Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy!
This hearty Shepherd's Pie is perfect for a cozy family dinner. Enjoy each comforting bite of this classic dish!
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