Shepherd's Pie

[Deleted User]

Does anyone have a tried and true recipe for Shepherd's Pie (well, actually Cottage Pie, cause I'm going to use beef, not lamb, but I know they're made the same).  FI really wants me to make a Shepherd's Pie, but of course he doesn't have a recipe he wants me to use.  He did a "search" and presented me with the first 2 recipes that Google popped up - both were very high in fat and by the time I would be finished buying all of the necessary ingredients for each, it certainly wouldn't be a "poor man's dinner" as Shepherd's Pie is supposed to be.

So, I did my own search and found 5 or 6 different simple sounding recipes.  I asked him to pick one - he said they all sound good, try one.  So, I tried the first one on the list and he grumbled the entire time I was making it that it didn't look or sound like any Shepherd's Pie he'd ever eaten.  He said the meal was good (in fact he finished it off, no leftovers), but it's NOT Shepherd's Pie.

Anyone got a good recipe I can try?  Thanks.

Beads921

I don't have any recipes for Shepherd's Pie. I never liked it at all! If someone has a really good sounding one though, maybe I'll try it.

babybchbum

I alwys use leftover mashed potatoes... frozen mixed veggies.. ground beef with light seasoning (often leftover taco meat) and cheese.

Tastes good and helps clean out the fridge.

prasad007

Keep in mind that I'm a vegetarian, but it is my understanding that a traditional Shepherd's Pie is leftovers from a pot-roast dinner (minced meat, veggies, gravy, and mashed potatoes).

Now, I have made them before for my FI. I wanted it to be healthy, so I used ground turkey. Basically, I sauteed a bunch of onions, garlic, carrots, peas and celery with herbs, salt and pepper. I browned the turkey and mixed the two pots together. Then I took about a cup of soup stock and a tablespoon of cornstarch and added it to the meat and veggies so it formed a gravy-like sauce. I put it all in a baking dish and topped it with homemade garlic mashed potatoes, and baked it until the potatoes were browned. My mom, sister and FI loved it!

calindi

I sautee ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic and Worchestershire sauce.  Meanwhile, I put some diced potatoes in a pot to boil for the mashed potatoes.  While the beef is browning and the potatoes cooking, I make a packet of beef gravy (those packets you can buy and just add water and bring to a boil).  I pour the beef on the bottom of a pan, cover it with gravy.  Then I drain a can of corn and microwave some frozen baby peas.  I spread those on top of the beef. Then I make mashed potatoes (drain the potatoes, add milk and butter and pepper and a little salt, whip with beaters for a fluffy texture).  I spread the mashed potatoes on top, then sprinkle a little chedder cheese on top.  Put it in the oven, let the top get a little crispy, then let sit for 10 minutes to set.  Delish!

Now I'm thinking I might make that tomorrow... good idea!

[Deleted User]

Thanks guys - I'll see what FI thinks about these ideas.

[Deleted User]

I've been wanting to make a shepherds pie for a while now... I may have to steal a recipe too!

Wrkn925

I haven't had that since high school.  They ruined it for me.

It was:
bland ground beef
topped with imitation mashed potatoes
and cheees slices.

I'd like to actually have some with seasoning.

calindi

Ask him what he thinks when he says "Shepherd's Pie" - for me, if there isn't peas and corn, it's not Shepherd's Pie.  I hate carrots in it, because that's not what I grew up with.  Also, for me, the meat and veggies are separate.  Some people prefer to mix them.  Again, all preference.  Once you know what he likes, it'll be easier to find a recipe.

KD+BC

My Sheperd's Pie

1 pound ground beef
1 can cream of whatever soup
1 can of corn
2 packets of instant mashed potatoes (real mashed when I'm feeling ambitious)

Brown the ground beef in a skillet. Mix cooked ground beef with can of cream of whatever (I use chicken because FI doesn't like mushroom) and corn and pour into the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Make instant (or real) mashed potatoes and put on top of beef mixture. Back until lightly browned.

It's super easy and super delicious.

MLekathLEEN

My recipe is basically the same at KD's but add some cheddar cheese on the top. FI's mom made a tater tot casserole which is basically the same thing as shepards pie but with tater tots..it was amazing.

You could also use turkey meat instead to make it a bit healthier.

[Deleted User]

They all sound so good...hopefully FI will like one of these