Michael Davis
Shepherd's Pie is a hearty dish that is perfect for cold weather. While there are many variations of the recipe, a traditional shepherd's pie is made with lamb and is considered a classic comfort food. A popular twist on the original recipe is to use ground beef, and many recipes also include a creamy sauce made with cream of mushroom soup. This sauce is a great shortcut ingredient that makes the filling thick and creamy with minimal time and effort. The pie is topped with mashed potatoes, which can be made with butter, sour cream, milk, salt, and pepper.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Ground beef, lamb, turkey, or chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables |
| Additional ingredients | Butter, sour cream, milk, salt, pepper, beef stock, flour, garlic |
| Type of dish | Comfort food, cold-weather favorite |
| Flavor | Rich, savory, creamy, hearty |
| Recipe tips | Use a cast-iron skillet or ovenproof pan, serve immediately after baking |
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What You'll Learn
Shepherd's Pie with Cream of Mushroom Soup
Shepherd's Pie is a classic comfort food that can be made in many different ways. One popular variation is to include cream of mushroom soup, which adds a creamy texture and flavourful sauce to the pie. This can be made from scratch or using a can of condensed mushroom soup as a shortcut.
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Frozen vegetables (peas, corn, carrots)
- Herbs and spices (dried parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper)
- Worcestershire sauce
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Potatoes
- Butter
- Sour cream
- Milk
Instructions:
- Prepare the filling by browning the ground beef in a skillet.
- Add the frozen vegetables, herbs, and spices to the skillet and cook until tender.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and cream of mushroom soup. Simmer until combined and gravy forms.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper according to taste.
- In a separate pot, boil potatoes until fork-tender. Drain and return to the pot.
- Add butter, sour cream, and milk to the potatoes. Whip with an electric mixer or use a hand masher until smooth and creamy.
- Season the mashed potatoes with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the filling to an oven-proof dish. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top.
- Bake the shepherd's pie in the oven at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the potatoes are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
This recipe creates a hearty and comforting shepherd's pie with a creamy mushroom sauce and fluffy mashed potatoes. It is a perfect dish for a cold day and can be customised with different types of meat and vegetables.
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Hearty Beef and Mushroom Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's pie is a classic comfort food that can be made in countless ways. While a traditional shepherd's pie uses lamb, many recipes call for ground beef instead, as it is more affordable and accessible. This beef and mushroom shepherd's pie is a hearty and flavourful take on the classic dish.
To make this recipe, start by cooking the ground beef with onions and vegetables of your choice. For a more colourful and nutritious dish, you can add sweet red peppers, corn, and carrots. Mushrooms are also a great addition, as they add a savoury, earthy flavour that pairs well with the beef. You can use either fresh or dried mushrooms, but be mindful that dried mushrooms may affect the consistency of the filling.
Once the beef and vegetables are cooked, it's time to make the gravy. One option is to use a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup, which creates a creamy and thick sauce with minimal effort. Alternatively, you can make a gravy by thickening beef stock with flour and cooking it directly in the skillet with the beef. This results in a super-rich flavour.
Finally, top the beef mixture with mashed potatoes. For a healthier option, you can substitute mashed cauliflower for the potatoes. Add butter, sour cream, milk, salt, and pepper to taste, and mix until smooth. A thicker mashed potato topping is recommended for this dish.
Bake the shepherd's pie in the oven until the top is golden brown and crusty, and the sides are bubbly. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this hearty and comforting dish with your family and friends!
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Shepherd's Pie with Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
A traditional shepherd's pie is a hearty dish of ground meat and vegetables topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden. While the classic recipe uses lamb, it is more common to use beef in the US due to its affordability and accessibility.
To make Shepherd's Pie with Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes, start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large skillet, melt some butter over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté for a few minutes until translucent. Next, add your ground meat of choice—whether it's lamb, beef, or a combination of the two—and break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Season the meat with salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and garlic. You can also add other ingredients like parsley, Worcestershire sauce, and flour. Cook the meat until it is browned and no longer pink.
For the vegetable component, you can use a mix of peas, carrots, corn, and/or other frozen vegetables. Sauté these with the meat and onion mixture, ensuring they are tender. You can also add a layer of creamed corn between the meat and mashed potato layers for an extra creamy texture. At this point, you can also add some gravy to the mixture, either homemade or store-bought. If making your own, deglaze the pan with broth and thicken it with flour to create a rich sauce.
Now, prepare the brown butter mashed potatoes. Boil some potatoes until tender, then drain and mash them with butter, half-and-half or milk, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add Parmesan cheese to the potatoes for extra flavor. The butter will give the potatoes a subtle crust and a warm golden hue when baked.
Spread the meat and vegetable mixture into an even layer in a baking dish. Carefully spread the mashed potatoes on top, creating a smooth layer. If desired, sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the potatoes for a crustier top.
Bake the shepherd's pie for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sides are bubbling. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and the dish to cool slightly.
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Shepherd's Pie: A Comforting, Healthy, and Delicious Meal
Shepherd's Pie is a comforting, healthy, and delicious meal that is perfect for warming you up on a cold day. This hearty dish is a true crowd-pleaser and is easy to adapt to your liking. While there are countless versions and adaptations, a traditional shepherd's pie is made with lamb, whereas a cottage pie is made with beef. However, in America, shepherd's pie is often used as a catch-all term for any type of meat pie with a mashed potato topping.
To make a shepherd's pie, you'll first want to prepare the mashed potatoes that form the top layer. Boil potatoes until they are soft, then drain and mash them. You can add butter, sour cream, milk, salt, and pepper to taste. For a brown butter variation, melt butter or ghee over medium heat until fragrant and browned, then stir in thyme and garlic. Pour this mixture over the mashed potatoes and stir through.
Next, prepare the filling by cooking ground meat or vegetarian meat substitute with vegetables such as onions, red peppers, corn, peas, or carrots. You can also add in herbs and spices like dried parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. For extra savoury flavour, add bacon bits or chorizo. To create a creamy sauce, stir in a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup or make your own with mushrooms and flour. You can also use French onion soup or tomato soup instead of mushroom soup.
Finally, assemble the pie by spreading the mashed potatoes over the filling in a cast-iron skillet or baking dish. You can sprinkle cheese on top for a gooey finish. Bake the shepherd's pie for around 15 to 30 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the potatoes are golden brown. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Shepherd's pie is a versatile and satisfying meal that can be customised to your preferences. It's a great way to use up leftover vegetables and meats, and the addition of cream of mushroom soup creates a creamy and flavourful sauce that ties the dish together. Whether you stick to the traditional recipe or experiment with different ingredients, shepherd's pie is sure to be a comforting and delicious treat for the whole family.
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Customising Your Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's Pie is a versatile dish that can be customised in numerous ways to suit your taste preferences and dietary requirements. Here are some ideas to make it your own:
Meat Options:
While traditional shepherd's pie typically uses lamb, you can easily substitute it with other ground meats such as beef, turkey, or even chicken. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, simply replace the meat with a plant-based alternative.
Vegetable Choices:
Feel free to add a variety of vegetables to your shepherd's pie. Frozen or fresh veggies like peas, corn, carrots, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, and onions can enhance the flavour, colour, and nutritional profile of your dish.
Mushroom Variations:
Mushrooms are a delicious addition to shepherd's pie, providing a rich umami depth of flavour. You can use fresh mushrooms or opt for convenience by adding canned cream of mushroom soup to create a creamy sauce that holds the filling together.
Potato Topping Twists:
The classic mashed potato topping can be customised in several ways. Try adding butter, sour cream, milk, or roasted garlic to your potatoes for extra flavour and creaminess. For a crispy texture, consider adding a layer of grated cheese to the top of the pie during the final minutes of baking.
Extra Ingredients:
Experiment with extra ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, herbs (parsley, rosemary, thyme), spices, bacon bits, or horseradish to elevate the flavour profile of your shepherd's pie.
Remember, shepherd's pie is a flexible dish that can accommodate your personal preferences and whatever ingredients you have on hand. Don't be afraid to get creative and make it your signature dish!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can put cream of mushroom in shepherd's pie. It is a common ingredient in shepherd's pie recipes.
Shepherd's pie is a traditional dish that consists of a rich, savoury meat filling and mashed potatoes on top.
The ingredients in a shepherd's pie typically include ground beef or lamb, vegetables like carrots, peas, and onions, and mashed potatoes on top.
Yes, you can make a vegetarian shepherd's pie by substituting the meat with mushrooms and plant-based protein crumbles.
Yes, shepherd's pie is a versatile dish that can be customised with various ingredients. You can add different vegetables, cheeses, or herbs like thyme to enhance the flavour.
