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Top o’ the evenin’ to ya’!

That’s my happy St. Patrick’s Day greeting.

Ben and I were going to hit up an all-you-can-eat St. Paddy’s Day buffet at Hy-Vee tonight (unlimited Reubens & corned beef?!) but I thought nah, lets keep it homemade with The Best Shepherd’s Pie. EVER! 

I was kind of annoyed with myself for choosing to make this classic meat pie, originally known as Cottage Pie back in the late 1700s, instead of going to the buffet. I figured it would take at least an hour to make.

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Turns out it was actually a cinch! Just brown ground beef with onions and garlic, cook in flour, chicken broth, tomato paste and other seasonings, then simmer until thick.

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Toss in some frozen veggies, and you’re nearly there!

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While I was making the filling, I whipped up ~4 cups worth of mashed potatoes on a burner next door.

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Assembly time!

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Pour the filling into an oven-proof casserole dish then top with mashed pa’tators. Pop into the oven for 20 minutes, and…

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BINGO!

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Bubbling its little heart out as I pulled it out of the piping hot oven, which totally made me giggle. I just love it when comfort food smells, tastes and sounds like comfort food, you know?

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I scooped us out a big serving and almost fell into the tunnel of mashed potato love!!!

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The Best Shepherd’s Pie. Ever.

4.5/5 (17 REVIEWS)

Description

The Best Shepherd's Pie. Ever. is incredibly hearty, with beef and vegetables cooked in a savory gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes — the ultimate comfort food!

Ingredients

Serves 5-6

  • 4 cups prepared mashed potatoes
  • garlic salt
  • 1lb ground beef
  • 1/3 cup chopped onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 Tablespoons gluten-free flour OR all-purpose (dish will not be GF if using AP flour)
  • 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon gluten-free tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce)
  • 1 can (14.5oz) chicken broth
  • 2 cups frozen vegetable medley
  • salt & pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brown ground beef, onions and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When meat is completely cooked, sprinkle in flour and continue to saute for 1-2 minutes.
  2. Stir in tomato paste, worcestershire sauce, gluten-free tamari or soy sauce and chicken broth. Simmer for 5-6 minutes, or until sauce is thick. Turn of the heat then stir in frozen vegetables and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Pour beef mixture into a large, oven-proof casserole dish then top with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with garlic salt.
  4. Place casserole dish on a large sheet pan (in case the sauce overflows) then bake for 20-30 minutes, or until top is golden brown. Scoop onto plates then serve.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

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Meat & potatoes at its finest. Savory and so comforting!

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Ben took his first bite…

“omg, this is life altering right now. This is the best Shepherd’s Pie you’ve ever made…”

“It’s the only Shepherd’s Pie I’ve ever made.”

“No…” (makes horrible face)

“Oh. Right. That Shepherd’s Pie. So it’s only the best when compared to the second AND worst Shepherd’s Pie I’ve ever made…”

“Um, yeah I guess so.”

ENJOY!

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