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!Â
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.
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.
Toss in some frozen veggies, and you’re nearly there!
While I was making the filling, I whipped up ~4 cups worth of mashed potatoes on a burner next door.
Assembly time!
Pour the filling into an oven-proof casserole dish then top with mashed pa’tators. Pop into the oven for 20 minutes, and…
BINGO!
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?
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.
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
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Pour beef mixture into a large, oven-proof casserole dish then top with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with garlic salt.
- 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.
Meat & potatoes at its finest. Savory and so comforting!
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!
Dream Mom 03.17.2011
Oh, I just love the part about falling into the mashed potato tunnel of love. Made me laugh! Seriously, the pie looked very easy and oh, so delicious!
As for Dairy Queen, it would have to be a Butterfinger Blizzard. Cold Stone Creamery would have to be my first pick however-their Cake Batter Ice Cream is to die for…seriously, I only go there once a year because it’s just too rich and too many calories. My favorite ice cream treat right now are these organic ice cream bars at Whole Foods for $3.39 (3 in a box) and they are 250 calories/bar. I usually slip one of these babies into my cart once a month or so.
Tara @The Game of Life 03.17.2011
Omg I am the icecream queen… I get so mad when my boyfriend doesnt want icecream!! hah
Dairy Queen: Chocolate Extreme Blizzard
my favorite is Braums: Chocolate soft serve icecream with reeses!!!
Emily 03.17.2011
you’re nephew is SO cute!!!! i want one!
Sharon 03.17.2011
On a side note-I have become addicted to the Peanut Balls! I always have some in my fridge to nibble on if I am craving something sweet. Tonight I added coconut, and it was amazing!!! You need to try it! :)
Sarah @ The Pajama Chef 03.17.2011
hahaha my husband’s birthday is today & he gets the day off from work, so he’s been parked in front of the TV allllll day :) but it’s his birthday so i can’t complain :)
Darcy @ Ginger's Goodies 03.17.2011
Cookie jar! MINI! plus a little beer ;)
Kelli H 03.17.2011
I totally know what you mean. I always have random cravings for sweets but he never does! I’m more of a frozen yogurt girl these days and our town has lots of them! My favorite is this one called Yogurt Farms. Delicious! I love their Red Velvet Cake flavor!
Sharon 03.17.2011
My husband has to have his four, heaping scoops of ice cream every night! But he will only eat Vanilla, Cookies ‘N Cream, or Cookie Dough!
emily ruth 03.17.2011
My fiance NEVER wants to go out for ice cream! I have to beg him. I refuse to go alone because it is a slippery slippery slope : )
j/k 03.17.2011
Butterfinger Blizzard or Lemon soft-serve from the local ice cream shop.
my little celebration 03.17.2011
BANANA CREAM PIE BLIZZARD. And yes I had to put it in all caps because it’s that serious. I LOVE those things!
Kristin from MN 03.18.2011
Oh yes I agree!!! I love banana cream pie blizzards too!
Lindsay @ The Reluctant Runner 03.17.2011
I’ve never been able to eat DQ ice cream because something in it makes my tongue sting! It’s the weirdest thing, it must be an allergy or something, I don’t know. I also gave up ice cream at the end of last summer because I’m lactose intolerant and decided to stop pretending I wasn’t, but I think just one time this summer I’m going to get my favorite thing from the ice cream stand down the street: chocolate soft serve with marshmallow sauce. I might even throw some sprinkles on there!
Stephanie 03.17.2011
What an awesomeeeeee dinner, you did a fantastic job on that Shephard’s Pie!!!!
I’m totally a Reese’s PB Cup Blizzard girl… ooooo those are my weakness!
Clare @ Fitting It All In 03.17.2011
Love that you celebrated with an Irish dish! I made Colcannon last night!
And I think I’m getting the best of all worlds…beer earlier, a processed sugary green cookie sandwich for dessert, and now basketball!
wish I could have had a shamrock shake though!
Lesley 03.17.2011
That shepherd’s pie does look pretty life changing. Are those huge chunks of garlic on top of the potatoes? Yummy!
My favorite blizzard flavor is a triple tie between Reese’s, Heath, and Butterfinger…..I guess I like my candy, haha. Standard ice cream parlor favorite is cookies n’ cream!
Britt 03.17.2011
wow i’m really glad you posted this recipe bc i’ve been looking for a simple shepards pie recipe for weeks now but I couldn’t find one I liked. I will deff. be making this sometime this week. Looks amazing. I made homemade Irish soda bread today. BTW I went to bedbath&beyond and they didn’t have the donut pan!!
:( Guess I’ll have to order it online..
jen 03.17.2011
I’m in love with Peachwave, our self serve frozen yogurt place. It’s ah-mazing!
Eve P 03.17.2011
I love coffee flavored Ice Cream, especially from Moo Roos in Waterloo/Cedar Falls. (Its a local dairy farm from Hudson, Iowa.)
Meredith 03.17.2011
That is my absolute favorite from Dairy Queen. I could eat one every day. My fiancé doesn’t really like mint things and I can never understand it. Mint Oreo blizzard= heaven!
stacy 03.17.2011
O.M.G.
your nephew is seriously too cute for words!!!!!