Budget Shepherds Pie Topping (Printable)

Comforting dish of seasoned ground beef and veggies topped with creamy cheesy mashed potatoes, baked until golden.

# What You Need:

→ Filling

01 - 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/lamb for variation)
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 1 cup frozen peas
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
08 - 1 tsp dried thyme
09 - 1 tsp dried rosemary
10 - 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
11 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
12 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Cheesy Mashed Potato Topping

14 - 1¾ lb potatoes, peeled and chopped
15 - ¼ cup milk
16 - 2 tbsp butter
17 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
18 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Boil peeled and chopped potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
03 - Mash potatoes with butter, milk, half of the cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and diced carrots; cook for 5 minutes until softened.
05 - Add minced garlic and ground beef to skillet. Cook, breaking up meat, until browned and cooked through.
06 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute.
07 - Sprinkle flour over filling mixture, stir well, and cook for an additional minute.
08 - Pour in broth and bring to a simmer. Add frozen peas and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
09 - Transfer filling to an 8x8 inch baking dish and spread evenly.
10 - Spoon mashed potatoes over filling, smooth the surface, and sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top.
11 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the topping is golden brown and filling bubbles.
12 - Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Budget-friendly ingredients make this a wallet-conscious meal
  • Classic comfort dish that pleases all ages
02 -
  • Worcestershire sauce can contain fish, making it unsuitable for some diets
  • Use cornstarch and check labels for gluten-free and dairy-free adaptations
03 -
  • For extra flavor, try a mix of sharp cheddar and mozzarella in the topping
  • Use leftover vegetables to reduce food waste and boost nutrition
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