What do you put in YOUR Shepherds Pie?

MercierGirl

I think its kinda crazy/cool how so many people make theirs so differently! I make mine with ground turkey, I make my own cream of mushroom soup to go on top of that, then corn, and homemade mashed potatoes! My SIL makes hers with ground beef, canned cream of mushroom, peas and boxed mashed potatoes. How do you make yours?

DevonPow

I like to use ground lamb, but in a pinch use ground beef. Corn, peas, carrots, tomato paste, garlic, a little chicken broth, some various spices. Then I like to make mashed potatoes with cream or half and half. Not a light dish!

akayf

either ground turkey or beef.   I dump that into the dish with a box of frozen peas and carrots, a can of beef broth, a dash of worsheshire sauce and some garlic.   Then I spread mashed potatoes all over it and sprinkle a little paprika on top.  

MercierGirl

Oh and I forgot I sautee mushrooms, onions, and garlic and put that before the corn! Both of yours sounds good! Ill have to try it with a broth...does it seem to make it more moist do you think?

Ciarrai

I use ground lamb if/when I can find it and have it, but mostly ground beef.  Brown and grain.  Then I add water, brown gravy mix, some chopped up onions and usually a dark beer and simmer till it gets all thick and yummy.  That's my bottom layer.  Then I put corn (or carrots or peas or any combination) for my second layer.  And homemade garlic mashed potatoes on top.

brightning

Is it weird that I've never made or even eaten it before?

HarrietNJMommy

I use Rachael Ray's recipe as my base. Typically I use beef, but I will use lamb too.

MercierGirl

Brightning- I had it a lot growing up. Thats why its one of my fav meals. Plus its so easy and versatile that most people can make it and like it! 

kelbrian

I use this recipe.

Shepherd's Pie with Scallion-Cheese Crust

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1.5  pounds ground beef
• 2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped very small
• 1/2 pound cremini mushrooms
• 1 level tablespoon tomato puree
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 1 level tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 1/2 cups fresh beef stock
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Mashed potatoes:  5 medium red potatoes, 2 tablespoons butter, milk to preferred taste/texture, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  
• 1 cup scallions, cleaned and chopped
• 1 cup mature Cheddar, coarsely grated
• 1 cup frozen corn
  

Directions

• Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven or deep saute pan.
• Brown the beef. Remove the meat from the pan with a slotted spoon, drain half the grease.
  
• Add the onions to the pan and saute until the onions are tinged brown at the edges - about 5 minutes. Add the chopped carrots and cook for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms, tomato puree, thyme, parsley and cinnamon. Stir and saute for 2 minutes.
• Next, stir in the flour, which will soak up the juice, then stir in the wine and the beef stock.
• Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.
• Return the meat to the pan and bring to a boil. Cover, turn down the heat to low and simmer - add a bit of flour to thicken liquid, if needed.
• Make the mashed potatoes: Peel the potatoes, cut them into large even-sized pieces and place into a pot of cold, salted water. Bring the water to a boil and cook potatoes until they are tender, about 10 minutes. (Potatoes are done when a knife can easily go through.)
  When the potatoes are done, drain off the water, return them to the saucepan, cover with a clean tea cloth to absorb the steam and leave them for about 5 minutes.  Next, add the butter and milk and mash them to a puree. Season with salt and pepper.
• Assemble the casserole - When the meat is ready, spoon it into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and level it out with the back of the spoon and add corn. After that, spread the mashed potato evenly all over. Sprinkle the scallions on top of the potato, scatter the cheese over the scallions and bake the pie until the top is crusty and golden, about 25 minutes.
  

jen5-03

i don't think of mine as "real" shepherds pie, but just a quick and weeknight shepherds pie-ish dish.

Brown ground beef and onion. Add thyme. Push meat to sides. Make a roux in the middle. Add beef bouillon and water to make gravy. Add 4 cups frozen mixed veg. Simmer until veggies are done. Serve on top of mashed potatoes (real or boxed).

MirandaHobbes

My husband is an Aussie and he likes Paula Deen's recipe the best- mashed potatoes on the bottom, mixture of ground beef/tomato sauce/spices/frozen peas and carrots, then top with bisquick. It's carbolicious.