Homemade Shepherd's Pie (Better-Than Traditional!)

ground lamb

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Ground turkey is lower in fat, while ground beef is often more affordable.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier, and margarine can be a cheaper alternative.

Get 1.5 pounds of russet potatoes boiling.

Rinse and scrub the potatoes, then peel them using a vegetable peeler.

Cut the potatoes into one inch chunks.

Add the potatoes to a large Dutch oven or pot and cover with at least one inch of water.

Sprinkle in a pinch or two of salt and bring the water to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and keep at a rapid simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or until fork tender.

In a large skillet or saucepan, add 2 tablespoons of avocado or olive oil.

Add 1 cup of finely diced sweet or white onion and 3 ribs of finely diced celery to the skillet.

Saute over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes.

Add 3 cloves of finely minced garlic and continue sauteing for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

Push the vegetables to the side of the skillet and add 1.5 pounds of ground meat.

Cook for 7 to 8 minutes over medium heat until there is no pink remaining, using a potato masher to break it apart into fine crumbles.

Mix in 3 tablespoons of tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of flour, and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.

Add 3/4 teaspoon each of dried thyme, rosemary, and parsley, along with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix until combined.

Pour in 1.5 cups of beef broth and stir, bringing it to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes until thickened.

During the last 2 minutes of cooking, stir in 1.5 cups of thawed mixed vegetables.

Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot they were cooked in.

Add 1/2 cup of milk, 4 tablespoons of butter, and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (if using) to the potatoes.

Add 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.

Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy with very few chunks remaining.

Grab a large 7 by 10 inch baking dish and spray it liberally with nonstick cooking spray.

Add the ground meat filling to the bottom of the dish, spreading it out to completely cover it.

Place dollops of the mashed potatoes on top, evenly spaced.

Use a spatula to spread the mashed potatoes over the ground meat layer and create little peaks for a crispy edge.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the assembled dish for 25 to 30 minutes.

For an extra crispy topping, pop it under the broiler for a few minutes at the end.

Let it rest for 10 to 20 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens