Budget Shepherds Pie Cheesy Topping (Printable)

Hearty ground beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy cheddar mashed potatoes, baked until golden brown.

# 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 lbs 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

# Directions:

01 - Set oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Boil 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 black pepper until smooth and creamy; set aside.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add onion and carrots, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
05 - Add garlic and ground beef to the skillet; cook, breaking up meat, until browned and fully cooked.
06 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper; cook for 1 minute to blend flavors.
07 - Sprinkle flour over the mixture, stirring to combine; cook for an additional minute.
08 - Pour in broth, bring to a simmer, add peas, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the filling slightly thickens.
09 - Transfer filling to an 8x8 inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
10 - Spread mashed potatoes over the filling, smoothing the surface; sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top.
11 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the topping is golden and filling bubbles.
12 - Allow to cool slightly for a few minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Deliciously budget-friendly
  • Easy one-dish meal for the whole family
02 -
  • Make gluten-free by using cornstarch and gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.
  • Swap ground beef for lentils or plant-based mince for a vegetarian version.
03 -
  • Let the pie rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep layers intact.
  • Mash potatoes while hot for extra creamy texture.
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