Shepherd’s Pie Loaded Fries (Printable)

Crispy fries topped with savory ground beef and melty cheese for ultimate comfort food enjoyment.

# What You Need:

→ Fries

01 - 26 ounces frozen French fries or homemade, cut thick
02 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ Shepherd's Pie Topping

03 - 14 ounces ground beef or lamb
04 - 1 medium onion, finely diced
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 medium carrot, diced
07 - 3.5 ounces frozen peas
08 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
09 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free if needed)
10 - 0.5 cup beef or vegetable stock
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Cheese

13 - 5.3 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss fries with vegetable oil and arrange on a lined baking tray. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and crisp, turning halfway.
02 - While fries bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef or lamb and cook for 5 minutes, breaking up any lumps, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, and diced carrot to the pan. Stir and cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
05 - Pour in beef or vegetable stock, bring to a simmer, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the mixture is slightly thickened. Add frozen peas and continue stirring for 2 minutes to heat through.
06 - Transfer baked fries to an ovenproof serving dish. Spoon hot meat mixture evenly over fries, then sprinkle grated cheddar cheese across the top.
07 - Return dish to oven for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
08 - Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired and present immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses freezer and pantry staples you likely have on hand
  • Ready in under an hour
  • Hearty enough for a meal yet perfect for sharing
  • Crowd-pleaser for adults and kids alike
02 -
  • Rich in protein and fiber
  • Can easily be adapted for gluten-free diets
  • A fun twist that is perfect for sharing or weeknight dinners
03 -
  • Hand cut your fries thick for best texture
  • Always grate cheese yourself for best melt and flavor
  • Let the meat mixture cool slightly before assembling This helps keep the fries crisp
  • Remember to taste and adjust seasonings at every step I learned early on that Worcestershire sauce can vary in saltiness
  • This dish is guaranteed to please both comfort food fans and anyone craving something a little special

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