Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Shepherds Pie


Simple comfort food. That is what this dish is all about. Mom used to make shepherds pie when we were little and I remember loving it (although I always wished for more cheese melted on the top and now that I'm in charge, I get it!! Haha!) I have been feeling like comfort food lately. Probably due to the fact that I have a brand new (adorably sweet) baby girl that joined our family one month ago! There is something about having a baby that makes me crave food that I grew up with. Most of those recipes are simple and pretty healthy, and often include potatoes. (Mom came from an Irish background!) This is such a basic dinner that I have never posted it on here before - it's not nearly exciting enough I thought! But as I made it for dinner tonight I figured, since I enjoy it so much, why not share it? It's easy (especially if you're using leftover mashed potatoes), you can make it ahead of time, it has simple ingredients, and most kids love it too. So on an evening when you don't feel like tackling anything crazy and complex, here is a family-pleasing alternative to slaving on a gourmet meal!


Mom's Shepherds Pie



submitted by Brittany at www.thesisterscafe.com
printable recipe here

1 lb ground beef (I use ground turkey)

1 onion, chopped

1 can green beans (or 1.5 cups frozen green beans)

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1 8oz. can tomato sauce

2-3 cups mashed potatoes (about 5 medium potatoes)

shredded cheese (cheddar, Colby jack or a combination)


Brown ground turkey with chopped onion in a skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle with garlic salt. Stir in tomato sauce and green beans. Pour into a 9x13 inch pan or a large casserole dish. Scoop mashed potatoes on top of meat mixture and spread evenly. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake in 350 degree oven about 30 minutes.

*This is one of those recipes that really isn't a recipe... so all amounts are an approximation. Mom would make this when we had leftover mashed potatoes from Sunday dinner or something. You can use more meat or less potatoes or whatever you like! Enjoy.

11 comments:

  1. Because I'm not a shepard pie fan, I'll just say that your little girl is really precious!!! Congratulations!

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  2. I love shepherd's pie, I just never think ti make it. Will have to add this to an upcoming weeknight menu!

    What a sweet baby! She's gorgeous! Congratulations.

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  3. Oh my goodness that baby is precious! I just want to sqoosh her! Congratulations!

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  4. Well, I think that second picture wins the prize for the best picture on the website! She is so adorable. Just seeing her makes me smile. What an angel.

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  5. Love a good shepherd's pie! Will definitely try.

    Congrats on your baby girl. She's gorgeous!

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  6. Love Shepards pie...just like my Mom's recipe (which Marie Osmond shared when she was on the Michael Douglas show) and my kids love it. Your baby is beautiful too!

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  7. What a beautiful baby!

    Shepherd's pie is one of my favorites from growing up, too. My mom would add sweet canned corn in with the green beans, and she used cream of mushroom soup instead of tomato, which is quite lovely as well.

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  8. That is so funny that you said that you always wished for more cheese, because that is exactly what I remember wishing, too! :) I love Shephard's Pie. I agree that it is such a comfort food. What a good idea for making it right after a baby. And speaking of which... she is more than adorable.

    I should make it this week while it is cold and blustery here. Once when you made it here, you gave Griff and I the leftovers and I hardly got a bite b/c Griff liked it so much. :)

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  9. Hi,

    We lived in the UK and this is also a staple and favourite in my home, but I had never seen it with green beans before! Extra healthy! :)

    Thanks for the idea,
    Bird
    p.s. - don't mean to be anal, just thought you'd like to know over there we call it Shepherd's pie when there is ground lamb in the pie and Cottage pie when there is beef. Just trivia.. :)

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  10. Hi Bird, that was so interesting to know that shepherd's pie is actually made with ground lamb! THanks for telling me! I love learning stuff like that. :)

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  11. This was a super delicious way to use up my leftover mashed potatoes from a roast dinner we had earlier this week. They would have otherwise gone to waste. But I will always keep this recipe for leftover mashed potatoes in the future. We thought it was really delicious! And it was SO FAST, too. Thanks!!

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