Quick Comfort Shepherd's Pie
Experience the rich flavors of a classic Shepherd's Pie in just 30 minutes with this Quick Comfort Shepherd's Pie recipe. Layered with tender mashed potatoes, savory ground beef, and a medley of vegetables, this dish is not only satisfying but also a perfect weeknight meal to please the whole family. Delight in the creamy texture of the potato topping, enhanced with sour cream and egg yolk, that perfectly contrasts the hearty filling made with carrots, peas, and a savory gravy. Perfect for sharing with loved ones, this dish is sure to become a go-to comfort food staple in your kitchen.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Potatoes
2 lbs (peeled and cubed)
Sour cream
2 tablespoons (none)
Egg yolk
1 (none)
Cream
1/2 cup (none)
Salt
to taste (none)
Pepper
to taste (none)
Extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
Ground beef
1 3/4 lbs (none)
Carrot
1 (diced)
Onion
1 (diced)
Butter
2 tablespoons (none)
Flour
2 tablespoons (none)
Beef stock
1 cup (none)
Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons (none)
Frozen peas
1/2 cup (none)
Paprika
1 teaspoon (none)
Fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Start by peeling and cubing the potatoes. Place them in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 12 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a mixing bowl.
2
In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, egg yolk, and cream. Add this mixture to the drained potatoes and mash until the texture is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3
While the potatoes are boiling, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and then the ground beef, seasoning it with salt and pepper. Brown the beef for about 3-4 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon.
4
Next, add the diced carrots and onions to the skillet, stirring frequently. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the vegetables become tender.
5
In a separate small skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light golden brown.
6
Slowly whisk in the beef stock and Worcestershire sauce, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens, about 1 minute. Pour the gravy over the browned meat and vegetable mixture in the large skillet and stir well to combine. Fold in the frozen peas.
7
Preheat your broiler to high. Spoon the beef and vegetable filling into a small rectangular casserole dish. Evenly dollop the creamy mashed potatoes on top of the filling, smoothing them out gently with a spatula.
8
Sprinkle the paprika over the mashed potatoes for added color and flavor. Place the casserole under the preheated broiler, about 6-8 inches from the heat source, and broil for 5-7 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
9
Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley leaves. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Quick Comfort Shepherd's Pie?
It is a 30-minute version of the classic comfort dish featuring savory ground beef, vegetables, and a creamy mashed potato topping.
How long does it take to prepare this recipe?
This recipe is designed to be completed in approximately 30 minutes.
What type of meat is used in this Shepherd's Pie?
The recipe calls for 1 3/4 lbs of ground beef.
How are the potatoes prepared for the topping?
The potatoes are peeled, cubed, and boiled in salted water for about 12 minutes until tender.
What ingredients make the mashed potatoes creamy?
The potatoes are mashed with sour cream, an egg yolk, and cream for a rich, smooth texture.
What vegetables are included in the filling?
The filling includes diced carrots, diced onions, and frozen peas.
How is the gravy for the meat mixture made?
The gravy is made by creating a roux with butter and flour, then whisking in beef stock and Worcestershire sauce.
How long should the ground beef be browned?
The beef should be browned for about 3-4 minutes over medium-high heat.
What is the purpose of adding an egg yolk to the potatoes?
The egg yolk enhances the creamy texture and helps the potato topping set and brown under the broiler.
At what temperature should the dish be broiled?
The oven broiler should be set to high.
How far should the dish be from the broiler heat source?
The casserole should be placed about 6-8 inches from the heat source.
How long does the dish stay under the broiler?
It should be broiled for 5-7 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy.
What seasoning is used for the meat?
The ground beef is seasoned with salt and pepper during the browning process.
Why is paprika added to the recipe?
Paprika is sprinkled over the mashed potatoes for extra color and flavor before broiling.
What is the suggested garnish for this Shepherd's Pie?
The dish is garnished with fresh parsley leaves before serving.
How much beef stock is required?
The recipe requires 1 cup of beef stock.
When do you add the frozen peas?
The peas are folded into the meat and gravy mixture just before transferring it to the casserole dish.
How long do the carrots and onions need to cook?
They should be stirred frequently and cooked for about 5 minutes until tender.
What kind of oil is used for cooking the beef?
One tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil is used to heat the skillet.
How much Worcestershire sauce is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce.
What type of dish is best for baking?
A small rectangular casserole dish is recommended for this recipe.
How much butter and flour is needed for the roux?
You will need 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour.
How long should the roux cook?
The butter and flour mixture should cook for about 2 minutes until it is light golden brown.
How many potatoes are needed for the topping?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of potatoes.
Is the potato topping smoothed out?
Yes, the creamy mashed potatoes are dolloped on top and gently smoothed with a spatula.
How much sour cream is added to the potatoes?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of sour cream.
Can I serve this dish immediately?
It is recommended to let the dish cool for a few minutes after removing it from the oven before serving.
What is the amount of cream used in the potatoes?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of cream.
What provides the savory depth to the meat filling?
The combination of the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, and the roux creates a savory gravy for the filling.
Is this recipe suitable for weeknights?
Yes, it is specifically described as a perfect weeknight meal because it is quick and satisfying.