Budget Shepherds Pie Cheesy (Printable Version)

Savory ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes, baked until golden and bubbling.

# What You'll Need:

→ Filling

01 - 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/lamb as alternative)
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 (cornstarch for gluten-free)
12 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Cheesy Mashed Potato Topping

14 - 1¾ lb 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 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, approximately 15 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
03 - Combine potatoes with butter, milk, half the cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper; mash until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add onion and carrots, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
05 - Add garlic and ground beef to the skillet; break up meat and cook until browned and fully cooked through.
06 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper; cook for 1 minute to incorporate flavors.
07 - Sprinkle flour evenly over mixture; stir and cook for an additional 1 minute.
08 - Pour in broth and bring to a gentle simmer; add peas and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
09 - Transfer filling to an 8x8 inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
10 - Spoon mashed potatoes over filling, smoothing the surface; sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese evenly on top.
11 - Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until topping is golden and filling is bubbling.
12 - Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving to enhance flavors and texture.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Budget-friendly ingredients for an easy main dish
  • Crowd-pleasing with cheesy, golden mashed potato topping
02 -
  • For gluten-free: use cornstarch instead of flour and check your Worcestershire sauce label
  • Lentils or plant-based mince are a delicious vegetarian substitute
03 -
  • Mix up the cheeses for more flavor depth
  • Add leftovers like corn for extra veggies and minimal food waste
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