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Cozy Shepherd’s Pie with Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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A comforting and easy shepherd’s pie topped with creamy garlic mashed potatoes, perfect for cozy nights and simple weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (150 g) frozen peas and carrots mix
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 2 lbs (900 g) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 4 cloves roasted garlic (or 2 cloves fresh)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk or cream
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 oz (60 g) cream cheese, softened
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Place peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot. Cover with cold water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
  2. While potatoes cook, roast garlic cloves by wrapping them in foil and baking at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes until soft. If short on time, mince fresh garlic and sauté it later with the beef.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil or butter. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Break it up with a spatula and cook until browned, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  5. Stir in tomato paste, dried thyme, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Add frozen peas and carrots, then pour in the beef broth. Allow mixture to simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Drain potatoes and return them to the pot. Add roasted garlic cloves, butter, cream cheese, and warm milk. Mash until smooth and creamy, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. For extra fluffiness, use an electric mixer on low speed.
  7. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spoon the beef mixture evenly into your baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes over the top, smoothing with a spatula. Use a fork to create texture on the potato surface.
  8. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the potato topping is golden and the filling bubbles around the edges.
  9. Let the shepherd’s pie rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Avoid over-mashing potatoes to prevent gluey texture; keep some lumps for better texture. Drain excess fat from beef to avoid greasy filling. Simmer filling uncovered to thicken. For a golden crispy top, broil for last 2-3 minutes watching carefully. Leftovers reheat well in oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: shepherd’s pie, garlic mashed potatoes, comfort food, easy dinner, ground beef, cozy meal

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