Easy Shepherd’s Pie (Freezer-Friendly)
This super easy Shepherd’s Pie is not only rich and delicious, but it is also makes a great frozen Shepherd's Pie to stock your freezer. It is full of meat and vegetables in a rich beef and tomato sauce topped with creamy mashed potatoes and a sprinkling of cheese.
Servings per Recipe: 6 servings
Calories per Serving: 395
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Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, lamb, venison, or elk
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
- 1 packet dry brown gravy mix (.87 ounces), plus water as needed to prepare
- 3 ounces tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups prepared mashed potatoes
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, for filling
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Chop 1 medium onion.
- Thaw 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables.
- Preheat oven to 400º F.
- Brown 1 pound ground beef and sauté the onion together in a large fry pan. There should be enough fat from the meat to sauté the onion, but if the meat is low in fat, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil.
- While the meat and onion are cooking, prepare 1 packet dry brown gravy mix (.87 ounces) as directed on the package.
- When the meat and onions are cooked, add the mixed vegetables, prepared brown gravy, 3 ounces tomato paste, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
- Place the meat mixture in the bottom of a baking dish (see notes regarding baking dish).
- Mix ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese with 4 cups prepared mashed potatoes, and season with 1 teaspoon garlic salt and pepper to taste.
- Place large spoonsful of mashed potatoes on top of meat mixture and spread gently to create a uniform layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese on top of the potatoes.
- Bake at 400° F for 25 minutes. (If you are using a deeper dish you may need to extend the cooking time.)
Notes
If you prefer your potatoes soft, use a deep rounded dish which will result in a thicker layer of potatoes. If you prefer a crunchier topping, use a shallow rectangular casserole dish so the potatoes will be in a thin layer.
This Shepherd's Pie recipe can be frozen two ways:
- Prepare up to but not including baking, then wrap with freezer wrap and freeze. To use, thaw and bake as directed.
- Prepare the meat mixture and freeze it only, then thaw, place in a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes and ½ cup cheddar cheese and bake as directed.
Nutrition
Calories: 395cal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 1153mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Net Carbohydrates: 40g
