Ground Beef Shepherd's Pie

Name: Ground Beef Shepherd's Pie
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 3/4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled; 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick); 1/4 cup milk; 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped; 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced; 2 stalks celery, diced; Kosher salt; 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, preferably free-range or organic; 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 1/2 cup frozen petite peas

Beef St. Patrick's Day British Irish Ground Beef Worcestershire Sauce Peas Main Dish Easy

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6 servings Easy

Total: 1 hr 30 mins Active: 35 mins

2 Ratings

Ingredients (12)

1 3/4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
1/4 cup milk
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 stalks celery, diced
Kosher salt
1 1/2 pounds ground beef, preferably free-range or organic
1/2 cup beef or chicken broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup frozen petite peas

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Nutritional Information

Calories577
Fat38.79g
Saturated fat18.59g
Trans fat1.96g
Carbs33.03g
Fiber3.65g
Sugar5.48g
Protein24.65g
Cholesterol122.62mg
Sodium859.91mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (6 servings) Powered by

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A rich, well-seasoned, nicely browned shepherd’s pie is one of the world’s great comfort food dishes. It’s a simple meat stew, spread in a shallow baking dish, covered with mashed potatoes and baked until the whole thing is hot and bubbly, the top golden, crispy around the edges. You begin by making a batch of buttery mashed potatoes and setting those aside, Then you make a simple ground-beef stew with onion, carrot, celery, and sweet frozen peas. Assemble, send to a medium-hot oven for 20 minutes, and dinner is served.

For more savory pies, check out our Beef Short Rib and Ale Pie, Chicken and Mushroom Pot Pies, and Fish Pie.

by Kim Laidlaw

Tips for Beef and Ground Beef

Tip

How to Thaw Beef

As with most meat, the safest way to thaw beef is in the refrigerator. Small cuts of beef can take up to 24 hours, while larger slabs can take a few days. If you’re in a pinch, frozen beef can be thawed in a bowl or container of lukewarm water. Place the bowl or container in the sink and leave under a running faucet. Never allow raw beef to thaw or sit on a counter or cutting board. Since it takes longer to thaw than most meats, it is more susceptible to bacteria growth.

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Next: How to Freeze Beef

Tip

How to Freeze Beef

In order to effectively freeze beef, you’ll want to limit its exposure to air. This not only prevents the production of freezer burn, but also extends its shelf life to three months or longer. The best way to package beef is to wrap it tightly in freezer paper or plastic wrap. You should then wrap the meat in a layer of aluminum foil or place it in a plastic bag.

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Next: How to Store Beef

Tip

How to Store Beef

For ground beef, keep refrigerated and use within one to two days. It can stay in its original container if the packaging hasn’t been opened. Steaks follow the same protocol, but can last a bit longer at three to five days. It’s actually best to allow a little airflow with stored meat, as tightly-adhered plastic like Saran wrap can make meat sweat and, as a result, less tender. Meat can be transferred to plastic containers, but should be covered loosely.

Never refrigerate raw meat if it’s been sitting out beyond two hours.

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Next: How to Pick Ground Beef

Tip

How to Pick Ground Beef

The possibilities with ground beef are seemingly endless, though you’ll probably want to pay the most attention to cost and fat content. Naturally, the lower the fat content, the higher the price. A leaner meat; however, may not taste as moist and flavorful, so keep that in mind if you’re making a meal that’s prone to dryness (like meatloaf or hamburgers). Sometimes the extra fat can make or break a dish.

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Next: How to Thaw Ground Beef

Tip

How to Thaw Ground Beef

Like other meats, the best way to thaw ground beef is to leave it in the refrigerator. If you’re in a pinch, take out your frozen meat and place it on a plate under running cold water. A microwave may also work, but it is likely to start cooking your meat, which you’ll want to avoid.

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Next: How to Thaw Beef

Instructions

1Place the potatoes in a large saucepan of cold salted water, bring to the boil over medium-high heat and boil until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain in a colander, return the potatoes to the saucepan, add 4 tablespoons of the butter and the milk, and mash with a potato masher until smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt. Cover to keep warm until ready to use.
2To make the filling, in a large frying pan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and a big pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring, until browned. Pour off any fat, then add the broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the peas.
3Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a -quart shallow baking dish. Add the beef mixture in an even layer and then top with the mashed potatoes in an even layer. Use a fork to “ruffle” the top. Dot with the the remaining butter.
4Bake until the filling is bubbling and the top is golden, about 30 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.