Shepherd's Pie (Cottage Pie) with Ground Beef

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Beef (lean (80/20))
• 1 medium Onion (diced)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced (or 1 tsp garlic paste))
• 1 cup Frozen Peas and Carrots (thawed)
• 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
• 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour (for thickening)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 tbsp Seasoning Blend (mix of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder)
• 1 tsp Dried Rosemary
• 1 tsp Dried Thyme
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
• 1 cup Beef Broth (low-sodium)
• 2 lb Potatoes (peeled and quartered (about 4 medium potatoes))
• 3 tbsp Unsalted Butter (cut into cubes)
• 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
• 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
• 1 tsp Dried Parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prep Ingredients

   Dice the onion, mince the garlic, measure all spices, thaw frozen peas and carrots, and peel and quarter the potatoes.

   Time: PT10M

2. Brown the Beef

   Heat a large skillet over medium‑high heat, add the ground beef and break it up. Cook until no longer pink, about 5‑7 minutes.

   Time: PT7M

   Temperature: medium-high

3. Sauté Aromatics

   Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.

   Time: PT3M

   Temperature: medium

4. Add Vegetables and Flavor Base

   Stir in the peas‑carrots mix, tomato paste, flour, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning blend, rosemary, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2‑3 minutes to coat the meat.

   Time: PT3M

   Temperature: medium

5. Simmer the Filling

   Pour in the beef broth, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook until the sauce thickens and coats the meat, about 5 minutes.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: medium

6. Boil Potatoes

   Place the quartered potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook until fork‑tender, 20‑30 minutes.

   Time: PT30M

   Temperature: high

7. Mash Potatoes

   Drain the potatoes and return to the pot. Add butter, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan. Mash until smooth but still slightly thick.

   Time: PT5M

8. Assemble the Pie

   Spread the meat mixture evenly in the bottom of the casserole dish. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the meat and smooth with a spatula. Use a fork to create a decorative pattern on the surface and sprinkle dried parsley.

   Time: PT5M

9. Bake

   Place the assembled pie in a pre‑heated 400°F oven and bake until the top is lightly golden, 20‑25 minutes.

   Time: PT25M

   Temperature: 400°F

Nutrition Facts

Calories

450

Protein

20g

Carbohydrates

35g

Fat

20g

Fiber

4g