When the cold breeze hits and we begin to bundle up, there’s an innate longing for food that feels like a warm hug. Enter the iconic shepherd’s pie – crowned with a golden layer of melted cheddar that crunches and gives way to a melody of savory ground beef, wholesome veggies, and a rich gravy. Every spoonful is a symphony of warmth and deliciousness.
Growing up, evenings laden with the aroma of shepherd’s pie baking in the oven were special. The scent always evokes a sense of nostalgia, whisking me back to my childhood days. I’ve taken a twist on my mother’s classic recipe by crowning it with a layer of cheddar, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors in this Cheddar-Crowned Shepherd’s Pie. Let’s make this delightful dish that’s bound to become a favorite in your home.
Iconic Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients:
6 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1/4 cup of milk
1/4 cup of butter
Seasonings: Salt and pepper
1 lb of minced beef
1 sizeable onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
A cup each of frozen peas and carrots
2 tbsp of flour
1 cup of beef stock
1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce
A tsp of dried thyme
A cup of shredded cheddar cheese
Cooking Directions:
Preheat your oven to a solid 400°F.
Boil the potatoes in a pot until they’re soft. Post draining, introduce milk, butter, and your seasonings. Mash these until you get a smooth texture.
Moving to a skillet, brown the beef over a medium flame. Introduce the garlic and onion and sauté until the onions are translucent.
Mix in your frozen veggies and let them cook for about 5 minutes.
Evenly dust your skillet contents with flour, mixing continuously.
Blend in the beef stock and Worcestershire sauce, stirring until you have a thickened gravy.
Sprinkle in the thyme, giving it another couple of minutes of mixing.
Transfer this hearty beef filling to a baking dish.
Layer the beef with your creamy mashed potatoes.
As a crowning glory, sprinkle the shredded cheddar atop.
Bake this for roughly 20-25 minutes, waiting for that golden-brown perfection on top.
Let it rest for a moment and then, dig in!