Easy Shepherds Pie

Sometimes you just need something to be a bit easier! Shepherds Pie is a favourite in my house but can be a bit involved because of the mashed potato topping and sometimes I just don't have enough time. 

Recently I learned this little trick. Instead of using mashed potatoes I topped a Shepherds Pie with frozen diced potatoes. I also made two Shepherds Pie at once and put one in the freeze. Brilliant if I do say so myself!!

Each Shepherds Pie makes about 6 servings. 

Ingredients

• 2 lb lean ground meat - I used beef
• 2 large onions, diced
• 2 tsp. canola oil
• 750 g bag of frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 kg bag of frozen diced potatoes, divided into two
• 3 tbsp. flour
• 1 ½ cup beef stock 
• 1 ½ tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 ½ tsp. freshly chopped rosemary leaves
• 1 ½ tsp. freshly chopped thyme leaves
• salt and pepper to taste

If you plan to freeze one pie you will need 2 large sealable freezer bags.

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400 F.
• Heat canola oil in a large pan over medium heat, then sauté onions until translucent about 5 minutes.
• Add ground meat and cook thoroughly. Breaking up the meat as it cooks.
• Sprinkle flour over meat and stir well.
• Add beef stock, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme and salt and pepper. Stir well and bring to a boil and let simmer until the sauce thickens.
• Add in frozen mixed vegetables and stir well.
• Transfer half the meat and vegetable mixture to an 8 x 8 casserole pan.
• Top the meat mixture with half of the frozen diced potatoes.
• Bake in the oven for 35 minutes.

To Freeze one Shepherds Pie

• Allow the other half of the meat mixture to cool and then transfer into a large sealable freezer bag.
• Seal the bag with the remaining frozen diced potatoes. Place this bag and the bag with the meat mixture together in a labeled sealable large freezer bag and freeze.
• When you are ready to make this Shepherds Pie defrost meat for 1 day in the fridge. Transfer to an 8 x 8 baking dish and top with potatoes and bake for 35 minutes at 400 F. 

Enjoy!

Shannon RD

Registered Dietitian