Cindys Shepherds Casserole Recipes

CINDY'S SHEPHERD'S CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 400. Prepare a 9X13 casserole dish (or something similar) by spraying it with Pam.
• Prepare your Instant Mashed Potatoes using the directions on the box. Thoroughly mix in heavy cream, egg yolk, and 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese. Set aside. *You can also make mashed potatoes from scratch using approximately 4 medium potatoes, a splash of milk, 4 TBSP. butter, salt & pepper. Even better would be to use left-over mashed potatoes if you have them.
• In a large skillet, brown and drain your ground beef.
• Add your onions and carrots to the ground beef and continue to heat until the carrots and onions begin to soften, and the beef is brown. Turn off heat and set aside.
• In a small saucepan, make a rue with your butter and flour. Add the Worcestershire sauce and beef broth/stock. When the mixture is heated add the beef bouillon cube (or kitchen bouquet). Whisk constantly until the sauce/gravy is thickened, turn off the heat, and set aside.
• Add your peas and gravy/sauce to your beef mixture (or you can save your peas for the top of the casserole like my husband prefers). Mix thoroughly and add salt and pepper to taste.
• Spread your beef/gravy mixture evenly on the bottom of your prepared casserole dish.
• Layer your mashed potato mixture on top. Spread evenly. Use fork tongs to create lines on the top of the mashed potatoes and to help with browning.
• Sprinkle the last 1/4 cup of parmesan over the top of the casserole and then sprinkle it with the paprika.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

SHEPHERD'S CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook beef and onion until meat loses redness.
• Drain fat.
• Stir in green beans, Hunt's sauce and 1/2 cup cheese.
• Pour in shallow 10" x 6" x 2" casserole.
• Spread mashed potatoes over meat mixture.
• Sprinkle remaining cheese over top.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

TRADITIONAL SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Place potatoes in large saucepan and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Stir in 1 tablespoon salt and place pot over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Cook until potatoes are fork tender, about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and drain.
• Return potatoes to the hot pan and set over the same burner. Add milk and 2 tablespoons butter; allow butter to melt from the residual heat. Mash potatoes with a potato masher until smooth. Stir in Cheddar cheese, sour cream, egg yolk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside while you prepare the filling.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
• Heat olive oil and remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and carrot and cook, stirring constantly, until onion begins to turn translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add lamb and beef and cook, crumbling with a spoon and stirring often until browned, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle meat mixture with flour, remaining salt and pepper, rosemary, and thyme. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.
• Add beef stock, tomato paste, and Worcestershire; cook, scraping any flavorful bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring mixture to a simmer. Cook until thickened and vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in peas. Transfer mixture to the prepared casserole dish and top with the prepared mashed potatoes.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden and bubbly around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.