Crock Pot Shepherd's Pie With Instant Potatoes
Shepherd's pie is a classic comfort food that is loved by many. It is a hearty dish that is perfect for a cold winter night. This recipe takes the classic shepherd's pie and makes it even easier to make by using a crock pot and instant potatoes.
Ingredients
The ingredients you will need for this recipe are:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups water
- 1 package (4.7 ounces) instant mashed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Here are the instructions to make crock pot shepherd's pie with instant potatoes:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is tender. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, corn, peas, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, pepper, and water to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to a 5-quart crock pot.
- Prepare the instant mashed potatoes according to the package instructions.
- Spoon the mashed potatoes over the beef mixture in the crock pot.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the mashed potatoes.
- Cover and cook on high for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Variations
There are many variations you can make to this recipe to suit your tastes. Here are a few ideas:
- Use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of ground beef.
- Add diced carrots, celery, or bell peppers to the beef mixture.
- Use fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme instead of dried.
- Top the mashed potatoes with breadcrumbs before adding the cheese for a crispy topping.
- Use different types of cheese such as mozzarella or pepper jack.
Conclusion
Crock pot shepherd's pie with instant potatoes is a delicious and easy recipe that is perfect for a busy weeknight. The crock pot makes it easy to prepare and the instant potatoes make it even simpler. You can easily customize this recipe to suit your tastes by adding different vegetables or using different types of cheese. Give this recipe a try and enjoy a warm and comforting meal!