Shepherd's Pie Recipe With Frozen Pie Crust
Introduction
If you are looking for a hearty and delicious meal that can be made quickly and easily, look no further than shepherd's pie. This classic dish is made with a savory filling of ground meat and vegetables, topped with a layer of creamy mashed potatoes. Traditionally, it is baked in a casserole dish, but with the help of a frozen pie crust, you can make a delicious shepherd's pie that is easy to serve and even easier to make. In this article, we will walk you through the steps of making a shepherd's pie with a frozen pie crust.
Ingredients
Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients we will need:
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 frozen pie crust
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
Instructions
Now that we have our ingredients, let's get started:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground meat over medium-high heat. Drain the excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add the frozen peas and carrots, beef broth, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Place the frozen pie crust in a pie dish and prick the bottom with a fork to prevent it from puffing up.
- Pour the meat and vegetable mixture into the pie crust.
- Spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the meat mixture, making sure to cover it completely.
- Bake the shepherd's pie for 25-30 minutes, until the mashed potatoes are golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.
Variations
Shepherd's pie is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. Here are some variations to try:
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef or lamb for a lighter version of the dish.
- Add chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini to the vegetable mixture for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Top the shepherd's pie with shredded cheese before baking for a cheesy twist on the classic.
- Make individual shepherd's pies by using smaller pie dishes and dividing the filling and mashed potatoes among them.
Conclusion
Shepherd's pie is a classic dish that is perfect for a cozy night in or a family dinner. By using a frozen pie crust, you can make this delicious meal in no time. With a few simple ingredients and some easy-to-follow instructions, you can have a piping hot shepherd's pie on the table in under an hour. Give this recipe a try and enjoy the savory, comforting flavors of this traditional dish.
