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A delicious Crockpot Shepherd's Pie with mashed potatoes, ground beef, and vegetables, ready to be served.

Ultimate Crockpot Shepherd's Pie

This ultimate Crockpot Shepherd's Pie recipe combines tender, flavorful meat with a creamy, mashed potato topping for a comforting and delicious dish. The key is understanding the science behind the ingredients and cooking process to achieve the perfect texture and balance of flavors.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: British
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground lamb or beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 cups mashed potatoes
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Crockpot
  • mixing bowls
  • Peeler
  • knife
  • spatula
  • Spoon

Method
 

  1. In a large skillet, brown the ground meat over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks.
  2. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
  4. Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture to a crockpot. Top with the mashed potatoes, spreading them evenly over the surface.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the potatoes are heated through and the edges are lightly browned.
  6. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top and let it melt, about 5 minutes.
  7. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

For best results, be sure to brown the meat and cook the vegetables thoroughly to develop the flavors. Spreading the mashed potatoes evenly over the filling and cooking them slowly in the crockpot is the key to achieving the perfect creamy, golden-brown topping. This dish can be made ahead and reheated, and the leftovers also freeze well for future meals.