One of the world’s great comfort foods waiting for you in your crock-pot.
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You probably won’t find many dishes with the same illustrious history as shepherd’s pie. It’s been around since the late 1700s when it was a popular dish for the less affluent people in Scotland since it was a good way to use leftovers. Centuries later, people of all financial backgrounds can enjoy shepherd’s pie. Most people who love it consider it comfort food. I know for years my parents used to go to the same restaurant every Monday because they had a special for shepherd’s pie.
However, you don’t have to go to the nearest British pub like my parents did to eat shepherd’s pie. Not when there is an easy way to make it in a crock-pot. This means all you have to do is prepare the ingredients, place them in the crock-pot, and wait a few hours for it to be ready. Technically, it may not be an actual pie if you cook it in a crock-pot. But all of the same ingredients are there, so I promise you that it tastes just as good.
If you enjoy shepherd’s pie but you’re on a strict diet, you’re in luck. I can share with you a recipe for Paleo Shepherd’s Pie. You won’t even notice the difference between this paleo-friendly recipe and traditional shepherd’s pie.
Is Crock-Pot Shepherd’s Pie Healthy?
There are definitely pros and cons of shepherd’s pie from a health standpoint. With the combination of meat and vegetables, there are plenty of vitamins and nutrients in this dish. Specifically, there is a massive amount of vitamin A and protein in this dish, not to mention plenty of potassium, fiber, iron, and vitamin C, among other nutrients. However, it’s a little high in sodium and cholesterol while the 7 grams of saturated fat make up 44% of the recommended total in one meal. This recipe may not be good for every diet and should perhaps be enjoyed in moderation.
So Many Choices?
With a dish like shepherd’s pie, there is always wiggle room to customize it if you wish. The first decision to make is between beef and lamb. Some people will tell you that this should be called cottage pie if it’s made with beef whereas shepherd’s pie is made with lamb. However, you should feel free to choose either type of meat and still call it shepherd’s pie. It’s just semantics, right? All that matters is that it tastes good.
Likewise, you also have some options when it comes to the vegetables and potatoes. For instance, I don’t always enjoy eating peas. Instead, I would just load up on carrots and corn. If you don’t like one of those vegetables, feel free to replace it or omit it altogether. You can also prepare the mashed potatoes any way you like. I know some people like to use garlic mashed potatoes in their shepherd’s pie. Other people might use cauliflower mashed potatoes to help make the recipe a little healthier. As always, the choice is yours.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cups mixed frozen vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
INSTRUCTIONS
Brown
Cook beef with aromatics and seasonings.
Layer
Assemble beef and vegetables in the slow cooker.
Top & Cook
Add mashed potatoes and cheese; slow cook.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
With crock-pot shepherd’s pie, it’s easy to prepare the dish ahead of time and let it simmer in the crock-pot until you’re ready to eat. For leftovers, place them in a sealed container. If kept in the fridge, you should have a few days to enjoy the leftovers.
By adding a few tablespoons of flour while cooking the beef, you can create a thicker shepherd’s pie because the extra starch will help to absorb liquid.
Serving Suggestions
Even though there are vegetables in shepherd’s pie, I would still recommend something green as a side dish. This can be an ordinary garden salad or perhaps a Mediterranean Low Carb Broccoli Salad. If you want a simple vegetable dish, I would recommend Instant Pot Green Beans or Shaved Brussels Sprouts.
Crock Pot Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cups mixed frozen vegetables carrots, peas, corn
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
-
In a skillet, brown the ground beef with onion, garlic, salt, and pepper until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
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Stir in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce into the beef mixture until well combined.
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Transfer the beef mixture to a greased slow cooker and spread it evenly. Layer the frozen vegetables on top of the beef.
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Spread the mashed potatoes over the vegetables, creating a smooth top layer.
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Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours. In the last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the mashed potatoes and continue to cook until the cheese is melted.
Nutrition
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