Ultimate Cheesy Shepherd's Pie Casserole

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook: Fancy a Bit of Comfort?

Ever get that craving for something proper and hearty? well, best casserole recipes often hit the spot. today, we're diving headfirst into an ultimate cheesy shepherd's pie casserole , a dish that's basically a hug in a baking dish.

The magic lies in the savory meat filling and that golden, cheesy potato crust.

Brief Overview: A Twist on a Classic

Shepherd's pie, originating from humble british beginnings, is classic casserole recipes at its finest. this version is a slight twist on the old classic.

It's a medium-difficulty recipe, taking about an hour and fifteen minutes to make. one casserole yields about 6-8 servings.

Main Benefits: Hearty Goodness

This casserole is hearty comfort food at its absolute finest. the ground meat and potatoes provide a good source of protein and carbs, perfect for a filling family meal.

Serve it on a chilly evening or any time you need a bit of cheer. what makes this recipe special? that cheesy potato topping, obviously!

Ultimate Cheesy Shepherd's Pie Casserole Recipe Card

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Preparation time:30 Mins

Cooking time:45 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
• 1 large onion, diced (about 1 cup, 150g)
• 2 carrots, diced (about 1 cup, 150g)
• 2 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup, 150g)
• 1.5 lbs ground lamb or beef (680g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (25g)
• 1 cup beef broth (240ml)
• 1/2 cup frozen peas (80g)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (30ml)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (15g)
• 3 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and quartered (1.36kg)
• 1/2 cup milk (120ml)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (57g)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (120g)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (113g), divided
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

• Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in olive oil until softened.
• Add ground lamb or beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
• Stir in garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
• Sprinkle flour over the meat mixture and cook for 1 minute. Gradually stir in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened.
• Stir in frozen peas and remove from heat.
• Boil potatoes until tender. Drain and return to the pot.
• Mash potatoes with milk, butter, sour cream, salt, and pepper until smooth. Stir in 3/4 cup of the cheddar cheese.
• Pour the meat filling into the baking dish. Spread the mashed potato topping evenly over the meat.
• Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the potato topping.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
• Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450-550

Fat:20-30g

Fiber:5-7g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:British

Let's Talk Ingredients: Meat Filling Magic

Alright, first, the meaty base. you'll need 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks.

We are going to get them soft in the frying pan. then you'll need 1.5 lbs ground lamb or beef.

Also grab 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon each of dried thyme and rosemary, half a teaspoon of salt, and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper.

Mix in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of beef broth, half a cup of frozen peas, 2 tablespoons of worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon of tomato paste.

This blend creates a rich, savory flavor that complements the cheesy potato topping perfectly. The peas add a pop of sweetness and color. Worcestershire is your friend in this recipe, trust me!

Cheesy Potato Dream

Now for the star of the show: the potato topping! grab 3 lbs of russet potatoes, peeled and quartered. you'll also need half a cup of milk, 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, half a cup of sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (divided, obvs!), a quarter teaspoon of salt, and an eighth of a teaspoon of black pepper.

Favorite casserole recipes must include good cheese. this combo creates a creamy, cheesy cloud that blankets the savory meat filling.

The cheddar will melt into ooey-gooey perfection in the oven. don't skimp on the cheese; it’s the best bit!

Alright, let's talk ingredients and kit, yeah? for my take on best casserole recipes , it's all about quality and a bit of love.

This ultimate cheesy shepherd's pie casserole? it's more than just a meal; it's a hug on a plate.

Ingredients & Equipment: The Nitty-Gritty

Let's break down what you'll need. No need to stress. You probably have most of this already.

Main Ingredients: Sorted!

Right, so, for the meat filling, you're gonna want:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of olive oil. Quality olive oil makes a difference. Trust me.
• 1 large onion , diced. About 1 cup (150g) , give or take.
• 2 carrots , diced. Again, roughly 1 cup (150g) .
• 2 celery stalks , diced – you guessed it, around 1 cup (150g) .
• 1.5 lbs (680g) of ground lamb or beef. Quality is key here. Look for a good colour.
• 2 cloves of garlic , minced. Fresh is best, innit?
• 1 teaspoon each of dried thyme and dried rosemary.
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
• 2 tablespoons (25g) of all-purpose flour.
• 1 cup (240ml) of beef broth.
• 1/2 cup (80g) of frozen peas.
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) of Worcestershire sauce. The secret ingredient!
• 1 tablespoon (15g) of tomato paste.

For the cheesy potato topping:

• 3 lbs (1.36kg) of russet potatoes, peeled and quartered.
• 1/2 cup (120ml) of milk.
• 4 tablespoons (57g) of unsalted butter.
• 1/2 cup (120g) of sour cream.
• 1 cup (113g) of shredded cheddar cheese, divided.
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper.

Seasoning Secrets: Spice Up Your Life!

Thyme and rosemary are essential here. they bring that classic, comforting flavour. worcestershire sauce? don't skip it! it adds a depth that's just divine.

Feel free to chuck in a bay leaf while the sauce simmers. just remember to take it out before serving!

Equipment Essentials: Keep It Simple!

You only need a few bits and bobs. Don't stress if you don't have the fanciest stuff.

• A large skillet or Dutch oven for the meat.
• A big pot for boiling the potatoes.
• A potato masher (or an electric mixer if you're feeling fancy).
• A 9x13 inch baking dish.

Honestly, you can get away with a fork for mashing, and a casserole dish of any size. the most important thing is getting those popular casseroles baked! these easy casserole recipes for dinner are all about embracing simplicity and flavor.

Time to create one of my favorite casserole recipes ! if you like this recipe, you will definetely like the ground beef casserole recipes .

Cooking Method: Shepherd's Pie Casserole - Proper Comfort Food!

Right then, let's talk about making this cracking ultimate cheesy shepherd's pie casserole. it’s more than just easy casserole recipes for dinner it's a hug in a dish.

Seriously, this is one of my favorite casserole recipes and it’s a real crowd-pleaser. we all need that hearty comfort food now and again, don't we?

Prep Steps: Mise en Place, Mate!

First things first, get your mise en place sorted. that's french for "everything in its place," you know? chop up 1 large onion , 2 carrots , and 2 celery stalks – about 1 cup (150g) each, diced.

Mince 2 cloves of garlic . weigh out 1.5 lbs of ground lamb or beef (680g). this makes life so much easier.

It really does save time if you do it like that.

Step-by-Step to Casserole Heaven

1. Sauté 1 cup (150g) diced onion, carrots, and celery in 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml) until softened.
2. Brown the 1.5 lbs ground lamb or beef (680g) in the same pan. Drain any fat. It’s proper important that you brown the meat.
3. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper . Blimey, that smells good.
4. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (25g) over the meat. Cook for a minute. Gradually add 1 cup beef broth (240ml), 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (30ml), and 1 tablespoon tomato paste (15g). Simmer until thick.
5. Stir in 1/2 cup frozen peas (80g). Take the filling off the heat.

From Potatoes to Perfect Topping

Boil 3 lbs russet potatoes (1.36kg) until tender. mash them with 1/2 cup milk (120ml), 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (57g), 1/2 cup sour cream (120g), 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper .

Stir in 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (113g).

Assemble and Bake

Pour the meat filling into a 9x13 inch baking dish . spread the mash on top. sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (113g).

Bake at 375° f ( 190° c) for 25- 30 minutes , until golden and bubbly. let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Pro Tips for a Top-Notch Casserole

Don’t overcrowd the meat when browning. this gets you that nice, deep flavor. worcestershire sauce is your best friend. it adds a real depth to the flavor.

Use a good mature cheddar for the topping. cheesy casserole recipes are all about the cheese, right?

This make ahead casserole recipes is fab because you can prep it ahead. perfect for a busy week. this version easily fits into the list of popular casseroles .

You can also find inspiration by looking at ground beef casserole recipes . for a family casserole recipes , it's always a winner.

Recipe Notes

Right then, let’s talk shop about this ultimate cheesy shepherd's pie casserole. this isn’t just any old recipe; we are talking about the best casserole recipes , and i've poured my heart and soul into making this a winner.

Honestly, i’ve made a few blunders along the way (burnt cheese, anyone?), so i'm passing on some hard-earned wisdom. it's one of my favorite casserole recipes , perfect for a chilly night.

Serving Suggestions

Presentation is key, innit? think about serving individual portions straight from the baking dish. a sprig of rosemary on top just elevates it, you know? for sides, a simple green salad cuts through the richness beautifully.

Steamed green beans? classic. and some crusty bread? essential for soaking up that lovely gravy. for a beverage, try pairing it with a pint of a good ale.

Storage Tips

So, you've got leftovers? lucky you! for refrigeration, pop the casserole in an airtight container and it'll be good for 3-4 days.

Freezing? absolutely! just let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in cling film and foil. it’ll keep for up to 3 months.

When reheating, defrost overnight in the fridge, then bake at 350° f ( 175° c) until heated through. microwave works in a pinch, but you want a crispy topping.

Variations

Fancy a tweak? for a vegetarian version, swap the meat for lentils or a veggie mince. it’s still proper hearty comfort food .

If you are feeling adventurous, use sweet potatoes for the topping. it adds a lovely sweetness. this is one of the family casserole recipes my kids always request, and it's so versatile.

I love these easy casserole recipes for dinner because they can be adapted to all sorts of dietary needs.

Nutrition Basics

Alright, let's keep it real. while this casserole is proper lush, it’s not exactly a health food, right? each serving is roughly between 450-550 calories.

But hey, life’s too short to only eat salads! plus, you're getting a good dose of protein (30-40g), and fibre (5-7g), from the meat and veggies.

I find it can be one of the popular casseroles and it’s so satisfying that a small portion is usually enough.

So there you have it. these classic casserole recipes like this are a staple for good reason. don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own.

Cooking should be fun, not a chore! this is definitely one of the best casseroles if i do say so myself.

Time to get cooking!