Mini Shepherd’s Pies
ShareIndividual Shepherd’s pies are filled with seasoned beef, vegetables and topped off with your choice of mashed yellow or sweet potatoes.
So I’m finally done with Friday Night Lights. It was kind of anticlimactic, especially since I was watching it in bulk some days. I’m also slightly bummed with how they ended it. It wrapped up nicely but there were people and story lines missing that I had hoped to see again. Still… well done and a really enjoyable series.
Now I’m moving on to another series for my crack of dawn workouts. TV shows are the perfect length for weekday workouts since I can only really squeeze in about 45-50 minutes before I need to get myself ready and get the kids up. I’d watch a movie but I really hate stopping and starting unless it’s just for a super quick break. 48 hours break is kind of a bit much.
Even though I totally added Dawson’s Creek to my Amazon watchlist (you know you want to watch it again), I think I’ll be starting with Alias. I vaguely remember watching a few episodes back in the day, but never really got into the series. That was probably well before dvr, or at least for us, so maybe that’s why? Pick and choose your favorites and that’s what you’ve got. Only now we can record and watch our favorites. Kids sure are spoiled these days, then again so are we!
Were you an Alias fan?
Let’s talk cold weather comfort food, shall we? Mac n cheese, pizza, soup, chili, chicken pie and of course… Shepherd’s pie. They’re all perfect meals for these cooler months we’re heading into. There’s just something super delicious about a hearty warm dinner, packed with seasoned beef and vegetables, especially when it’s topped off with creamy mashed potatoes. You can never go wrong adding mashed potatoes to a dish. Of course, if you prefer you can opt for mashed sweet potatoes instead.
Maybe it’s just me but personal dishes are just cuter. They offer a prettier presentation and since making personal sized portions doesn’t add any extra time to your prep, there is no reason not to! Plus, if you are one to usually have leftovers, you’re already prepping your leftovers ahead by making personalized sizes.
Mini Shepherd's Pies
Ingredients
- 2 lb russet or sweet potatoes
- 3-4 Tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1/4 C unsalted butter
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 3/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 C yellow onion chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 C celery chopped
- 1/2 C carrots chopped
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 C whole kernel corn
- 1/2 C peas
- 4 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Peel and chop potatoes. Add to a large saucepan and cover with water. Cook over medium high heat for 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain. Mash as desired, adding cream, butter, salt and pepper to taste. Potatoes should be smooth and spreadable consistency.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook beef with onions, celery, carrots, garlic and seasonings. Drain fat as needed. When beef is nearly cooked through, add tomato paste, stirring well.
- In a large bowl, combine beef mixture with peas, corn and shredded cheese. Divide among four 10oz ramekins. Top off with mashed potatoes.
- Bake for 30 minutes. If desired, lightly char mashed potatoes using a handheld kitchen torch.
Notes
More dinner recipes to try:
Taco mac and cheese
Loaded mashed potato pizza
Deep dish Chicago style pizza
Garlic and dijon slow cooker chicken
Chicken Parm meatballs
Bacon wrapped meatloaf
Slow cooker Italian wedding soup
Slow cooker chicken tortilla soup
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I’m seriously wondering if we hacked into each other’s blog accounts and wrote our posts for each other. Hahaha..so crazy. I loved the ending of FNL but I agree, I wish they brought back some of the other characters. I’m still trying to get into Scandal…wish me luck. So far, I’m blah about it. I know, I’m like one in 702345897. I’ve been meaning to make shepherds pie for a really long time and i just haven’t had the chance – you’re making me want to now!
hahaha always on the same page without planning it ;)
I so agree with the ending of FNL. I loved it, nut I still wanted more! Such a good show!
Love the pies! Mini is always so cute!
Thanks Tieghan! I wish there were more! It’s too bad they didn’t continue but I guess every show has it’s run.
Hi Rachel,
This looks like a yummy recipe and I can’t wait to try it (we have lots of venison and I may try it with that).
Alias was a fun series. We somehow missed it while it was current and ended up watching one (or two) a night until we finished the series. It was definitely over the top (as far as believability is concerned) sometimes, but you do get involved in the characters and it would probably be a good one for your workouts (just beware there will be some cliffhangers – you’ll be tempted to continue the workouts on some days).
I didn’t realize Alias was going to be hour long episodes… sure was a surprise this morning when I was expecting a 40/42 minute show! Had to stop early ;) But I’m already intrigued so that’s good!
This looks like the perfect cold weather comfort food. I love that they’re individual servings–I don’t like to share. Pinned!
Thanks Jennie! Sharing food is way overrated ;)
This is seriously one of my husband’s favorite meals. I need to make more often!! This looks so good!
Yes definitely! And that way you can keep all of those brownies to yourself ;)
OMG you have to watch Homeland… I think it’s a Showtime series, but you could definitely rent the blu-ray or dvd for the first season! So SO good!
Speaking of so SO good… these pies! I’m loving that you piped the potatoes… it really makes these look stellar!
We caught up on Homeland over the summer and added Showtime just so we can watch it now. Great show!
Yum! I love ordering shepherds pie when I’m out but never think to make it at home. Must give your recipe a try soon!
We’ve always been the reverse. I don’t know why it never occurs to me to order comfort homey food when out to eat.
These are so adorable! My hubby would probably down 10 in a row, he LOVES shepherds pie!
Thanks Meghan! :)
Rachel this looks all sorts of COZY!! Those potatoes on top are all sorts of fluffy heaven. I still haven’t started FNL – I really need to move that up on my must watch list. But I’m trying to get trhough Dr. Quinn, too! The choices!!
OMG you HAVE to watch FNL. You’ll love it, promise.
These look so delicious! I love the way the potatoes look. Yum! Great job.
Mmmm….now you have me craving sheperds pie! Seriously, I love your photos. And ditto what Laurie said. WATCH HOMELAND!
Love that you made these individual-sized! And I was obsessed with Alias…hello Bradley Cooper and Michael Vartan! The last season was terrible though.
Get out of here with these! I LOVE these little shepherd’s pies, Rachel! What a fun idea to top them with mashed sweet potatoes, too. A fun twist on one of my favorite dishes!
Was I an Alias fan? I was in love with Bradley Cooper long before the rest of the world knew he existed!
I miss FNL but am also loving Nashville where Connie Britton went…if that’s of any interest.
Now I’ve been told that this is a cottage pie if with beef and a shepherd’s pie has lamb. I’ve been told that because I have a beef one on my blog that I call shepherd’s pie too…but thought I would share! Lovely piping!
I’ll have to see if Netflix has Nashville. I’m pretty sure Amazon doesn’t have it free for Prime members otherwise I’d totally start that! So far so good with Alias and only one episode in. :)
OMG, I loved Alias so much! Old school Jennifer Garner and Bradley Cooper – the best :) Shepherd’s pie is one of my favorite comfort foods, but I rarely make it because Shane isn’t big on the veggies. I’ll just have to drop by your house!
You should puree the veggies into the beef and trick him lol ;)
I love the individual portions of these! My husband loves this meal and now he will have just the right portion I choose :)
lol that you choose… love it and thank you :)
This is so perfect for me :) I love shepherds pie so much! I can’t wait to make this!
I haven’t had shepherds pie in like forever! Love the individual portions of yours! I’m not sure what show to tell you to watch…I’m still reeling that you get up at the buttcrack of dawn to work out! I need your motivation…but I like my sleep more! LOL!
I used to try to workout during lil man’s nap but then I lost productivity time for other things. Ah well! Up with the birds and early to bed ;)
Oh my gosh are these not the cutest things!!! And I bet they taste good too!
These look amazing! I so shouldn’t blog read before dinner… craving everything :) I hate when a series I’m watching from beginning to end ends. Its like reading a good book series, sad to see the character stories end.
Love the personal portions and you made them so pretty! Great comfort foo!
Thanks Gaby :)
Haha, I totally watched Dawson’s Creek again recently. It’s so funny watching it again as an adult.
These mini pies are so cute! I love the piped potatoes!
That’s kind of my fear with it but I figure it could be a good laugh :) And thank you!
OMG! Rachel these Sheperd’s Pies were Amazing I am so going to make them again! Thank you !!
So glad to hear you enjoyed them! :)