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Instructions for Making Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes
Follow these steps to create your delicious Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes:
1. Bake the Potatoes:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and dry the russet potatoes, then pierce them a few times with a fork. Place them directly on the oven rack and bake for about 45-60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork. Remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.
2. Prepare the Filling:
- While the potatoes are baking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up into small crumbles as it cooks. Once browned, transfer the meat to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and carrot, and sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Return the ground meat to the skillet, then add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Stir in the peas and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Make the Mashed Potatoes:
- While the filling is simmering, peel and dice the potatoes for the mashed topping. Place them in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy. For a richer topping, you can add some shredded cheese into the mashed potatoes at this stage. Set aside.
4. Assemble the Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes:
- Once the baked potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides, leaving a small border of potato to form a bowl. You can save the scooped-out potato for mashed potato filling or another recipe.
- Spoon a generous portion of the ground meat filling into each hollowed-out potato half, pressing down gently to pack it in.
- Top the meat filling with a heaping spoonful of mashed potatoes, spreading them out evenly to cover the top. For an optional cheesy topping, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the mashed potatoes.
5. Bake the Assembled Potatoes:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the filled potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the filling is heated through. If you’ve added cheese, it should be melted and bubbly.
6. Serve:
- Remove the Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy these hearty, delicious individual pies as a main dish for lunch or dinner!
Tips for Perfect Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes
- Make It Vegetarian: You can easily make this dish vegetarian by using lentils or mushrooms instead of ground meat. Add some extra herbs and spices to enhance the flavor.
- Try Different Toppings: Feel free to experiment with different mashed potato toppings. You could add roasted garlic, grated Parmesan, or even a drizzle of olive oil for a more Mediterranean twist.
- Use Leftovers: This is a great recipe to use up leftover mashed potatoes or meat. It’s an easy way to turn leftovers into something new and exciting.
- Add Extra Veggies: You can increase the nutritional value by adding other vegetables to the filling, such as spinach, corn, or even butternut squash.
Conclusion
Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes are a fun and delicious twist on a classic comfort food that’s sure to become a family favorite. With tender ground meat, flavorful vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes all packed into a perfectly baked potato, this dish combines all the best elements of Shepherd’s Pie into a simple, individual serving. It’s easy to make, customizable to your tastes, and perfect for meal prep or a cozy dinner. Try this recipe today for a hearty, satisfying meal that’s full of flavor and love!
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