Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie: A Cozy Comfort Food Made Easy
Shepherd’s pie, a quintessential comfort food, has long been cherished for its rich flavors and hearty appeal. While traditionally a labor-intensive dish, this slow cooker version simplifies the process without sacrificing any of the deliciousness. With tender ground beef, savory gravy, and creamy mashed potatoes, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 3 teaspoons salt, divided
- 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
- 1 cup finely diced onion
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups finely diced carrots
- 1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
Directions:
- Prepare Potatoes: Place the potatoes and 1 teaspoon of salt in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook until tender but not falling apart, then drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Cook Beef Mixture: In a sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm the oil before adding the onions, ground beef, bay leaves, pepper, and another teaspoon of salt. Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked; then drain any excess grease and discard the bay leaves. Transfer the beef mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Create Sauce: Whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Stir this into the slow cooker along with the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, carrots, and peas.
- Prepare Mashed Potatoes: To the mashed potatoes, add the remaining teaspoon of salt, sour cream, butter, and parsley. Mash until well combined.
- Assemble and Cook: Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the beef mixture in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 7 hours.
- Serve: Allow the dish to cool and set for 15 minutes before serving directly from the slow cooker.
Pro Tips:
- Experiment with alternative meats like turkey or lamb for a unique twist.
- Swap potatoes for other starchy vegetables like parsnips or sweet potatoes for variation.
- Serve with a side salad or steamed greens for a well-rounded meal.
With its tender meat, flavorful gravy, and creamy potatoes, this slow cooker shepherd’s pie is the epitome of comfort food. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, it’s a satisfying meal that will warm your soul with every bite.