Golden, bubbling, and utterly comforting, this potato and minced meat shepherd’s pie is weeknight magic in a baking dish. Creamy mashed potatoes whipped with light cream, butter, and cheese blanket a savory layer of seasoned minced meat with onion and carrot, then the whole thing bakes until crisp and golden on top. It is the kind of cozy dinner the whole table will ask for again — and if you love hearty bakes, try our Classic Stuffed Peppers with Meat and Rice next.
Ingredients
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) potatoes
- 500 g (1.1 lb) ground meat (turkey and beef mix)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, grated
- 200 ml (3/4 cup) light cream (10% fat)
- 40 g (3 tbsp) butter
- 100 g (3.5 oz) hard cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes and mash them with the cream instead of milk.
- Stir the butter and half the grated cheese into the mash.
- Brown the ground meat with the onion and carrot, seasoning well, and layer it in a baking dish under the mash.
- Top with the remaining cheese and bake at 200°C (390°F) for 20 minutes, until golden and crusty.
Tips
- Use floury potatoes and mash them while still hot, adding the warmed cream gradually for the smoothest, fluffiest topping.
- Let the meat filling cool slightly before spreading the mash over it — this keeps the layers distinct and the top beautifully even. For more potato inspiration, see our Stuffed Potatoes Braised in Sour Cream Tomato Sauce.
- For safe handling of ground meat, follow the food-safety guidelines from the USDA, and find more cozy comfort-food ideas at Serious Eats.
Nutrition: per 100 g — 134 kcal, protein 9 g, fat 7 g, carbs 8 g.