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Easy Mini Shepherd’s Pies

Easy Mini Shepherd’s Pies
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These Easy Mini Shepherd’s Pies are warm, hearty, and comforting individual-sized pies featuring tender ground meat, rich vegetables, and a creamy mashed potato topping. Perfect for portion control, quick family dinners, and easily customizable to suit various dietary preferences, these mini pies deliver classic shepherd’s pie flavors in a fun, manageable format.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat & Vegetables

  • 1 lb ground lamb, beef, or turkey
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup peas
  • 1/2 cup diced carrots
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Mashed Potatoes

  • 2 lbs peeled potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold recommended)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Liquid & Seasoning

  • 1/2 cup beef or vegetable stock
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp fresh or dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil or additional butter for sautéing

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté diced onions until soft and translucent. Add ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Stir in diced carrots, peas, minced garlic, and tomato paste. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, and thyme.
  2. Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in beef or vegetable stock and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until vegetables are tender and sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  3. Make Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Boil peeled potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain well and mash with butter and a splash of milk until smooth and fluffy. Season mashed potatoes with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Assemble the Mini Pies: Evenly divide the meat filling into mini ramekins or muffin tins. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top, smoothing the surface with a spatula or fork, and creating a decorative pattern if desired.
  5. Bake Until Golden: Place the assembled mini pies in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the mashed potato topping is golden brown and slightly crispy.

Notes

  • Use cold mashed potatoes for topping to prevent melting and maintain structure.
  • Do not overcrowd the baking pan; leave space between mini pies for even cooking and crispy edges.
  • Customize vegetables as preferred, substituting peas and carrots with seasonal options.
  • Brush mashed potato topping with melted butter or an egg wash before baking for a more golden crust.
  • If pies begin browning too fast during baking, loosely cover with aluminum foil to prevent burning while finishing cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: mini shepherd's pies, individual shepherd's pies, comfort food, easy shepherd's pie, family dinner, portion control

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/easy-mini-shepherds-pies/