Description
A comforting and hearty Shepherd’s Pie made with tender minced beef, rich gravy, and creamy mashed potatoes baked inside jacket potato skins, topped with melted cheddar cheese for a delicious twist on a classic dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Filling
- 2 tsp butter
- ½ onion, chopped
- 140g lean minced beef
- 250ml beef stock
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Potato Topping
- 1 large jacket potato, baked
- Small handful grated cheddar cheese
- Additional 1 tsp butter (for mashing)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 200°C (fan 180°C) or gas mark 6 to prepare for baking the finished dish.
- Cook the Onion: Melt half of the butter in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook gently for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Brown the Mince: Increase the heat and add the lean minced beef to the pan with the onions. Fry for another 3-4 minutes, stirring regularly, until the beef is browned all over.
- Add Liquids and Flavorings: Stir in the beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, tomato purée, and season with salt and pepper. Let the mixture gently bubble for 15-20 minutes until the mince is tender and the sauce has thickened to a rich consistency.
- Prepare the Potato Skins: Cut the baked jacket potato in half lengthways. Carefully scoop out the flesh into a small bowl, keeping the skins intact for filling.
- Mash the Potato: Mash the scooped potato with the remaining butter (1 tsp) and season well with salt and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Pie: Divide the cooked mince mixture evenly between the potato skins. Spoon or pipe the mashed potato over the top of the mince, smoothing it out evenly.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Place the filled potato skins in a baking dish. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot, ideally with your favorite vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- For an extra creamy mash, add a splash of milk or cream when mashing the potato flesh.
- You can substitute beef stock with vegetable stock for a lighter flavor.
- Try adding herbs like thyme or rosemary to the mince mixture for additional depth of flavor.
- Leftover shepherd’s pie potatoes can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven.
- For a richer topping, sprinkle some extra cheddar cheese before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: Shepherd's pie, minced beef, baked jacket potato, mashed potatoes, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy topping
