Crock Pot Shepherds Pie
This slowcooker shepherds pie recipe features tender ground beef in a rich tomato-based gravy with savory vegetables and a creamy potato topping. Comfort food at its best, it would make a cozy dinner party idea during the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 2 slices sandwich bread torn into small pieces
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 onions chopped
- 2 carrots chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 (10 oz) bag of frozen peas
- 1 (32 oz) container of prepared mashed potatoes or about 3 cups of homemade mashed potatoes
Instructions
- Tear the sandwich bread into small pieces and put them in a large mixing bowl. Pour in the milk and mash it together to make a paste.
- Add the ground beef to the mixing bowl and gently mix it together with the milky bread paste.
- In a large skillet or dutch oven set over medium-high heat, add the ground beef mixture and cook until no longer pink. Break it up with a spoon as it browns.
- Transfer the browned ground beef to the bowl of your slowcooker and return the skillet to the stovetop.
- Add the vegetable oil and heat it over medium-high heat. Once it is shimmering add the chopped onions and carrots. Cook until the onions are just beginning to soften.
- Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, and tomato paste to the skillet and stir them in, cooking for about 1 minute. Add the flour and stir it in. Cook the mixture for 2 more minutes. It will be very thick.
- Pour the chicken stock into the skillet and use it to deglaze the pan and smooth out the tomato sauce. Transfer the entire mixture to the slowcooker, be sure to scrape all the juices from the pan.
- Add the heavy cream and soy sauce to the slowcooker. Stir everything together and cover. Cook on LOW heat for 6 - 7 hours or on HIGH heat for 4 - 5 hours.
- Uncover the Crock Pot and stir the frozen peas into the ground beef filling.
- Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top and spread them into an even layer. This is easier to do if you first warm them in the microwave to loosen them up, especially if using refrigerated potatoes.
- Cover the Crock Pot and cook for another 20 minutes on LOW or until the potatoes are warmed through.