Long ago, in a far away land (about 41/2 years ago, just outside of Albuquerque) Micah and I lived in a cool old adobe house and were expecting our first little bundle, Daphne.

Micah worked all hours and I was teaching full time. We had a lot going on… anyway, one day I got a text from Micah announcing that I should make Shepherd’s Pie for dinner.

What is that?

He explained it was beef, and veggies topped with mashed potatoes and cheese, no crust needed, just a pie pan (or a deep cast iron pan) to bring all the ingredients together. I thought, “OK.”

Now, let me be clear- I never took the time to look into any recipe about this- I just went with the basic instructions provided in that text from my husband, so I had no idea that a shepherd’s pie can actually be a kinda complicated dish that I’ve even heard is Gordon Ramsay’s personal favorite- he even has a lovely recipe of his own- and maybe someday I’ll try it.

In the meantime…this little recipe here has done well by us and is definitely a repeater- one that I have gotten requests for and Micah has proclaimed that he could eat “everyday.” So… there you go, and here’s how you too can enjoy this hearty, warm, stick to your ribs, and easy to make Shepherd’s Pie!

What you need.

5 or 6 russet potatoes

1 lb ground beef

1 bag of  frozen vegetable medley (this is carrots, peas, corn and green beans)

½ ish bag of shredded cheese

½ cup of milk

2 tablespoons of butter

1-2 garlic cloves (minced and optional)

¼ yellow onion

Salt, pepper, red pepper powder, paprika

Start out making the mashed potatoes- so easy and really tasty!

Wash, scrub and peel potatoes. Then cut them up in chunks and put them in a big pot of boiling water (enough to cover the potatoes.) After they have boiled for about 25 minutes (or until tender,) drain the water and add the milk, butter and garlic. If you have a potato masher, put it to work and mash! Add salt and pepper to taste and set aside.

This is a perfect time to preheat the oven to 350.

Take your frozen vegetable medley and empty the whole bag into a pot with a vegetable steamer and plenty of water. Turn the burner to medium/high heat. Cover the veggie pot with a lid and let the water boil and steam them until they are hot and tender.

Now to brown the meat- chop the onion in small chunks (or big if you like,) and toss those chunks in a pan over medium high heat. Add your ground beef, salt, pepper, red chili powder, paprika (all to taste.) Stir consistently and brown the meat thoroughly.

At this point, everything is cooked and ready to combine. Drain the vegetables and mix them with the ground beef. Next scoop and spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top of the meat and veggies. Last ingredient is cheese- sprinkle shredded cheese over the potatoes and pop the whole thing in the oven for about 15 minutes (until the cheese is melted completely.)

Take it out of the oven and serve with a good crusty bread.

We always have leftovers, so lunch or even dinner the next day is covered  too.

And there you have it- Lazy Bo Peep’s (that’s me) Shepherd’s Pie.

Enjoy!

Lazy Bo Peep's Shepherd's Pie

• Servings: 8
• Time: 1 hour(ish)
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

An easy way to make a warm, hearty dinner.

Ingredients

5 or 6 russet potatoes 1 lb ground beef 1 bag of frozen vegetable medley (this is carrots, peas, corn and green beans) ½ ish bag of shredded cheese ½ cup of milk 2 tablespoons of butter 1-2 garlic cloves (minced and optional) ¼ yellow onion Salt, pepper, red pepper powder, paprika

Directions

1.) Wash, scrub and peel potatoes. Then cut them up in chunks and put them in a big pot of boiling water (enough to cover the potatoes.) After they have boiled for about 25 minutes (or until tender,) drain the water and add the milk, butter and garlic. If you have a potato masher, put it to work and mash! Add salt and pepper to taste and set aside.

2.) preheat the oven to 350.

3.)Take your frozen vegetable medley and empty the whole bag into a pot with a vegetable steamer and plenty of water. Turn the burner to medium/high heat. Cover the veggie pot with a lid and let the water boil and steam the vegetables until they are hot and tender.

4.)Brown the meat- chop the onion in small chunks (or big if you like,) and toss those chunks in a pan over medium high heat. Add your ground beef, salt, pepper, red chili powder, paprika (all to taste.) Stir consistently and brown the meat thoroughly.

5.)Drain the vegetables and mix them with the ground beef.

6.)Scoop and spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the top of the meat and veggies.

7.)Sprinkle shredded cheese over the potatoes and pop the whole thing in the oven for about 15 minutes (until the cheese is melted completely.) 8.)Take it out of the oven and serve with a good crusty bread.