Funeral Potatoes Shepherds Pie (Printer-Friendly)

Creamy potatoes mix with savory meat and vegetables topped by a crispy, cheesy layer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Potato Topping

01 - 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 3/4 cup sour cream
04 - 1/3 cup whole milk
05 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Meat and Vegetable Base

09 - 1 lb ground beef or lamb
10 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
13 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
14 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
15 - 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth
16 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
17 - 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Crunchy Topping

19 - 2 cups cornflakes, lightly crushed
20 - 2 tbsp melted butter
21 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Boil cubed potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, approximately 15 minutes. Drain thoroughly and mash with butter, sour cream, milk, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
03 - In a large skillet, cook ground beef or lamb over medium heat until browned, breaking apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
04 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet; sauté until softened, approximately 3 minutes.
05 - Stir in frozen vegetables, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, broth, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
06 - Spread meat and vegetable mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
07 - Top with mashed potato mixture, spreading to completely cover the filling.
08 - Combine crushed cornflakes with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over potatoes and top with remaining cheddar cheese.
09 - Bake for 30-35 minutes until topping is golden brown and filling bubbles at the edges.
10 - Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's the kind of dish that tastes like someone spent hours in the kitchen, even though you'll have it ready in just over an hour.
  • One casserole feeds a crowd without requiring you to juggle multiple pans or timing nightmares.
  • That cornflake crust is pure genius, giving you unexpected crunch against creamy potatoes and savory meat.
02 -
  • Drain your potatoes thoroughly after boiling, otherwise you'll end up with watery mash that never sets properly and the whole texture suffers.
  • Don't skip the resting time at the end, it's the difference between a mess on the plate and something that holds its shape with pride.
03 -
  • Use a potato ricer instead of a masher if you have one, it creates an even silkier texture that makes the dish feel more refined.
  • Cook your meat until it's really browned, not just cooked through, because that's where the actual flavor lives.
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