Italian Shepards Pie Crockpot Base Recipes

SHEPHERD'S PIE (CROCK POT)

Steps:

• Brown the meat with the onion, garlic, celery and carrots until ground beef is no longer pink; drain any fat.
• Mix corn, sweet peas, salt, black pepper, tomato paste and water (fill up the 6 oz tomato paste can for measurement) into the meat mixture; stir well.
• Spray the inside of the crockpot with non-stick cooking spray; pour meat mixture into the bottom of crockpot; press into the bottom of the crockpot so it is dense and even.
• Spread leftover mashed potatoes (evenly) over the meat mixture.
• Sprinkle the mashed potatoes with paprika (optional, for garnish).
• Cook on low 6 hours (high 3 hours); then, remove the lid for 30 minutes to allow the potatoes to brown.
• Sprinkle pie with fresh, chopped parsley (optional, for garnish).
• VARIATION 1: CHEESY SHEPHERD'S PIE--Add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese to the pie by pressing the cheese over the meat mixture, and then layering the mashed potatoes on top of the cheese; Cook same length, same way.
• VARIATION 2: RUNZA/CABBAGE SHEPHERD'S PIE--Substitute shredded cabbage (2 cups) for the peas and corn; cook same length, same way.

SLOW COOKER SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• In medium skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook sausage until brown. Place in slow cooker. Add peas and carrots. Top with mashed potatoes. Pour gravy on top of potatoes. Cover and cook on low 4 to 6 hours.;

SLOW-COOKED SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain, then shake potatoes over low heat for 1 minute to dry. Mash potatoes, gradually adding butter and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. , Add tomato paste; cook for 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms, carrots, broth, wine, Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until most of the liquid is evaporated. Stir in peas. Season with remaining salt and pepper., Transfer beef mixture to a greased 4-qt. slow cooker. Spread mashed potatoes over top. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until bubbly. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Just before serving, sprinkle with parsley.

ITALIAN SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Brown ground beef in large frying pan, drain grease.
• Add 1 Tbsp oil to pan, return beef to pan, add onion, garlic, Italian seasoning and dried red pepper flakes.
• Fry until onion is softened.
• Stir in drained tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp each salt and sugar and 1/2 tsp pepper.
• Break up tomatoes with a fork.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring often for about 15 minutes, or until most of liquid has evaporated.
• Meanwhile cook potatoes in boiling water until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Drain potatoes.
• Add butter, milk, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
• Beat potatoes on medium speed of electric mixer until light and fluffy.
• Then beat in egg.
• Fold in 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• Meanwhile seed, core green pepper and cut into 1/4 inch pieces.
• Stir into cooked meat mixture.
• Turn into a 9" square baking dish.
• Spread potato mixture evenly on top of meat mixture.
• Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.
• Bake right away, or cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.
• Bake in the center of preheated 350 F oven for 40 to 50 minutes or until potatoes are golden tipped.
• If casserole has been refrigerated it may require an extra 15 minutes baking time.
• Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

ITALIAN SHEPHERD'S PIES

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the marinara sauce, salt and pepper; cook and stir for 8-10 minutes or until thickened. Spoon into four 8-oz. ramekins or custard cups; set aside., In a small bowl, combine the flour, cheese, baking powder, salt and Italian seasoning. Stir in milk and butter just until moistened. Spoon dough over meat mixture; place ramekins on a baking sheet., Bake at 450° for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked pies. To use, remove from freezer 30 minutes before baking (do not thaw). Preheat oven to 400°. Place pies on a baking sheet; cover edges loosely with foil. Bake as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.

SLOW-COOKER SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned; drain. Stir in soup, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Spread mixture evenly in bottom of 6-quart slow cooker. Top evenly with frozen vegetables.
• In 2-quart saucepan, heat water and butter to a rapid boil. Remove from heat; stir in milk and dry potatoes until just combined. Let stand 1 minute, then stir again. Spread evenly over top of vegetables in slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on Low heat setting 4 to 5 hours or until warm and vegetables are cooked through.
• Serve warm sprinkled with herbs.

ITALIAN-STYLE SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 2-quart casserole or 11x7-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef, onion and carrots to skillet; sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper. Cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is brown.
• Stir in mushrooms and pasta sauce. Heat to boiling. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spread in casserole.
• Make potatoes as directed on pouch using water, milk and butter. Spoon into 8 mounds around edge of hot beef mixture. Sprinkle cheese over all.
• Bake uncovered 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and potatoes are light golden brown.

MOM'S SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place the potatoes and water to cover in a large pot over high heat. Boil for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat; drain excess fat.
• To the ground beef, add the tomato sauce, parsley, Worcestershire sauce to taste, salt, ground black pepper and green beans. In a separate small bowl, mix the flour with the 3 tablespoons water and stir into the beef mixture.
• Stir all together well. Drain the potatoes, mash and spread over the beef mixture Place 2 to 3 vent holes through the mashed potatoes.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 minutes. Brush the milk over the potatoes for the last 5 minutes of baking.

EASY SHEPHERD'S PIE WITH GARLIC ROMANO POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
• Place the beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat. Season with rosemary and basil. Cook until beef is evenly brown; drain grease. Mix in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and mixed vegetables. Cook and stir until vegetables are heated through. Transfer to the baking dish.
• Place potatoes in a pot with enough water to cover, and bring to a boil. Cook 10 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat and drain. Mix butter, Romano cheese, garlic, salt, oregano, and milk into the pot. Mash together with a potato masher. Top beef and vegetables with the mashed potatoes.
• Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Turn oven to broil, and continue cooking 3 minutes, until potatoes are golden brown.

SLOW COOKER SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• Heat the slow cooker if necessary. Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Tip the onions and thyme sprigs and fry for 2-3 mins. Then add the carrots and fry together, stirring occasionally until the vegetables start to brown. Stir in the mince and fry for 1-2 mins until no longer pink. Stir in the flour then cook for another 1-2 mins. Stir in the tomato purée and lentils and season with pepper and the Worcestershire sauce, adding a splash of water if you think the mixture is too dry. Scrape everything into the slow cooker.
• Meanwhile cook both lots of potatoes in simmering water for 12-13 minutes or until they are cooked through. Drain well and then mash with the crème fraîche. Spoon this on top of the mince mixture and cook on Low for 5 hours - the mixture should be bubbling at the sides when it is ready. Crisp up the potato topping under the grill if you like.