Transforming Easy Ground Beef Shepherd’s Pie into Quesadillas
A Pantry-Friendly Twist: Not Your Traditional Shepherd’s Pie! This recipe takes a departure from the classic version by using ground beef, chicken bouillon, and marinara sauce instead of the usual tomato paste, chicken broth, and ground lamb. It’s a convenient and delicious alternative when you don’t have all the traditional ingredients on hand.
For a delightful twist, I experimented with Wagyu beef mince from Costco, which happened to be available in my kitchen. In the past, I’ve also tried using turkey mince, and it turned out equally scrumptious. The reason I created this recipe was to overcome the challenge of not having chicken stock or tomato paste on hand. By ingeniously substituting Marinara sauce and Chicken bouillon, I was pleasantly surprised by the delightful flavors they brought to the dish.
Initially, I was concerned about using beef because it produced more meat juices, making the dish a bit watery. However, the mashed potatoes eagerly absorbed those succulent juices, infusing the entire dish with rich flavors and elevating it to new heights. This experience taught me that what may seem like a failure can lead to extraordinary successes.
In the end, my Wagyu beef Shepherd’s Pie turned out to be a remarkable fusion of flavors, blending traditional and improvised elements to create a truly unique and satisfying meal. It goes to show that experimenting in the kitchen can lead to delightful discoveries, and it’s all part of the joy of cooking!
I prepared a batch of Shepherd’s Pie to make my household chores easier and to have meals ready in advance. To keep things exciting and prevent monotony, I turned the Shepherd’s Pies into Quesadillas the next day. It was a complete transformation into a whole new recipe, and I must say, they turned out incredibly delicious! I highly recommend giving it a try.
Make your life easier with pre-made mashed potatoes!
If you prepare the mashed potatoes the day before and make the Shepherd’s Pie filling the next day, just before baking, by layering the mashed potatoes on top, it reduces the cooking time.
Ingredients(This Shepherd’s Pie recipe is suitable for the Staub Braiser 24cm size, perfect for a family of about 4-5 people):
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
Sure! Here’s a recipe and instructions for Shepherd’s Pie:
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
- 720g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 230ml milk or heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
For theFilling:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or lamb or turkey
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1/4 cup frozen peas
- 1 stalk celery
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 tbs Chicken bouillon
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Peel the potatoes: Start by peeling the potatoes and cutting them into evenly sized chunks.
Boil the potatoes: Place the potato chunks in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover them completely. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let the potatoes simmer until they are fork-tender. This usually takes around 15-20 minutes.
Drain the potatoes: Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them in a colander and return them to the pot.
Add butter and milk/cream: Add the softened butter to the mashed potatoes and mix it in until it’s fully incorporated. Then, slowly pour in the milk or heavy cream while stirring.
Mash the potatoes: Using a potato masher, start mashing the potatoes until they are mostly broken down.
In a large skillet or oven-safe pan, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until they become translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the diced carrots and celery and add salt and Chicken bouillon
- Add the ground beef or lamb to the pan and cook until it browns, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
Add dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.the Worcestershire sauce, marinara sauce.
“Mix well and turn the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and wait for 20 minutes.
While the filling is simmering, prepare the mashed potato topping. Boil the peeled and chopped potatoes in a large pot of salted water until they are tender. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
Add the butter, milk or cream, salt, and pepper to the pot with the potatoes. Mash everything together until you achieve smooth and creamy mashed potatoes.
Once the filling is ready and the mashed potatoes are prepared, spread the filling evenly in the skillet or oven-safe pan.
Carefully spread the mashed potatoes over the filling, making sure to cover it entirely.
Using a fork, create some texture on the surface of the mashed potatoes. This will help them develop a beautiful golden crust while baking.
Place in a 400°F oven/air fryer and cook until browned and bubbling, for about 25-30 minutes, or until the top of the Shepherd’s Pie turns golden and slightly crispy. If you desire a slightly browned surface, broil the mashed potatoes for the last few minutes.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Place a tortilla on a pan with oil. Add cheese and your preferred vegetables, beans, avocado, or rice, along with the leftover Shepherd’s Pie. Fry both sides until crispy and it’s ready to serve!
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