Funeral Potatoes Shepherds Pie (Printable Version)

Creamy potato topping over savory meat and veggies, finished with a crunchy cheddar topping for cozy meals.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Potato Topping

01 - 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
02 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 3/4 cup sour cream
04 - 1/3 cup whole milk
05 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon 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 tablespoons tomato paste
14 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
15 - 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
17 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Crunchy Topping

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

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

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

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It feeds a crowd without fussing, and tastes even better the next day if you're lucky enough to have leftovers.
  • The contrast of creamy potato, savory meat, and that unexpected cornflake crunch creates a textural story in every bite.
  • You can make it entirely from pantry staples on a Tuesday night when inspiration feels thin.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the cooked meat, excess fat makes the filling greasy instead of savory and rich.
  • The rest period before serving is non negotiable, it makes slicing clean and lets the heat distribute evenly to the center.
03 -
  • Add a tablespoon of prepared mustard or a pinch of smoked paprika to the meat filling for depth that whispers rather than shouts.
  • Let your potatoes cool slightly before adding sour cream if your kitchen runs hot, preventing the dairy from breaking and becoming grainy.
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