Bake a delicious Shepherd’s Pie

Baking and pastry arts don’t need to be confined to dessert. Casseroles and other hearty meals are also part of baking, and can be a delicious main course. Shepherd’s pie, which is also known as cottage pie, is a relatively simple dish that can be accompanied by sides, but it’s just as great on its own. It dates from 1791, which was roughly the time that potatoes became popularin Europe. Today, shepherd’s pie is still a favorite thanks to its characteristic fluffy mashed potatoes with savory shredded beef and sweet peas. The recipe outlined below is a basic Shepherd’s pie, but it can be spiced up with sauces and additions like any casserole.

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes, cubed and peeled
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 5 carrots, chopped
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 3/4 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add potatoes and cook until tender, roughly 15 minutes. Drain and mash potatoes, mixing in butter, the finely chopped onion and cheddar cheese. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.

Bring a second large pot of salted water to a boil, then add carrots and cook until they are tender but still firm. Drain them and set aside.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and add the chopped onion, cooking until the onions are translucent. Then, add ground beef and cook with the onion until it is well browned. Pour out the rendered fat, stir in flour and cook for one minute. Add ketchup and beef broth then bring it to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for five minutes.

Spread the ground beef in a layer on the bottom of a two-quart casserole dish. Then, spread a layer of mashed carrots over the ground beef combination and top with the mashed potato mixture. Then, top with a sprinkle of the remaining shredded cheese. Once this casserole is set up, you should bake it in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes have a golden brown color.