Looking for a Fresh Ingredients Shepard's Pie Recipe for Microwave?

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Discussion Overview

The thread focuses on seeking and sharing recipes for Shepherd's Pie that can be prepared using a microwave, particularly in the DCB (Deep Covered Baker). Participants express preferences for using fresh or frozen ingredients over canned options and share various personal recipes and cooking methods.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant is looking for a Shepherd's Pie recipe that emphasizes fresh ingredients and can be microwaved, avoiding canned products unless home-canned.
  • Another participant shares a recipe from a cookbook that includes ground beef, frozen vegetables, and instant mashed potatoes, detailing the preparation steps.
  • One participant expresses interest in modifying the shared recipe by making their own gravy instead of using prepared ones.
  • Another participant describes their method of cooking ground beef and vegetables in a micro-cooker and suggests finishing the dish in the oven for a better texture.
  • One participant mentions their husband's love for Shepherd's Pie and plans to try making it over the weekend.
  • Another participant shares a detailed recipe adapted from Alton Brown, including specific ingredients and cooking instructions, while noting their use of ground beef instead of lamb.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

No clear consensus emerges, as participants share varied recipes and methods without a unified approach to the dish.

Contextual Notes

Participants are primarily focused on adapting traditional Shepherd's Pie recipes to fit a quicker cooking method using a microwave, while emphasizing the use of fresh or frozen ingredients.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for quick and adaptable Shepherd's Pie recipes that prioritize fresh ingredients may find the shared experiences and recipes helpful.

cmdtrgd
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I'm looking for a Shepard's Pie recipe that can be done in the DCB. Here's the catch, Husband likes fresh or frozen food, not canned....unless it is home canned, but that's another post...I want to start with as fresh as possible items and then microwave it. I know, that can sound weird, but faster cooking might be ok for him. I just don't have a good recipe that doesn't use cream of something soup!
 
from Main Dishes cookbook...Shepherd's Pie2 cups browned ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tspn veg oil
1 pressed garlic clove
1/2 tspn salt
1/2 tspn dried thyme
1/4 tspn black pepper
2 cups froz. veggies
1 jar 12 oz. beef gravy
4 servings (about 2 cups) instant mashed potatoes
2 oz. shredded cheddarChop onion - press garlic - saute in oil 2-3 minutes until clarified. Add veggies and gravy to pan, add cooked ground beef. Bring to a boil - spoon into DCBPrepare potatoes according to package directions. Apply into EZ Accent Decorator, pipe on top of meat mixture in DCB. Sprinkle half of cheddar over potatoes. Bake 25-30 mins or until thoroughly heated. Shred remaining cheese and allow to stand 5 minutes before serving.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Scott - this could work! I just need to make my own gravy (can't stand the prepared ones!) and I'll see how long it would need in the micro - thanks!Anny other suggestions - keep them coming!
 
I cook my ground beef with the micro-cooker....add my onion and gravy...pour into DCB. I also use the micro-cooker to steam my corn (fresh or frozen veggie of choice) with butter and pour over the meat. Lastly, I "boil" H2O (3 1/2m in micro) in my classic batter bowl if using instant potatoes, or I cook chopped potatoes in micro 11m with some H2o, butter and milk in BB and mash up with Mix N Chop. Pour over corn and top with cheddar cheese. I personally like it finished off in the oven (about 20-25m)...but you can also just heat through in micro.
 
My DH loves Shepard's Pie....going to try it this weekend.
 
I use Alton Brown's recipe (except iI use ground beef and beef broth instead of the lamb)

Shepherd's Pie Recipe : Alton Brown : Food Network

Ingredients
For the potatoes:
1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes
1/4 cup half-and-half
2 ounces unsalted butter
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 egg yolk

For the meat filling:
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 carrots, peeled and diced small
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons tomato paste
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons freshly chopped rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup fresh or frozen English peas

Directions
Peel the potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch dice. Place in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Set over high heat, cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, uncover, decrease the heat to maintain a simmer and cook until tender and easily crushed with tongs, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Place the half-and-half and butter into a microwave-safe container and heat in the microwave until warmed through, about 35 seconds. Drain the potatoes in a colander and then return to the saucepan. Mash the potatoes and then add the half and half, butter, salt and pepper and continue to mash until smooth. Stir in the yolk until well combined.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the filling. Place the canola oil into a 12-inch saute pan and set over medium high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the onion and carrots and saute just until they begin to take on color, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir to combine. Add the lamb, salt and pepper and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 3 minutes. Sprinkle the meat with the flour and toss to coat, continuing to cook for another minute. Add the tomato paste, chicken broth, Worcestershire, rosemary, thyme, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer slowly 10 to 12 minutes or until the sauce is thickened slightly.

Add the corn and peas to the lamb mixture and spread evenly into an 11 by 7-inch glass baking dish. Top with the mashed potatoes, starting around the edges to create a seal to prevent the mixture from bubbling up and smooth with a rubber spatula. Place on a parchment lined half sheet pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 25 minutes or just until the potatoes begin to brown. Remove to a cooling rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients do I need for a fresh ingredients shepherd's pie recipe in the microwave?

For a fresh ingredients shepherd's pie, you'll need ground meat (beef or lamb), onions, carrots, peas, garlic, fresh herbs (like thyme and rosemary), beef broth, and mashed potatoes. You can also add fresh vegetables of your choice for added flavor and nutrition.

How do I prepare the vegetables for the shepherd's pie?

Start by washing and peeling your vegetables. Dice the onions, carrots, and any other vegetables you want to include. You can microwave them for a few minutes to soften them before adding them to the meat mixture.

Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use frozen vegetables in your shepherd's pie. They are a convenient option and can be added directly to the meat mixture without the need for pre-cooking.

How long does it take to cook shepherd's pie in the microwave?

Cooking shepherd's pie in the microwave typically takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on the wattage of your microwave and the size of your dish. Make sure to cover the dish to retain moisture and check for doneness before serving.

Can I make shepherd's pie ahead of time and reheat it in the microwave?

Absolutely! You can prepare the shepherd's pie ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When you're ready to eat, simply cover it and reheat it in the microwave until it’s heated through, usually about 5-7 minutes.

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