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### Instructions for Making Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes
Follow these steps to create your delicious Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes:
#### 1. **Bake the Potatoes**:
– Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and dry the russet potatoes, then pierce them a few times with a fork. Place them directly on the oven rack and bake for about 45-60 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork. Remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.
#### 2. **Prepare the Filling**:
– While the potatoes are baking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up into small crumbles as it cooks. Once browned, transfer the meat to a plate and set aside.
– In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and carrot, and sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
– Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
– Return the ground meat to the skillet, then add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Stir in the peas and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
#### 3. **Make the Mashed Potatoes**:
– While the filling is simmering, peel and dice the potatoes for the mashed topping. Place them in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
– Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy. For a richer topping, you can add some shredded cheese into the mashed potatoes at this stage. Set aside.
#### 4. **Assemble the Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes**:
– Once the baked potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them in half lengthwise and scoop out the insides, leaving a small border of potato to form a bowl. You can save the scooped-out potato for mashed potato filling or another recipe.
– Spoon a generous portion of the ground meat filling into each hollowed-out potato half, pressing down gently to pack it in.
– Top the meat filling with a heaping spoonful of mashed potatoes, spreading them out evenly to cover the top. For an optional cheesy topping, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the mashed potatoes.
#### 5. **Bake the Assembled Potatoes**:
– Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the filled potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the filling is heated through. If you’ve added cheese, it should be melted and bubbly.
#### 6. **Serve**:
– Remove the Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy these hearty, delicious individual pies as a main dish for lunch or dinner!
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### Tips for Perfect Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes
– **Make It Vegetarian**: You can easily make this dish vegetarian by using lentils or mushrooms instead of ground meat. Add some extra herbs and spices to enhance the flavor.
– **Try Different Toppings**: Feel free to experiment with different mashed potato toppings. You could add roasted garlic, grated Parmesan, or even a drizzle of olive oil for a more Mediterranean twist.
– **Use Leftovers**: This is a great recipe to use up leftover mashed potatoes or meat. It’s an easy way to turn leftovers into something new and exciting.
– **Add Extra Veggies**: You can increase the nutritional value by adding other vegetables to the filling, such as spinach, corn, or even butternut squash.
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### Conclusion
Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes are a fun and delicious twist on a classic comfort food that’s sure to become a family favorite. With tender ground meat, flavorful vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes all packed into a perfectly baked potato, this dish combines all the best elements of Shepherd’s Pie into a simple, individual serving. It’s easy to make, customizable to your tastes, and perfect for meal prep or a cozy dinner. Try this recipe today for a hearty, satisfying meal that’s full of flavor and love!
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