Hogwart's Shepherd's Pie- A Classic Flavorful English Pub Dish

Happy Harry Potter week!  The week of HP's birthday is one of my favorite weeks of the year.  It's up there with my birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  

I love Harry Potter, Hogwarts, and food.  Therefore, this week of HP themed recipes is ridiculously fun for my nerdy self.  This week you'll get 4 amazingly delicious recipes that all have reference to Harry Potter. 

Today, this Classic Shepherd's Pie makes it's first appearance in the Chamber of Secrets when the Hogwart's House Elves make it.  House elves only make the most delicious food, so I am sure this was the Shepherd's Pie recipe they were using.  It's delicious!  

This flavorful Shepherd's Pie is amazing!  Usually, you have to add ketchup or hot sauce to Shepherd's Pie to get any flavor.  However, this recipe has flavor packed into the potatoes on top and the beef, peas, and carrot filling on the bottom.  

You can throw this casserole together in less than an hour, and it's a perfect one-dish meal.  

Hogwart's Shepherd's Pie
Recipe: Alohamora adapted from My Mom
Active Time: 45 minutes
Inactive Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

For the Top 
3-4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
dash of salt and pepper
1 Tbsp onion, finely chopped (dried minced works as well)
1 Tbsp butter
1/4 c. cheddar cheese, shredded

For the Filling
1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1-2 lbs ground beef
1/4 c. Worcestershire sauce
dash of salt and pepper
1 c. onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp ketchup
1/2 c. beef broth
1/2 tsp rosemary, dried
1/4 tsp ground thyme
12 oz bag frozen peas and carrots

1/4 c. cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and pull out a 2 quart dish or casserole dish of choice. 
2. Place your peeled and cubed potatoes into a medium to large pot, and fill it with water until the potatoes are just barely covered.  
3. Add a dash of salt and pepper and the tablespoon of onion to the potatoes.
4. Over high heat bring the potatoes to a boil.  Lower the temperature and simmer the potatoes until they are soft and you can easily pierce it with a fork.  
5. Strain the potato water and then add the butter and cheese to the hot potatoes in the pot.  
6. Use a hand mixer or a potato masher to mash the potatoes to your desired consistency.  The butter and cheese will melt as your mash the potatoes. Place the potatoes aside.  
7. While the potatoes are cooking I like to start the filling.  Add the oil to a large pan over medium to high heat.
8. Add the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, onion, and garlic to the pan and cook until the beef is browned and cooked thoroughly. 
9. When the beef is browned sprinkle the flour on the meat and stir to combine it all. 
10. Add the ketchup to the meat and stir to combine it all. 
11. Add the beef broth and spices to the meat.  Stir to combine everything.  
12. Bring the filling mixture to a boil and reduce heat to low to simmer for 3-5 minutes.  
13. Add  the frozen peas and carrots to the filling and stir to combine it.  
14. Pour and evenly distribute the filling into the prepared casserole baking dish.  Completely cover the filling with the mashed potatoes and then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.  
15. Bake the uncovered Shepherd's Pie at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts.  If you like to get a crispy like layer on the potatoes bake it for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are slightly browned. 
16. Cool the casserole for 10 minutes or so before serving.  
17. Enjoy!
18. Store leftovers in the refrigerator. 

Happy Classic Flavorful English Pub Shepherd's Pie eating!  This is a great dish the whole family will love any day of the week.