When I tell people that at 41 years old, I am just now learning to cook, they always react incredulously, but it’s true. I’ve been a SAHM for nine years and I can’t honestly tell you what the heck my family has been eating all this time! But I’ve finally started not only looking for new recipes, but actually making them, and when I make something that my whole family loves, it is an incredible feeling.
It started with Mrs. Chicky asking her readers for their favorite family meal, by the time I came across the post she had already had 53 comments, so I didn’t leave one. Which, now that I think of it, makes no sense at all, since I have COOKING BLOG, but anyway. Mamatulip, who I think is just the bomb diggity anyway, posted this recipe for Shepherd’s Pie that looked so easy and sounded yummy, so I copied down her recipe to try. I ended up modifying it a bit and ended up with this concoction that I told my son was “Hamburger Casserole”. The ingredients and preparation are simple:
Ingredients
One pound ground beef-not too lean, I used 80/20
Salt, Garlic powder, onion powder
One envelope brown gravy mix
Water for making gravy
Frozen green peas (about a cup)
Frozen corn kernels (about a cup)
Instant roasted garlic mashed potatoes (or plain, or homemade)
Shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
Brown the ground beef in a skillet, dump it into a colander to drain, then put back in skillet.
While the ground beef is browning, microwave the peas and the corn until defrosted.
Sprinkle the ground beef with salt, garlic powder and onion powder to taste.
Make the gravy according to the directions and stir it into the ground beef, set aside.
Add the peas and corn to the beef, stir to combine, and pour it into an oven-proof casserole.
If you are using instant mashed potatoes, make them according to package directions.
Top the ground beef and veggies with the mashed potatoes, spreading gently over the top. Sprinkle the surface of the potatoes with the shredded cheddar.
Put it in the oven at 375 (your temperature may vary depending on your oven) until the cheese melts and the middle is warm.
I served it with the rest of the peas and corn on the side. All five of us dug in, and soon all you could hear was “yum. MMmmm. This is GOOD. Can I have seconds?”
SCORE!!
Awesome! I’m glad everyone liked it — it’s one of the few meals my entire family will eat. When I posted this recipe on Mrs. Chicky’s blog I forgot to add that when the ground beef is browned, I throw in one chopped onion. It doesn’t taste the same without the onion!
mamatulip’s last blog post..Reason #75 why I love having kids
K-Thanks! I usually brown ground beef with chopped onion too, but that night I was feeling too lazy to bother, so I just sprinkled on the onion powder instead :)
That looks delicious! And not far off a vegetarian shepherds pie reciepe we love.
Mimipz5wjj’s last blog post..Rollerskating
This is a really easy version! Between work, violin practice, basketball games, etc. lately I have been really struggling to get good meals on the table.
Yummy, that looks good.
Karen’s last blog post..Will You Marry Me Contest
Elizabeth, it’s probably a combination of links from my hs blog and my recipe blog. I have linked your blog/recipes at both places. I enjoy your blog and thanks for the nice comment.
My name is Elizabeth also, but I just got stuck with Betsy. :)
Betsy’s last blog post..The Homeschool Lounge
Sounds yummy! Wonder what it would be like to substitute ground turkey for the ground meat?
Charla’s last blog post..Pineapple Delight
Charla-I bet you could substitute ground turkey, and maybe change the gravy to a white gravy instead? This seemed like an incredibly versatile recipe when I was making it.
I love Shepherd’s Pie. It was sort of the signature dish at my college and I really have a soft place in my heart for this comfort food.
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I love shepherds pie, it’s so easy and tasty. Served with home grown carrots, peas or broad beans. Yummy.