When it comes to making dinner ahead of time, a hardy beef stew is always a good idea. In fact, it's almost better if you wait a bit before you eat it. This time, I'm taking the beef stew one step further and turning it into a yummy shepherd's pie, topped with mashed potatoes - a dream for my family.
I started by browning the meat for the beef stew. I used chuck roast, cutting it into chunks and getting a nice brown color on the meat in a hot pot. After removing the meat, I threw in some onions, taking advantage of all the flavorful bits left in the pan. The onions got coated in those delicious flavors as they cooked.
Next, I minced up some garlic and added it to the onions, letting the aromas fill the kitchen. To help thicken the stew, I sprinkled in a couple tablespoons of flour. Then, it was time for the liquids - a splash of beer, some beef broth, and a bit of tomato paste to add richness and color.
I seasoned the stew with Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, paprika, and a touch of sugar to balance the acidity. The beef went back in, and the whole thing simmered away for a couple hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to become tender.
While the stew was cooking, I turned my attention to the mashed potatoes. I boiled some peeled potatoes until soft, then mashed them up, adding in softened butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and a twist - prepared horseradish. The horseradish gives the potatoes a little zing and tang.
Once the stew had cooled a bit, I spooned it into a baking dish and topped it with the creamy, herbed mashed potatoes. The shepherd's pie is now ready to be popped in the fridge, waiting to be baked and enjoyed later.
This dish is the perfect comfort food - the rich, savory beef stew paired with the fluffy, flavorful mashed potatoes. It's a meal that's sure to please the whole family. Plus, the make-ahead nature of it means I can get dinner done early and relax later. Shepherd's pie is also a great option for entertaining, as it can be served in individual portions or one big, impressive dish. I can't wait for my family to dive into this hearty, delicious meal!
Part 1/4:
Hearty Beef Stew Turned Shepherd's Pie
When it comes to making dinner ahead of time, a hardy beef stew is always a good idea. In fact, it's almost better if you wait a bit before you eat it. This time, I'm taking the beef stew one step further and turning it into a yummy shepherd's pie, topped with mashed potatoes - a dream for my family.
I started by browning the meat for the beef stew. I used chuck roast, cutting it into chunks and getting a nice brown color on the meat in a hot pot. After removing the meat, I threw in some onions, taking advantage of all the flavorful bits left in the pan. The onions got coated in those delicious flavors as they cooked.
Part 2/4:
Next, I minced up some garlic and added it to the onions, letting the aromas fill the kitchen. To help thicken the stew, I sprinkled in a couple tablespoons of flour. Then, it was time for the liquids - a splash of beer, some beef broth, and a bit of tomato paste to add richness and color.
I seasoned the stew with Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, paprika, and a touch of sugar to balance the acidity. The beef went back in, and the whole thing simmered away for a couple hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to become tender.
Part 3/4:
While the stew was cooking, I turned my attention to the mashed potatoes. I boiled some peeled potatoes until soft, then mashed them up, adding in softened butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, salt, pepper, and a twist - prepared horseradish. The horseradish gives the potatoes a little zing and tang.
Once the stew had cooled a bit, I spooned it into a baking dish and topped it with the creamy, herbed mashed potatoes. The shepherd's pie is now ready to be popped in the fridge, waiting to be baked and enjoyed later.
Part 4/4:
This dish is the perfect comfort food - the rich, savory beef stew paired with the fluffy, flavorful mashed potatoes. It's a meal that's sure to please the whole family. Plus, the make-ahead nature of it means I can get dinner done early and relax later. Shepherd's pie is also a great option for entertaining, as it can be served in individual portions or one big, impressive dish. I can't wait for my family to dive into this hearty, delicious meal!