Beef and Pumpkin Shepherd’s Pie
A warm and healthy Beef and Pumpkin Shepherd’s Pie loaded with so many beautiful flavours….where do I start? The beautiful beefy filling? The crispy parmesan cheesy top? Or the creamy layers of pumpkin?
This recipe has been handed down to me by my one and only mother. I may only ever change a couple things, but really, this is perfection.
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The beef mixture inside this Beef and Pumpkin Shepherd’s Pie is like beast mode a la Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Terminator of Shepherd’s Pie…or Cottage Pie. Whichever one rocks your socks. So much happening it may not be like your normal average Shepherd’s Pie, but since when are we normal anyway?
One slice of this mountain of glory and you’ll be so full and fulfilled in every way possible, you won’t want a nothing else after it.
With the Chicken Pumpkin and Ricotta Lasagna from the other day, and yeah, the Creamy Pumpkin and Spinach Soup with Crispy Bacon, I added pumpkin into this for an even creamier flavour. You know what I love about this the most? Is cutting into it: the knife sliding down so softly you start to imagine the creamy pumpkin. And then, the warm and sweet aromas of pumpkin hit you begging to be eaten.
Your family will love you. Your guests won’t want to go home!
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- 1 kg | 2lbs butternut or kent pumpkin , washed, peeled seeded and cubed (I usually use 1/2 a kent pumpkin)
- 3 large potatoes , washed, peeled and cubed
- 2 tablespoons reduced fat butter/spread of choice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion , chopped
- 2 medium carrots , peeled and chopped
- 1/2 red capsicum/bell pepper , seeded and chopped
- 3 garlic cloves , minced (or 3 teaspoons minced garlic)
- 500 g | 1lbs ground/mince extra lean beef
- 2 ripe tomatoes , diced
- 3/4 cup frozen peas
- salt to season
- 2 tablespoons vegetable stock (I use Vegeta)
- 2 tablespoons gravy powder , whisked in 1/4 cup boiling water (until free of lumps): or you can substitute the gravy powder with cornflour/corn starch.
- 4 cups baby spinach leaves , washed
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
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Preheat oven to 200C | 400F. Combine pumpkin and potatoes with just enough water to cover them, in a large saucepan/pot over medium heat, and boil until tender. Alternatively, microwave or steam them until soft. Drain well, add the butter/spread and mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt to suit your tastes.
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Meanwhile, heat oil in a separate large pan over medium - high heat. Add onion, carrots and capsicum, and cook stirring for about 5 - 10 minutes, or until onions become transparent. Add the garlic and cook stirring again, for about 2 minutes. Add beef and fry until meat is browned on all sides (break up all lumps with your wooden spoon). Add the tomatoes, cover pot with lid, reduce heat and simmer until tomatoes soften. When tomatoes are soft, add the peas, salt and vegetable stock powder, and simmer again covered with lid for about 10 minutes, or until all vegetables are soft and cooked through. Add gravy powder or cornflour/corn starch mixture. Cook stirring to combine all ingredients together until a sauce forms, reduces and thickens. Stir the spinach and parsley through, and take off heat.
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Evenly spread half the pumpkin/potato mash into a large oven proof baking dish. Spoon the beef mixture over the top, and spread remaining pumpkin mash over the top of the beef.
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Sprinkle evenly with parmesan cheese.
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Bake until the top of the pie turns a golden brown and sauce is bubbling underneath (about 20 minutes).
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Karina says
You’re welcome Tamisha! You just made my week! 🙂
Tamisha says
i used sweet potato instead of normal potoes and omg yummmoooooo it was so delish!!! best shepards pie ever!! Thanks for the recipe <3
Karina says
Oh yummy!! Turkey is a winner with this too! Than you for commenting! I’m so happy you tried it Xx
danaeelisee says
I finally had time to make this and am in love!! I subbed butternut squash for the pumpkin and turkey instead of beef and it was amazing
Karina says
Yes definitely! Yumm! You may need to add a little milk if the mash is too thick 🙂
Henry Dickerson says
Would sweet potatoes be an acceptable substitute for the Kent pumpkin or butternut squash?
Karina says
Wow really? Girl, you’re missing out!
Karina says
Thank you…It was a perfect cloudy miserable day here when this was made, so you’re totally right!
Karina says
Yes of course! You could do either one. Bake it completely, allow to cool, and then freeze OR build it in the baking dish, and freeze before cooking (I’d probably go with freezing before cooking). If you try it out, please let me know how you go 🙂
Karina says
Thank you! Xx
tastasty says
It looks perfect! 😉
Danae says
This looks great yummy!!!! I was wondering..could I make this ahead and freeze it? Or is there a good point before baking that would be a good time to freeze?
pastapieandpirouettes says
This looks like the perfect rainy day dinner. I love the pumpkin in it! I’m saving your recipe.
liztiptopshape says
OH this looks good!!! I’ve never made shepard’s pie before!