I think the title of this recipe, twice-baked shepherd’s pie potatoes, is pretty self-explanatory, but that isn’t going to stop me from both going on and on about the deliciousness of it, or wondering WHY given all the other ways I have made twice baked potatoes, it took me so long to stuff them with shepherd’s pie filling. Because after all, traditional shepherd’s pie is a meat and vegetable filling topped with mashed potatoes. Usually cooked in a casserole or a skillet…but here is the beauty part. We are tossing that casserole aside in favor of stuffing the potato skin full of the filling instead. That very same potato that we scooped out the insides out of to make mashed potatoes. Which we are going top our potatoes with. Can you handle how perfect and efficient all of this is??? Let’s make it!
And before I go any further, let me just say that yes, I know that shepherd’s pie is traditionally made with lamb, and if you make it with beef you are supposed to call it cottage pie. But “twice baked cottage pie potatoes” didn’t have the same comfort food ring to it, so I am taking poetic license here.
So, get yourself a couple of nice plump russet potatoes, scrub them down well, and either bake or microwave them until they are tender. While they are cooling down you are going to make a traditional shepherd’s pie filling out of (sorry!) ground beef, carrots, onions and a few other ingredients. Carefully cut an oval in the top of each potato and scoop out the insides. Get as close to the skin while you are scooping as you can without breaking it, because the emptier the potato, the more delicious beef filling you can smoosh in there.
Once you have the potato insides scooped, mash them with some milk and butter until they are nice and smooth. Now pack as much shepherd’s pie filling as you can into each potato skin. It’s okay if it is heaped up higher than the edge of the skin, because the mashed potatoes we are about to spread on top will keep everything in its place.
Now drizzle a little melted butter on top of the potatoes and bake them until the tops start to get a little golden, about 20 minutes or so, and then slide one of those babies on to each plate. Admire it for a few minutes as you realize that this is your potato and yours alone…another of the many advantages of making twice baked shepherd’s pie potatoes. Feel pretty much like this, including the hand-clapping part…
…and dig in!
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Twice Baked Shepherd’s Pie Potatoes
Prep Time: 15 minutes- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop, Oven, and Microwave
Cuisine: American
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 russet potatoes, scrubbed
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°. Heat a large skillet over high heat. Cook beef until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Scoop out beef and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium; add onion and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste. Add flour; cook, stirring, 2 minutes.
- Add Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 cup water, and beef. Season with a pinch each of salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make potatoes: pierce each potato a few times with a fork and microwave until tender, about 8 minutes. When they are cool enough to handle, cut an oval in the top of each potato and scoop out the insides, going as close as possible to the skin without breaking it.
- Mash the potato insides with milk and butter, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Place the potatoes on a foil-lined baking pan. Stuff the skins with the beef mixture, packing it in tight to use all of it. Top with mashed potato mixture and drizzle with melted butter.
- Bake until tops are just starting to brown, around 20 minutes. Serve!
Hi there! I’m Kate, and I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover. I started Framed Cooks in 2009, and my mission is to create and share family-friendly recipes that make cooking both easy and fun…yes, I said FUN! My kitchen is my happy place, and I want yours to be that place too. And if you make this recipe, I would love you to tag @FramedCooks on Instagram so I can see the deliciousness!
I love this. ‘Nough said. ;) <3
Me TOO! :) :)
I had no idea that if you made this dish with beef, it’s called a cottage pie. I definitely learn something new every day! :) This dish looks amazing, Kate! I love that you stuffed this goodness into a baked potato. Sounds like the ultimate comfort food!
It definitely IS such satisfying comfort food! :)
Can you believe I’ve never had Shepherd’s pie? I’ve had plenty of twice baked potatoes….I think this is such a great way of mixing things up because I tend to always do them the same ol’ way! These are a meal all by themselves!
Oh my gosh, just think of all the shepherd’s pie wonderfulness that lies in store for you! Hurray! :)
What an original way to eat shepherd’s pie, Kate! Love it. Very efficient, as you say, and super creative too. It’s always good to change things up a bit! Thanks for pointing out the difference between shepherd’s pie and cottage pie. I honestly had no idea what the difference was between the two until just now, and have always just used them interchangeably. You really do learn something new every day! Wishing you a very happy Easter :)
Thanks Lisa – hope you had a happy Easter too! And yes, the great cottage pie vs shepherd’s pie debate – took me ages to learn about that one! :)
Um, who is that adorable baby? Do you have another kid I didn’t know about? ;)
I prefer cottage pie to shepherd’s anyway, but whichever is always amazing .And stuffing it into potato is SO smart!!
That is my adorable little cousin. I mean, THOSE EYES – right?
Kate, I am clapping my hands so hard for you right now (well, that and making furious typing noises like I’m basically clapping-oh, the joys of multitasking.). I continue to adore your super creative fusions of two different dishes. First of all, potatoes are just EVERYTHING. Second of all, Shepherd’s Pie in a Baked Potato? You’re just killing me with deliciousness over here! Love it. Happy Monday, Kate! xoxo
You always make me smile SUCH a big smile, Demeter – I wish I could mail you a delectable shepherd’s pie potato! Happy Wednesday! xo
First of all, I say call this whatever you want, Kate! I personally like both lamb and beef and feel as though either one makes a Shepherds pie… so haters can just go away while I take their delicious pie… err potato in this case! Second, No I can not take how perfect and efficient these ‘taters are!!! These are beyond clever, dear! Love Love Love Love LOVE!!! Makes so much sense to stuff all that shepherds pie deliciousness INTO a potato, but I would have NEVER thought of it! I bow down to your genius! Pinned! Cheers, friend! xo
I AM! I AM going to call it what I want! Hear ye, hear ye! Love and kisses back to you!
this is a really great idea! it always makes me sad when people don’t eat their potato skins, and i feel like twice baked potatoes are a way to make sure that doesn’t happen. :)
You know, I never thought about that aspect to this recipe but you are ABSOLUTELY right!
I love meals like these that involve potatoes!! ;)
Loving the sound of it too!!
Me too – I could eat potatoes every day. Sigh.
Awww, that baby is so cute. And this shepherds pie looks super yum. Love the double baking idea.
He’s pretty adorable, right?
I love shepherds pie and never seen something like this done before. This looks so DELICIOUS!
Two great tastes that taste great together, as they say!