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Recipes » dinner » Twice Baked Shepherd’s Pie Potatoes

Twice Baked Shepherd’s Pie Potatoes

By Kate Morgan Jackson

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This easy recipe for twice baked shepherd’s pie potatoes stuffs a potato with shepherd’s pie fixings and tops it with mashed potato!

Twice Baked Shepherd's Pie Potatoes

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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???  

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.

Ingredients you need to make these Shepherd’s pie potatoes!

  • Russet or Idaho Potatoes
  • Ground Beef
  • Onion
  • Carrots
  • Tomato Paste
  • Flour
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Milk
  • Butter
  • Salt and Pepper

Here’s how to make twice baked shepherd’s pie potatoes!

(Scroll down for the handy complete printable recipe with nutrition info!)

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. Yep, spread those mashies on top of each potato. Don’t leave any left behind.

Now bake up 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.  

More Tips for Making Stuffed Shepherd’s Pie Potatoes

Can I use Yukon Golds or other kinds of potatoes for this recipe?

Nope on the Yukon Golds, but potentially yes on the other kinds. You need a potato with a sturdy skin (like Idahos, Russets or even sweet potatoes) to hold in the filling. Yukon Golds are perfect for regular mashies like these brown butter mashed potatoes, but for twice baked your best bet is the sturdier guys.

Can I use chopped lamb to make this recipe totally authentic?

You can! The trick will be finding it…ask at your meat counter or your local butcher. Or, if you have leftover leg of lamb, mince it up and stir it in when you add the Worcestershire sauce.

What are good side dishes for shepherd’s pie potatoes?

I like to add another veggie on the side, like these roasted string beans with walnuts. And maybe some butter biscuits? And of course, we need dessert…the last time I made these I served up some apple cider bundt cake for everyone who cleaned their plate (that was everyone at the table.)

Have a question I didn’t cover?

Drop your question in the comments and I promise to answer pronto!

Very Important Step: 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.  You get the whole thing.

Feel pretty much like this, including the hand-clapping part…

Framed Cooks on Instagram

…and dig in!

Print

Twice Baked Shepherd’s Pie Potatoes


  • Author: Kate Jackson
  • 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
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Description

This easy recipe for twice baked shepherd’s pie potatoes stuffs a potato with shepherd’s pie fixings and tops it with mashed potato!


Ingredients

  • 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Mash the potato insides with milk and butter, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  6. 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.
  7. Bake until tops are just starting to brown, around 20 minutes. Serve!

Notes

Need to add something to your kitchen equipment to make this recipe? Below are some of the items we used in the Framed Cooks kitchen to help cook this up. These are affiliate links to things we use and love, which helps to pay for all that bacon I keep buying (without any extra cost to you)!  Thanks for using them to keep our kitchen cooking…xoxo!

Equipment We Used For This Recipe

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6129.6 g230.3 mg29.6 g14.1 g1 g58.7 g5.6 g29.1 g110.1 mg

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Kate Morgan Jackson

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!

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Published on March 24, 2016

Good for: Comfort Foods, Kate's Favorites, St Patricks Day

Last Post:
Bacon and Egg Soup
Next Post:
Easy Chicken and Baby Dumpling Soup

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  1. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says

    March 24, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    I love this. ‘Nough said. ;) <3

    Reply
    • Kate says

      March 28, 2016 at 7:54 am

      Me TOO! :) :)

      Reply
  2. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    March 25, 2016 at 8:12 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      March 28, 2016 at 7:54 am

      It definitely IS such satisfying comfort food! :)

      Reply
  3. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says

    March 26, 2016 at 9:59 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      March 28, 2016 at 7:54 am

      Oh my gosh, just think of all the shepherd’s pie wonderfulness that lies in store for you! Hurray! :)

      Reply
  4. Lisa | Chocolate Meets Strawberry says

    March 26, 2016 at 8:24 pm

    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 :)

    Reply
    • Kate says

      March 28, 2016 at 7:53 am

      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! :)

      Reply
  5. Mir says

    March 28, 2016 at 6:10 am

    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!!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      March 28, 2016 at 7:51 am

      That is my adorable little cousin. I mean, THOSE EYES – right?

      Reply
  6. demeter | beaming baker says

    March 28, 2016 at 8:50 am

    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

    Reply
    • Kate says

      March 30, 2016 at 12:35 pm

      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

      Reply
  7. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    March 28, 2016 at 10:07 am

    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

    Reply
    • Kate says

      March 30, 2016 at 12:36 pm

      I AM! I AM going to call it what I want! Hear ye, hear ye! Love and kisses back to you!

      Reply
  8. grace says

    March 28, 2016 at 12:55 pm

    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. :)

    Reply
    • Kate says

      March 30, 2016 at 12:36 pm

      You know, I never thought about that aspect to this recipe but you are ABSOLUTELY right!

      Reply
  9. [email protected] says

    March 28, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    I love meals like these that involve potatoes!! ;)
    Loving the sound of it too!!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      March 30, 2016 at 12:37 pm

      Me too – I could eat potatoes every day. Sigh.

      Reply
  10. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    March 28, 2016 at 1:56 pm

    Awww, that baby is so cute. And this shepherds pie looks super yum. Love the double baking idea.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      March 30, 2016 at 12:37 pm

      He’s pretty adorable, right?

      Reply
  11. Amanda | Yum In Your Tum says

    March 28, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    I love shepherds pie and never seen something like this done before. This looks so DELICIOUS!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      March 30, 2016 at 12:38 pm

      Two great tastes that taste great together, as they say!

      Reply

Hi, I’m Kate! I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover. I’m so glad you’re here!

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