This easy recipe for twice baked shepherd’s pie potatoes stuffs a potato with shepherd’s pie fixings and tops it with mashed potato!
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Why we love this recipe
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
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.
Here’s how to make this recipe
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.
Recipe FAQs
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.
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.
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.)
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…
…and dig in!
Twice Baked Shepherd’s Pie Potatoes
This easy recipe for twice baked shepherd’s pie potatoes stuffs a potato with shepherd’s pie fixings and tops it with mashed potato!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop, Oven, and Microwave
- Cuisine: American
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
- 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.
- Bake until tops are just starting to brown, around 20 minutes. Serve!
OTHER SHEPHERD’S PIE RECIPES WE LOVE!
Amanda | Yum In Your Tum says
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!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Awww, that baby is so cute. And this shepherds pie looks super yum. Love the double baking idea.
He’s pretty adorable, right?
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
I love meals like these that involve potatoes!! ;)
Loving the sound of it too!!
Me too – I could eat potatoes every day. Sigh.
grace says
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!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
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!
demeter | beaming baker says
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
Mir says
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?
Lisa | Chocolate Meets Strawberry says
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! :)
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
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! :)
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
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! :)
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
I love this. ‘Nough said. ;) <3
Me TOO! :) :)