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Irresistible Irish Shepherd’s Pie Cups

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These mini shepherd’s pies are a quick and easy comfort food with savory ground beef, veggies, and a crispy mashed potato topping, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any cozy occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • ½ cup (75 g) frozen peas
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) tomato paste
  • ½ cup (120 ml) beef broth
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 large potatoes, peeled and chopped (Yukon Gold or Russet)
  • 4 tbsp (60 g) butter, divided
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • ½ cup (50 g) shredded Irish cheddar cheese (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin generously with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Place peeled and chopped potatoes in a large pot. Cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, bring to a boil, and cook for 15-20 minutes until tender.
  3. While potatoes cook, heat 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and carrots, sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Increase heat to medium-high, add ground beef, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Stir in tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and frozen peas. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes until flavors meld and liquid reduces slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Drain potatoes thoroughly. Return to pot or mixing bowl. Add 3 tbsp butter and milk. Mash until smooth but still a bit rustic. Stir in cheddar cheese if using. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Spoon about 2 tbsp of meat mixture into each muffin cup, pressing down lightly. Top each with 2-3 tbsp mashed potatoes, spreading to cover filling completely. Use a fork to create a textured pattern on the potato tops.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until potato topping is golden and edges are crispy.
  9. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from the tin. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.

Notes

Grease muffin tin well to prevent sticking. Do not overmix mashed potatoes to keep texture and crispiness. Prepare filling a day ahead to save time. Avoid overfilling muffin cups for best structure. Yukon Gold potatoes recommended for creamy mash. For dairy-free, use plant-based butter and milk substitutes. Ground lamb can be used for traditional flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Irish shepherd’s pie, shepherd’s pie cups, St. Patrick’s Day recipe, mini shepherd’s pies, comfort food, ground beef recipe, mashed potato topping

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