This Healthy Shepard’s Pie for Two is the ultimate comfort meal. It’s meaty and veggie-fied topped with insanely creamy mashed potatoes. You’re welcome.
Mushrooms. With stems or without? I’ve always been a believer that you need to pluck the stems off the mushrooms right away! They are tough and hearty and I didn’t see much use for them.
Then as I was cooking the other night, this urge to not waste food even-the-lonely-mushroom-stems came over me. It was very bizarre, but I learned a new thing about mushrooms.
PS– I’m a mushroom lover, if you didn’t know already. They do make me super happy that I try to eat all the mushrooms, even if they are on someone else’s plate. Not the slimy gross raw mushrooms. I just can’t get into those, but the slow cooked, grilled, or roasted garlicky mushrooms smothered in onions please.
Well I learned while cooking mushrooms for my Shepherd’s Pie that mushrooms stems are the meaty part. They really stand well in place of meat and they give a really full flavor to a dish. WOW.
Shepherd’s pie is a classic in the LaRue household. Not our house, but the house that my husband grew up in. They love their meat and potatoes and cheese, Shepherd’s Pie cannot be made without the cheese. This is news to me. As much as I love cheese, I don’t think this Shepherd’s Pie needs cheese but what the heck, I’m practically making this dish for him anyways so guess what… I added the cheese.
There are a zillion Healthy Shepherd’s Pie recipe’s out there but here’s what set’s this one apart. It’s for two, we’ll really 3. But a hungry husband practically eats for two so that counts. Since it’s just us and the cat, I don’t need a deep dish of casserole sitting around the house. I’m all about the leftovers so I made sure that this recipe could be doubled and cooked later. Score. I wrote it as a double batch, because that’s how I cook. Gotta have leftovers for lunch of there is no sense. But I don’t want leftovers for dayzzzzzz hence the Shepherd’s Pie for Two. End rant.
A few things I’ve come to learn about Shepherd’s Pie. It’s better with red wine, mushrooms stems, and yukon potatoes. Bam. And a strong cheddar, if you wish.
So I’d love to know, do you think Shepherd’s Pie is better with cheese? Do you eat mushrooms with stems? What family classic dish that you would enjoy as a kid?
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Healthy Shepherd’s Pie for Two
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 55 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
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This Healthy Shepard’s Pie for Two is the ultimate comfort meal. It’s meaty and veggie-fied topped with insanely creamy mashed potatoes. You’re welcome.
Ingredients
- 6 yukon potatoes, diced
- 1 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 sweet yellow onion, diced
- 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup red wine
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 8 ounces lean ground sirloin
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup plain non fat greek yogurt
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper; arrange potatoes, Drizzle with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and salt and pepper and bake for 35 minutes.
- In large pot, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions, mushrooms, garlic and salt and pepper.
- When the vegetables begin to soften, stir in wine. Continue cooking to reduce wine a bit.
- Stir in carrots and beef and cook until beef is browned.
- Stir in peas, corn, and flour.
- Add chicken broth and any additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Whip the roasted potatoes with mixer with yogurt and milk.
- Pour beef mixture into two small baking dishes (4X4) OR one 8X8 inch baking dish.
- Layer beef with mashed potatoes and top with cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and tops are tops are browned.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
- Calories: 361
- Sugar: 7g
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 21g
Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, RD (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. On Love & Zest, you’ll find healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast, meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.
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I don’t understand. The recipe says this is for six servings, not two.
Yes! It serves 4-6 which allows for leftovers for the week but it’s made in a square baking dish so that’s half of the traditional recipe portion sizes.
Was wondering if this could be just as good with a different meat, my hub has high iron and can’t eat to much red meat!
Yeah absolutely! You could totally make it with ground turkey or chicken.
My wife and I have changed our poor eating habits I found your site and with the many out there I make your meals 99 % of the time. Looking forward to making more of your meals tonight I’m making the Shepard pie for the first time. My wife made her weight goal yesterday and I’m on the way. Thanks Chuck
OK, making your version next. We’re not big leftover fans either…but will have to double this..or triple because I’m guessing everyone will love. Especially like the cheese addition!
hahaha!
Are you able to freeze left overs for later?
Hey Heather! YES! Wrap it really good in aluminum foil and place in a freezer safe bag! Or if you’re going to bake it later that week just wrap it and place in fridge– that’s what I did. We loved it so much I baked it the next morning for lunches 🙂
I think everything is better with cheese 😉
Typically I’m in your camp– but those mashed potatoes were soooo creamy the cheese just didn’t do anything for me. And the hubs said more cheese please! haha
I love mushrooms, but I’ve actually never (gasp) had Shepherd’s pie. This sounds so warm and delicious- perfect for winter!
wahhhhh!? To it!
I LOVE mushrooms, and yes, I eat the stems. One of my sisters was the only one who really requested shepard’s pie growing up and I don’t remember my mom cooking it too often haha but your recipe sounds delicious! My mom’s stuffed shells or chicken and rice were some classics.
We weren’t a Shepherd’s Pie family– pot roast and mashed potatoes was my mommas specialty. I need those stuffed shells btw.
I LOVE shepherd’s pie, and the fact that you made it two-person compatible just makes me SO happy!
Your comment makes me so happy.
My husband and I love “for two” size dishes – pinned to my menu for two! Looks delicious 🙂
Thanks Whitney 🙂