Italian Shepards Pie Recipe

Every Shepherd I know loves Michele Romano's Italian shepards pie recipe !! Just joking of course, but the point is even a shepards pie can be remarkably tasty and very satisfying, especially when it becomes an Italian creation.

Shepards pie probably did not originate in Italy, yet still, with the popularity of Italian cuisine and the warm character and comfort of many Mediterranean dishes, shephards pie can't possibly be excluded from Italian fare! Just the exact amount of spice in the meat mixture and the perfect amount of pizzazz when topped with garlic parmesan cheese mashed potatoes makes this shepards pie recipe a must for every cook out there!

Question: "If shepherds tend sheep, why don't cowards tend cows?"

Note: The middle green bean, cream cheese layer is optional. See below for instruction.

Shepards Pie Recipe

Ingredients: (for meat layer on bottom)

• 1 1/2 lb lean ground beef.
• 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/2 tbsp oregano
• 1/2 tbsp basil
• 1/2 tsp chilies
• 1 red or green pepper, diced
• 1 cup of mushrooms, sliced
• 1-14 oz can of Italian stewed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup organic beef broth
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
• 2 tbsp flour

Ingredients: Middle Creamy Green Been Layer. (This middle layer can be optional)

• 1 1/2 cups of green Romano beans or other steamed green beans. (I used my own canned Romano beans)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup plain cream cheese

Preparation: (For middle layer)

1. Place a layer of cooked green beans on meat mixture. In a sauce pan melt butter, whisk in flour and milk and cream cheese until thickened. Pour cream sauce on green beans.

Ingredients (For mashed potato topping)

• 8 potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• Pepper

Preparation:

1. In a large frying pan, fry beef, onions, garlic, and seasonings together well.
2. Add in green or red pepper and mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes.
3. Stir in tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire, salt, pepper and Simmer 5 minutes so some of the juice evaporates.
4. Stir in flour to thicken.
5. Pour meat mixture in 9x13 inch baking dish.
6. Boil potatoes until soft, drain and mash or whip in butter, milk, egg, Parmesan, garlic salt and pepper.
7. Using a spatula, spread potato mixture on the top.
8. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
9. Broil top for approximately 10 minutes, watching closely until golden on top.
10. Remove from oven and let set for 10 minutes.

Prep time: 45 min.
Cook time: 45 min.
Serves: 8 to 10
Live Long and Mangia!