Shepherd’s Pie Soup

Instructions:

1. Make the Mashed Potatoes:

Start by preparing the mashed potatoes for the topping. Place the diced potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Drain and return the potatoes to the pot. Add the butter, milk, salt, and pepper, then mash until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

2. Cook the Ground Meat:

While the potatoes are cooking, heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or lamb) and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once the meat is browned, drain any excess fat.

3. Sauté the Vegetables:

To the same pot, add the chopped onion, garlic, and diced carrots. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the carrots begin to soften. Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring to coat the vegetables.

4. Simmer the Soup:

Next, add the broth, diced potatoes, thyme, rosemary, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir everything together and bring the soup to a simmer. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded together. Add the peas and corn during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

5. Assemble the Soup:

Once the soup is done, ladle it into bowls. Spoon a generous dollop of mashed potatoes on top of each serving. You can swirl the mashed potatoes into the soup for a creamy finish or leave them as a fluffy topping, just like the crust of a traditional Shepherd’s Pie.

6. Serve and Enjoy:

Serve the Shepherd’s Pie Soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of cheese if desired. For extra richness, drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the mashed potatoes before serving.

Tips for Making the Best Shepherd’s Pie Soup:

1. Make it Ahead: Shepherd’s Pie Soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors have time to deepen. You can store the soup (without the mashed potatoes) in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove and top with freshly made mashed potatoes when serving.
2. Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes: If you have leftover mashed potatoes, this is the perfect recipe to use them! Simply skip the step of making the mashed potatoes from scratch and add your leftovers as the topping.
3. Swap the Meat: Traditionally made with ground lamb, Shepherd’s Pie Soup can be adapted to suit your taste. Use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian version. If you want a richer flavor, ground pork is also a great option.
4. Make it Spicy: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the soup while it simmers. You could also drizzle some hot sauce on top of the soup for an extra kick.
5. Vegetarian Option: To make this soup vegetarian, replace the ground meat with cooked lentils, mushrooms, or a plant-based meat alternative. Vegetable broth can be used in place of beef broth.
6. Add Extra Veggies: If you want to sneak in more vegetables, try adding zucchini, celery, or parsnips to the soup. They’ll blend in with the other flavors and add even more nutrition.
7. Gravy Option: For an even richer version of the soup, you can mix in a tablespoon or two of brown gravy mix or make a simple gravy by thickening some of the broth with a flour slurry (1 tablespoon flour mixed with 2 tablespoons water) for a more luxurious texture.

Why This Recipe is a Must-Try:

1. Hearty Comfort: Shepherd’s Pie Soup combines the best aspects of Shepherd’s Pie—meat, veggies, and mashed potatoes—into a comforting, one-pot meal that’s perfect for colder months or any time you’re craving something hearty and filling.
2. Customizable: Whether you prefer a meaty or vegetarian version, this recipe can be easily adapted to suit your dietary preferences. Swap ingredients, adjust seasoning, and make it your own.
3. Quick and Easy: Unlike traditional Shepherd’s Pie, which requires layers and a long bake time, this soup is much quicker to make and only requires a few simple steps. It’s an easy, flavorful dinner that doesn’t take much effort.
4. Perfect for Leftovers: This soup makes great leftovers and is perfect for meal prepping. Make a big batch at the beginning of the week and have a comforting lunch or dinner ready to go whenever you need it.
5. A Filling Meal: The combination of protein-rich meat (or plant-based alternatives), vegetables, and mashed potatoes makes this soup satisfying enough to stand as a full meal. No need to worry about making side dishes!

Conclusion:

Shepherd’s Pie Soup is a cozy, comforting meal that brings all the flavors of your favorite Shepherd’s Pie into a warm, hearty soup. With its rich, savory broth, tender ground meat, vegetables, and creamy mashed potato topping, this dish is the ultimate comfort food. It’s simple to make, easy to customize, and sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, this soup is guaranteed to hit the spot. So grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a bowl of Shepherd’s Pie Soup—it’s the hearty, delicious meal you’ve been craving!