Italian Shepards Pie Crockpot Base Recipes

Steps:

• Line unpricked pastry shell with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 450° for 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and remove foil; set aside. Reduce heat to 350°. , In a large skillet, cook sausage until no longer pink; drain well on paper towels. Place cottage cheese and egg in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in potatoes, sour cream, oregano, salt and pepper., Place sausage in pastry shell; top with potato mixture. Drizzle with butter. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Sprinkle with cheese; let stand until melted. Garnish with tomatoes tossed with minced parsley if desired.

Steps:

• Brown the meat with the onion, garlic, celery and carrots until ground beef is no longer pink; drain any fat.
• Mix corn, sweet peas, salt, black pepper, tomato paste and water (fill up the 6 oz tomato paste can for measurement) into the meat mixture; stir well.
• Spray the inside of the crockpot with non-stick cooking spray; pour meat mixture into the bottom of crockpot; press into the bottom of the crockpot so it is dense and even.
• Spread leftover mashed potatoes (evenly) over the meat mixture.
• Sprinkle the mashed potatoes with paprika (optional, for garnish).
• Cook on low 6 hours (high 3 hours); then, remove the lid for 30 minutes to allow the potatoes to brown.
• Sprinkle pie with fresh, chopped parsley (optional, for garnish).
• VARIATION 1: CHEESY SHEPHERD'S PIE--Add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese to the pie by pressing the cheese over the meat mixture, and then layering the mashed potatoes on top of the cheese; Cook same length, same way.
• VARIATION 2: RUNZA/CABBAGE SHEPHERD'S PIE--Substitute shredded cabbage (2 cups) for the peas and corn; cook same length, same way.

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain, then shake potatoes over low heat for 1 minute to dry. Mash potatoes, gradually adding butter and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. , Add tomato paste; cook for 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms, carrots, broth, wine, Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until most of the liquid is evaporated. Stir in peas. Season with remaining salt and pepper., Transfer beef mixture to a greased 4-qt. slow cooker. Spread mashed potatoes over top. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until bubbly. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Just before serving, sprinkle with parsley.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place the potatoes and water to cover in a large pot over high heat. Boil for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat; drain excess fat.
• To the ground beef, add the tomato sauce, parsley, Worcestershire sauce to taste, salt, ground black pepper and green beans. In a separate small bowl, mix the flour with the 3 tablespoons water and stir into the beef mixture.
• Stir all together well. Drain the potatoes, mash and spread over the beef mixture Place 2 to 3 vent holes through the mashed potatoes.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 minutes. Brush the milk over the potatoes for the last 5 minutes of baking.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 2-quart casserole or 11x7-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef, onion and carrots to skillet; sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper. Cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is brown.
• Stir in mushrooms and pasta sauce. Heat to boiling. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spread in casserole.
• Make potatoes as directed on pouch using water, milk and butter. Spoon into 8 mounds around edge of hot beef mixture. Sprinkle cheese over all.
• Bake uncovered 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and potatoes are light golden brown.

Steps:

• In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned; drain. Stir in soup, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Spread mixture evenly in bottom of 6-quart slow cooker. Top evenly with frozen vegetables.
• In 2-quart saucepan, heat water and butter to a rapid boil. Remove from heat; stir in milk and dry potatoes until just combined. Let stand 1 minute, then stir again. Spread evenly over top of vegetables in slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on Low heat setting 4 to 5 hours or until warm and vegetables are cooked through.
• Serve warm sprinkled with herbs.