Shepherd’s Pie with Leftover Turkey: A Comforting and Festive Dish

Shepherd’s Pie with Turkey Leftovers: A Comforting and Easy-to-Make Dish

The holidays are over, but the leftovers are still going strong. If you’re looking for a way to use up your leftover turkey, shepherd’s pie is a great option. This classic dish is hearty, filling, and comforting, and it’s perfect for a cold winter night.

Shepherd’s pie is traditionally made with lamb, but it can also be made with beef or chicken. In this recipe, we’re using leftover turkey, which gives the dish a delicious and festive flavor.

This shepherd’s pie is easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients. You can have it on the table in just about an hour, so it’s perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

So next time you’re looking for a way to use up your leftover turkey, give this shepherd’s pie a try. It’s sure to become a new family favorite!

Ingredient	Quantity	Instructions
Ground turkey	1 pound	Brown the ground turkey in a large skillet over medium heat until cooked through.
Potatoes	3 large	Peel and cube the potatoes. Boil in salted water until tender, then drain and mash.
Onion	1 large	Chop the onion.
Garlic	2 cloves	Mince the garlic.
Celery	1 stalk	Chop the celery.
Carrots	1 large	Chop the carrots.
Beef broth	1 cup	Pour the beef broth into the skillet with the ground turkey and bring to a simmer.
Worcestershire sauce	1 tablespoon	Add the Worcestershire sauce to the skillet.
Dried thyme	1 teaspoon	Add the dried thyme to the skillet.
Salt	To taste	Season with salt to taste.
Pepper	To taste	Season with pepper to taste.
Cornstarch	2 tablespoons	In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water until smooth.
Milk	1 cup	Add the milk to the skillet and bring to a simmer.
Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until the gravy thickens.	Pour the gravy over the mashed potatoes.	Top with the turkey and vegetables.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.	Serve immediately.

Ingredients

For the Shepherd’s Pie:

* 2 pounds ground turkey
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 cups frozen peas and carrots
* 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
* 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
* 1 cup milk
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

For the Mashed Potatoes:

* 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/4 cup butter
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation

To make the Shepherd’s Pie:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground turkey. Drain any excess grease.
3. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the peas and carrots, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, milk, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until thickened.
5. Transfer the shepherd’s pie filling to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
6. To make the mashed potatoes:

1. In a large pot over medium heat, bring the potatoes and milk to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
2. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or an electric mixer until smooth.
3. Stir in the butter, salt, and pepper.
7. Spread the mashed potatoes over the shepherd’s pie filling.
8. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Ingredients

* 1 pound ground beef
* 1 pound ground lamb
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 cups beef broth
* 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
* 1 (10 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 cup frozen peas
* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
* 1 cup mashed potatoes

Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and lamb until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
2. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the beef broth, tomato sauce, cream of mushroom soup, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
4. Stir in the peas and cook for 5 minutes more.
5. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
6. Spread the meat mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with the mashed potatoes and then the cheddar cheese.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Serving

Shepherd’s pie with turkey leftovers can be served on its own or with a side salad. Enjoy!

Shepherd’s pie with turkey leftovers is a hearty and delicious meal that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Enjoy!

Q: What is Shepherd’s Pie?

A: Shepherd’s Pie is a traditional British dish made with ground lamb, vegetables, and gravy, topped with mashed potatoes. It is often served as a main course for dinner.

Q: Can I make Shepherd’s Pie with turkey leftovers?

A: Yes, you can make Shepherd’s Pie with turkey leftovers. Simply use cooked turkey instead of lamb, and follow the same recipe.

Q: What are some tips for making a great Shepherd’s Pie?

A: Here are a few tips for making a great Shepherd’s Pie:

• Use fresh, high-quality ingredients.
• Brown the meat well before adding it to the vegetables.
• Make sure the gravy is thick and flavorful.
• Top the pie with mashed potatoes and bake until golden brown.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when making Shepherd’s Pie?

A: Here are a few common mistakes people make when making Shepherd’s Pie:

• Not browning the meat well enough.
• Not using enough vegetables.
• Making the gravy too thin.
• Not baking the pie long enough.

Q: How can I make Shepherd’s Pie ahead of time?

A: You can make Shepherd’s Pie ahead of time by preparing the filling and mashed potatoes separately, then assembling the pie and baking it just before serving. To make the filling, brown the meat, vegetables, and gravy in a large saucepan. Let cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To make the mashed potatoes, cook the potatoes according to package directions, then mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Let cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To assemble the pie, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, combine the filling and mashed potatoes. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the potatoes are heated through and the top is golden brown.

Q: How can I store Shepherd’s Pie?

A: Shepherd’s Pie can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw the pie in the refrigerator overnight, then bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30-35 minutes, or until heated through.

Q: What are some variations on the traditional Shepherd’s Pie recipe?

A: There are many variations on the traditional Shepherd’s Pie recipe. Some popular variations include:

• Using beef instead of lamb.
• Adding other vegetables, such as peas, carrots, or corn.
• Using a different type of gravy, such as a white sauce or a mushroom gravy.
• Topping the pie with cheese.

Q: What are some other dishes that can be made with turkey leftovers?

A: There are many other dishes that can be made with turkey leftovers. Some popular options include:

• Turkey soup
• Turkey sandwiches
• Turkey pot pie
• Turkey chili
• Turkey casserole

Shepherd’s pie is a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for using up leftover turkey. This recipe is easy to follow and can be customized to your liking. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. So next time you have leftover turkey, don’t forget to make shepherd’s pie!

Here are some key takeaways from the content:

* Shepherd’s pie is a traditional British dish made with ground meat, vegetables, and mashed potatoes.
* It is a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for using up leftover turkey.
* This recipe is easy to follow and can be customized to your liking.
* With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.