Here we are, cruising right into 2022. Dan and I took down the tree and packed away all of the Christmas decorations yesterday.
With Dan home for a few days and nights, it would seem our critters have retired to the basement to hibernate, or whatever it is that critters do when they feel unwelcome. At any rate there is no sign of them upstairs or down for the past couple of days. We still have a multitude of electronic and sticky traps about the place. So far the only thing to get stuck on any of the sticky traps was one small hairy dog.
After the packing up and housecleaning and laundry was done last night, we decided on a quick and easy basic comfort food supper. Shepherd’s Pie it was.
- (Working Mom’s) Shepherd’s Pie
- Brown one pound ground beef. Add one red onion, one shallot, two small cloves of finely chopped garlic, half a red pepper and a few sliced mushrooms. Cook until vegetables are tender. Add one can of Swiss Chalet beef gravy. Stir and simmer for a few minutes.
- Make four servings of Idahoan mashed potatoes as per instructions on box. When ready, mix in one quarter of a cup of grated cheddar cheese.
- Spread meat mixture in buttered casserole dish
- Cover with one can of niblets corn
- Cover with mashed potatoes. Top with bits of butter and a sprinkle of paprika.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for one hour or until browned and bubbly
I used to make Shepherd’s pie with fresh mashed potatoes and homemade gravy, but this is quicker and easier. If you served them side by side, people would notice the difference, but honestly if this is the only option, most people will think it is real deal.
That is it for today. Take care and have a great day!
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 
Poor Kat, I hope the sticky pad came off easily! The pie looks so delicious, I’ll eat it right out of the pan without the final topping. Have a great Sunday!
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Thank you, John! The pad came off ok but I had to clip off a bit of hair to get rid of some glue left on her paw. You too!
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Love a shepherd’s pie, but I’m always a little greedy and want to eat all the mashed potatoes off the top!
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We would get along great – I am more of the meat and vegetable type.
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Perfect!
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Not our mothers recipe but I’d eat it.
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Mother would definitely roll over in her grave. Tonight I am making rice. Mom seldom said anything negative about my cooking but she drew the line at my rice. 😂. I have improved my technique. 👍
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Aww Kat looks so sad.. Would you please give a comfort-hug from me? Shepherd’s pie is very delicious and the perfect dish on a cold day. Yours looks yummy!
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A excellent choice to follow festive fodder.
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Thank you, Kitty and I will be happy to give her your hug. 🤗
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Thank you, Derrick! I thought so, too.
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Hoping those critters have somehow gotten outside and are gone. Those things are really sticky, sorry it was Kat that stuck and not the critters. The Shepherds pie looks delicious and those flowers are beautiful.
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Thank you, Frony! We had one stubborn straggler that got left behind but I think we may have gotten rid of him last night. The flowers were beautiful – from our beautiful granddaughter Genie and her boyfriend Alex.
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I sure hope they are all gone. Be well and have a great day, Anne.
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Thank you, Frony! I hope you are having a great day as well!
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I love shepherd’s pie but have never been able to stand instant potatoes. Of course they may have improved since their introduction–to great excitement from my mother–in 1960.
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They have definitely improved – they used to be horrid, but I only use the one brand and I only use it in something like shepherd’s pie.
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Just reading your post sent me back to my mother’s infatuation with them! That and powdered milk. And canned Chinese food. She had odd ideas of good food I think.
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Lol. I guess I was very fortunate that my mother was an amazing cook and baker – especially back in the day when there was not the variety of fresh foods that we enjoy now. I have never been a fan of any kind of mashed potatoes so always used them sparingly – even the homemade ones. I remember keeping powdered milk in my house for baking emergencies but never tried to get my kids to drink it (and I haven’t drank milk for as long as I can remember.) I can’t say I have ever seen a can of Chinese food. Do they still sell it?
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I hope they don’t still sell canned Chinese food. My mother was not a good cook and made dinner every night with obvious resentment. Still, she did make dinner every night!
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Sadly, that is more than a lot of kids get. I don’t mind cooking but I prefer baking – and I would definitely prefer having a better kitchen to cook in. Ours is just way too small and has way too few plug ins. It is more frustrating than fun to work in.
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I made this today and it was just the thing for a cold Cleveland day. I made it earlier in the day and we reheated it. It stood up just fine! I will definitely make it again!! Thanks for the recipe and all your posts!
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Thank you, Martha! I am glad you enjoyed it. 😊
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I agree that we had little reason to complain. Our kitchen is quite small but I love to bake just the same. I do have to put a lot of things on top of a lot of other things to do it. My air fryer was in the dining room for a long time.
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What other dishes do you use paprika for! How would you describe the flavor it adds to your food?
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I use it in chilli and to add a sprinkle of color to grilled chicken and the like. My husband uses it a lot in traditional Hungarian dishes. It is a bit smokey/peppery.
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