Funeral Potatoes Shepherds Pie (Printer View)

Hearty casserole featuring creamy potatoes with savory meat and vegetable layers, topped with crunchy cheddar.

# Components:

→ Potato Topping

01 - 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
02 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 3/4 cup sour cream
04 - 1/3 cup whole milk
05 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Meat and Vegetable Base

09 - 1 lb ground beef or lamb
10 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
11 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
12 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
13 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
14 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
15 - 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
17 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Crunchy Topping

19 - 2 cups cornflakes, lightly crushed
20 - 2 tablespoons melted butter
21 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, approximately 15 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
03 - Mash cooked potatoes with butter, sour cream, milk, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
04 - In a large skillet, cook ground beef or lamb over medium heat until fully browned. Drain excess fat from the pan.
05 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until softened, approximately 3 minutes.
06 - Stir in frozen vegetables, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, broth, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
07 - Spread the meat and vegetable mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
08 - Spread the mashed potato mixture over the meat filling, ensuring complete coverage of the base layer.
09 - Combine crushed cornflakes with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the potatoes. Top with remaining cheddar cheese.
10 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the filling bubbles at the edges.
11 - Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Two classics in one: You get the creamy, cheesy potato luxury of funeral potatoes without sacrificing the hearty, savory meat filling that makes shepherds pie so satisfying.
  • Crispy cornflake topping is the secret weapon: It adds this unexpected crunch that people cannot stop talking about, and it sets it apart from the usual potato-only finish.
  • Actually manageable for weeknight cooking: The whole thing comes together in just over an hour, and most of the work is just boiling potatoes and browning meat.
02 -
  • Do not skip draining the cooked meat: I learned this the hard way when my casserole turned into a greasy puddle, and now I always spoon off the fat that pools at the top because it changes everything about how the dish tastes and feels.
  • The cornflake topping only stays crispy if you do not cover the dish while baking: Steam kills crunch faster than anything else, so resist the urge to tent it with foil no matter how fast it is browning.
03 -
  • Make this the day before and refrigerate it unbaked: Everything melds together overnight, and sometimes it tastes better because the flavors have time to know each other. Just add 10 minutes to the bake time since it is cold when it goes in.
  • A green salad on the side is not optional: Something acidic and crisp next to all this richness keeps the meal from feeling heavy, and it tastes like you planned this whole thing carefully.
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