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Sneak Preview: This Shepherd’s Pie with Leftover Roast Beef recipe is a simple way to use pot roast or roast beef leftovers for a weeknight casserole. You won’t encourage seconds of your Sunday pot roast with dreams of this Shepherd’s Pie in your head.
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If your family can predict the menu for the next two or three days whenever you prepare a beef roast, surprise them. Use your leftovers to make Shepherd’s Pie. This recipe might be even better than the original pot roast and potatoes that started it.
Leftovers were never so comforting.
Four Reasons Why This Will Become a Favorite Recipe
- Surprise your family with something new and better than just reheating leftover roast and potatoes.
- Because the meat is already cooked, it doesn’t take long to assemble this recipe.
- Have fun with the vegetables. Use corn, green beans, mushrooms, or baby limas if you prefer. Substitute mashed cauliflower for the potatoes.
- Because there are only two people at my dinner table, we sometimes have shepherd’s pie leftovers. They are worth fighting over.
Happy Cooks Speak Up
“Absolutely yummy recipe! Used left over Tri-tip and it was perfect. Thank you for giving me another great go-to recipe! Family loved it too!!” — CHRISTY M.
Is it Called Shepherd’s Pie or Cottage Pie?
According to Jamie Oliver, make this recipe with lamb and call it Shepherd’s Pie. Then, make it with beef and call it Cottage Pie. Oops! This recipe calls for beef; however, I called it Shepherd’s Pie—my mistake.
But it’s too late to teach Google a new trick. So anyway, I think most Americans call this dish Shepherd’s Pie no matter what kind of meat they use.
Roast Beef Leftovers?
I called this a”Weeknight” recipe because we usually have pot roast on Sunday. So that means we have this easy leftover beef recipe the following week.
Whenever I have this dilemma, I can’t decide if I want this Weeknight Shepherd’s Pie recipe, Vegetable Beef Soup, Steak and Mushroom Soup, or Leftover Brisket Quesadillas. They are all great ways to recycle leftover beef.
Another quick idea that doesn’t require a recipe is a beef roll-up. Slice or dice your beef, add shredded cheese and roll it up in a tortilla or big lettuce leaf. Or make roast beef enchiladas substituting finely chopped roast beef for the ground meat in these Memorable Green Chile Beef Enchiladas.
While we’re on the topic of roast beef leftovers, here are some other leftovers that could provide the beef for this recipe:
- Thinly slices of leftover steak
- Leftover roast beef stroganoff (without egg noodles, pasta, or rice added)
- Roast beef sandwiches with horseradish
- Roast beef sliders
- Beef stew
PinIf you don’t have leftovers, buy a pot roast or use sliced roast beef from the deli counter—more about that in the recipe.
PinPossible Substitutions
1. Ground Beef for Leftover Pot Roast
It’s worth noting that many people substitute one pound of ground beef for pot roast or roast beef. Of course, you could also substitute lamb or ground turkey.
Pin2. Leftover Mashed Potatoes
The recipe below includes instructions for the mashed potato topping if you don’t have leftovers. I try to make plenty of potatoes and gravy, too. I don’t have to make them again for this recipe.
3. Mashed Cauliflower for Potatoes
Are you counting carbs? Substitute mashed cauliflower for the potatoes. It’s also scrumptious. If you use my recipe for mashed cauliflower (it’s not mushy at all), I bet your family will be hard-pressed to tell the difference.
4. Mushrooms, Corn, or Green Beans
If mushrooms aren’t your thing, no worries. Leave them out.
If you want more veggies, I have subbed corn or green beans in the past, and it didn’t hurt the recipe.
PinHow To Make the Mashed Potato Topping
The directions call for cooking three peeled potatoes in water. When tender, drain well.
I cook potatoes in the Instant Pot (paid link) by adding 1-1/2 cup water to the pot along with the peeled and chopped (large chunks) potatoes. (Note: If you’re a garlic lover, throw in a couple of garlic cloves.)
Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 10 minutes. Release the pressure immediately, and check if the potatoes are tender. Drain well and allow to sit in the hot pan for a few minutes to dry out.
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How To Assemble the Meat Layer
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PinSprinkle with dried or fresh thyme. (Optional: To add more flavor to the sauce, add Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, or other favorite spice mixtures.)
PinHow To Put Together Shepherd’s Pie with Leftover Roast Beef
PinI like using a spring-loaded ice cream scoop because it can be challenging to spread the potatoes like you frost a cake.
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PinSprinkle with paprika or smoked paprika if you like. Bake in a 350˚F (170˚C) oven until the mashed potato tips are golden brown and the beef layer is bubbly.
PinFAQ About Leftover Beef Recipes:
How do you moisten dry or leftover roast beef?
Add water, beef broth, barbecue sauce, or a cream soup such as condensed cream of mushroom sauce.
How do you tenderize leftover roast?
If your leftover roast beef is too chewy, it probably wasn’t cooked long enough originally. Simmer the meat in liquid until it is fork-tender. This may take a while, perhaps 1-3 hours.
What else can I do with leftover roast beef?
We love this Beef and Vegetable Soup Without Tomatoes that is good with a lot or a little beef.
Parting Thoughts: What did your mom do with roast beef leftovers? A friend says his mom always made Roast Beef Hash every Monday night because they always had Pot Roast and Potatoes on Sunday. Too bad she didn’t have this recipe in her back pocket to make her menu a little more interesting.
Help at Your Fingertips: For questions or suggestions, email Paula at saladinajar.com. If you need help, I’m happy to troubleshoot via email (faster than leaving a comment). Attach pictures and as many details as possible for the best advice.
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Yield: 8 servings
Weeknight Shepherd’s Pie with Leftover Roast Beef
By Paula Rhodes
This recipe features roast beef (leftovers are fine) and vegetables (peas and carrots) in a rich beef gravy covered with a layer of seasoned mashed potatoes.
Rate this recipe
(5 stars if you loved it)
5 from 111 votes
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Prep time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes minutes
Total time: 50 minutes minutes
Ingredients
Mashed Potato Topping:
- 3 medium (639 g) potatoes, peeled
- ½ cup (114 g) milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
Meat Layer:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ¼ cup (13 g) fresh or frozen onion, chopped fresh, or frozen
- 4 ounces (113 g) fresh mushrooms, sliced or chopped or 2 oz. canned mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup (140 g) frozen peas and carrots
- 1 .87 oz package (24 g) brown gravy mix + 1 cup water or use leftover gravy
- 1 package (482 g) beef roast au jus-17 ounces or 2-3 cups leftover beef roast, fork-shredded or cut into chunks
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- freshly-ground pepper
- paprika
- 2 tablespoon (28 g) butter thin slices
Instructions
Mashed Potato Topping
Cover 3 medium (639 g) potatoes, peeled with water, and boil until tender. Drain.
Mash potatoes until relatively smooth. Heat 1/2 cup (114 g) milk and 2 tablespoons butter in a microwave oven for 1 minute. Add to potatoes. Season to taste with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Beef Layer
Preheat your oven to 350˚ F (180˚C).
Preheat a large skillet and add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Sauté 1/4 cup (13 g) fresh or frozen onion, chopped in skillet until soft. Add 4 ounces (113 g) fresh mushrooms, sliced or chopped to onions, and continue to sauté until browned. Add 1 cup (140 g) frozen peas and carrots.
In a separate bowl, prepare 1 .87 oz package (24 g) brown gravy mix + 1 cup water. Add to skillet along with 1 package (482 g) beef roast au jus-17 ounces and 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme. Stir and simmer until the mixture begins to thicken. Season with freshly-ground pepper
Pour meat mixture into a greased 1-1/2 quart casserole dish. Carefully spoon mashed potatoes on top and swirl. Sprinkle with paprika if desired and 2 tablespoon (28 g) butter, thinly sliced.
Bake in 350˚F (180˚C) oven for 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are golden on top and the beef mixture is bubbly.
Notes
I don’t use the brown gravy mix if I have lots of leftover gravy. If you prefer to make your gravy, here’s a good beef gravy recipe you can put together from scratch.
Mushrooms are optional but add to the meaty taste and texture.
If you have it, smoked paprika is nice on top, or leave it off completely.
Potatoes can be cooked in an Instant Pot for 10 minutes under high pressure with quick release.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 313mg | Potassium: 818mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1879IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg
All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com
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