Journey to the heart of Italian cuisine with our mouthwatering Italian Shepherd's Pie. This hearty and comforting dish combines layers of flavorful ground beef, a medley of vegetables, a creamy béchamel sauce, and a crispy layer of Parmesan cheese. Indulge in the rich and savory flavors as you embark on a culinary adventure to the beautiful countryside of Italy.
Inside this article, you'll find a collection of delectable recipes that showcase the versatility and regional variations of this classic dish. From the traditional Italian Shepherd's Pie, known as "Pasticcio di Maccheroni," to the unique "Pastitsio" with its Greek twist, each recipe offers a tantalizing blend of flavors and textures. Explore the secrets of crafting the perfect béchamel sauce, creating a flavorful meat filling, and achieving that golden-brown crust that elevates this dish to culinary perfection.
Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook seeking culinary inspiration, our Italian Shepherd's Pie article will guide you through the process of creating this delectable dish. Discover the art of layering, the importance of selecting quality ingredients, and the techniques for achieving that perfect balance of flavors. With step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and insightful cooking advice, you'll be able to recreate this iconic dish in the comfort of your own kitchen.
So gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the rustic charm and vibrant flavors of Italy. Unleash your inner chef and create a memorable dining experience with our comprehensive guide to the Italian Shepherd's Pie and its delightful variations.
ITALIAN SHEPHERD'S PIE
The mashed potatoes and cheese topper makes this beef, sausage, and veggie pie stick-to-the-ribs delicious. Serve it with fresh fruit for dessert, and your meal is complete.
Provided by EatingWell Test Kitchen
Categories Healthy Italian Sausage Recipes
Time 5h
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Stir 1/2 cup of the cheese into the potatoes; set mixture aside.
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef, sausage, and onion until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat. Stir zucchini or yellow summer squash, undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, and pepper into meat mixture in skillet. Bring to boiling.
- Divide meat mixture evenly among six 10-ounce individual casserole dishes. Spoon mashed potato mixture into mounds on top of hot meat mixture in casseroles. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. If desired, sprinkle with paprika. Cover with plastic wrap; chill for at least 4 hours or up to 48 hours.
- To serve, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove plastic wrap; place casseroles in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Cover with foil. Bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil. Bake, uncovered, for 5 minutes more. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 246.5 calories, Carbohydrate 19 g, Cholesterol 41.4 mg, Fat 11.4 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 16.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 584.8 mg, Sugar 5.1 g
ITALIAN SHEPHERD'S PIE
For a stick-to-your-ribs main dish that's deliciously different, give this pie a try! The Italian sausage goes so well with mashed potatoes, and both get a new twist served in a crust and cut into wedges. My family is always glad to see me preparing this dish. -Cindy Gage, Blair, Nebraska
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h10m
Yield 6-8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 353 calories, Fat 23g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 81mg cholesterol, Sodium 743mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 15g protein.
ITALIAN-STYLE SHEPHERD'S PIE
Garlic mashed potatoes add Italian flair to a homespun steak and veggie casserole.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 490, Carbohydrate 46 g, Cholesterol 100 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 5 g, Protein 38 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, ServingSize 1 Serving (1 1/2 cups), Sodium 1350 mg, Sugar 14 g, TransFat 1/2 g
ITALIAN SHEPHERD'S PIES
Made in individual baking cups, these hearty little pies have biscuit-like tops and a saucy filling. You can also prepare the mixture in a 1-1/2-quart casserole dish.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the marinara sauce, salt and pepper; cook and stir for 8-10 minutes or until thickened. Spoon into four 8-oz. ramekins or custard cups; set aside., In a small bowl, combine the flour, cheese, baking powder, salt and Italian seasoning. Stir in milk and butter just until moistened. Spoon dough over meat mixture; place ramekins on a baking sheet., Bake at 450° for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked pies. To use, remove from freezer 30 minutes before baking (do not thaw). Preheat oven to 400°. Place pies on a baking sheet; cover edges loosely with foil. Bake as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 542 calories, Fat 27g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 107mg cholesterol, Sodium 976mg sodium, Carbohydrate 44g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 29g protein.
ITALIAN SHEPHERD'S PIE
While not traditional, I really like this version of Shepherd's Pie. Ketchup or HP sauce are excellent condiments for this recipe. You can substitute pretty much any veggie you like for the green pepper - peas and corn are my personal favorites - 1 cup would probably be enough.
Provided by Minxkat1
Categories Vegetable
Time 2h
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Brown ground beef in large frying pan, drain grease.
- Add 1 Tbsp oil to pan, return beef to pan, add onion, garlic, Italian seasoning and dried red pepper flakes.
- Fry until onion is softened.
- Stir in drained tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp each salt and sugar and 1/2 tsp pepper.
- Break up tomatoes with a fork.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring often for about 15 minutes, or until most of liquid has evaporated.
- Meanwhile cook potatoes in boiling water until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Drain potatoes.
- Add butter, milk, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
- Beat potatoes on medium speed of electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Then beat in egg.
- Fold in 1/4 cup Parmesan.
- Meanwhile seed, core green pepper and cut into 1/4 inch pieces.
- Stir into cooked meat mixture.
- Turn into a 9" square baking dish.
- Spread potato mixture evenly on top of meat mixture.
- Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.
- Bake right away, or cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.
- Bake in the center of preheated 350 F oven for 40 to 50 minutes or until potatoes are golden tipped.
- If casserole has been refrigerated it may require an extra 15 minutes baking time.
- Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 566.5, Fat 24.9, SaturatedFat 10, Cholesterol 125.2, Sodium 633.7, Carbohydrate 55.1, Fiber 8, Sugar 8.3, Protein 31.7
ITALIAN SHEPHERD'S PIE
This Shepherd's Pie has a little Italian influence with Italian sausage, tomatoes and parmesan cheese. It's one of our favorite dishes and there are never any leftovers.
Provided by AuntMare
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h15m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Place ground beef and sausage in a medium skillet.
- Cook until beef looses its pink color.
- Add tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic and vinegar. Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in peas, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Meanwhile, boil potatoes in water to cover until tender, about 20 minutes.
- Drain and transfer to large mixing bowl.
- Beat in milk, cheese, butter and salt. Continue beating until smooth.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spoon meat mixture into 2 quart shallow casserole.
- Spoon potato mixture on top and spread evenly to edge.
- Bake until golden and bubbling, about 30 minutes.
- Let stand 10 minute before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 580.1, Fat 33.3, SaturatedFat 16.2, Cholesterol 112.8, Sodium 1706.5, Carbohydrate 38.7, Fiber 5.7, Sugar 6, Protein 32.2
ITALIAN SHEPHERD'S PIE 2
This is an adaptation of a Family Circle recipe. The original recipe called for hot Italian sausage, which I can't seem to find here in the UK, so I made a medley of ground meat and spices that my kids are probably happier with, as it's not too hot! The polenta crust was a real hit with my daughter, and even my husband, who doesn't normally like polenta.
Provided by Ppaperdoll
Categories Savory Pies
Time 1h
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- For meat filling, heat a large frying pan to medium-high heat. Add beef and pork and cook 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat off and return to pan. Add fennel seed, peppers, onion and garlic. Reduce heat to medium and cook 5 minutes more. Add 1/2 tsp salt, black pepper, and tomatoes.
- Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 Tbsp polenta.
- For Polenta, bring 4 cups of water and 1 1/2 tsp salt to a boil in medium saucepan. Add polenta in a thin stream, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium and cook, still stirring, 3 minutes until polenta is medium-soft. Remove from heat and stir in 1/3 cup grated Parmesan.
- Heat oven to 350°F Grease a 2 quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Add meat filling to bottom of dish. Top with polenta and sprinkle remaining Parmesan over the top.
- At this stage the pie can be frozen (but bring to room temp first). Wrap well and put in freezer. When ready to cook, thaw in fridge overnight, then bake in preheated 350°F oven 25 minutes, and put under broiler 1 to 2 minutes to give a nice crisp crust.
- If serving that evening, bake in preheated oven 25 minutes, and broil under preheated broiler 1 to 2 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 252.9, Fat 16.4, SaturatedFat 6.7, Cholesterol 60.3, Sodium 858.3, Carbohydrate 8.1, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 4.5, Protein 18
ITALIAN SHEPHERD'S PIE (ITALIAN PATE CHINOIS)
Pate chinois is a French-Canadian specialty and this has a different twist - it uses ground veal and hot italian sausages. It is sooooo good! Got this recipe in a French magazine - will try to translate as best as I can!
Provided by Redsie
Categories Veal
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven 375°F.
- Cook the potatoes in salted water until they are cooked. Drain them. Mash them with the oil or butter and season them with salt and pepper (or use your favorite mashed potatoes recipe!). Put aside.
- Take the sausages out of their casing and mix with the ground veal.
- Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan. Add the peppers and the onions and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add salt and pepper and oregano. Put in a bowl.
- Put back the frying pan on the stove and cook the veal and sausage meat until cooked. Drain the fat out of the pan.
- Put the meat at the bottom of a rectangular pan sprayed with Pam. Put the bell peppers and onion on top of the meat and, lastly, the mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with the Italian breadcrumbs.
- Put in oven for 40 minutes.
ITALIAN SHEPHERD'S PIE
Make and share this Italian Shepherd's Pie recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Maine-iac
Categories Pork
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a large skillet, cook onion and garlic until soft.
- Add sausage and cook until browned, then drain.
- Stir in tomatoes, eggs, oregano, caraway seeds, and 1 cup cheese.
- Mix well, and spoon mixture into unbaked pie shell.
- Mix potatoes with ½ cup cheese.
- Spoon or pipe potato mixture around outer edges of pie.
- Sprinkle with paprika, and place pie on baking sheet.
- Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until set.
- Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
- Can be prepared ahead of time, bake when ready.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 917.9, Fat 57.2, SaturatedFat 22.9, Cholesterol 311.8, Sodium 1197.2, Carbohydrate 49.1, Fiber 5.2, Sugar 7.4, Protein 50.8
Tips:
- Choose the right type of ground beef: For the best flavor, use a ground beef with a higher fat content, such as 80/20.
- Don't overcook the ground beef: Cook the ground beef until it is just browned, about 5-7 minutes. Overcooking will make it tough and dry.
- Use a variety of vegetables: The more vegetables you use, the more flavorful the pie will be. Some good options include carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms, and peas.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices: Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder are all good choices. You can also add a touch of heat with some red pepper flakes.
- Use a good quality cheese: The cheese is what will hold the pie together, so make sure you use a cheese that melts well and has a good flavor. Some good options include mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
- Don't overfill the baking dish: The pie will puff up as it bakes, so don't fill the baking dish more than two-thirds full.
Conclusion:
Italian shepherd's pie is a delicious and hearty meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With a few simple tips, you can make a shepherd's pie that is sure to please everyone at the table.
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