Description
Creepy Shepherd’s Pie With Ground Beef And Ghost Potatoes is a hearty, comforting dish with a spooky Halloween twist. Ground beef cooked with savory vegetables is topped with silky smooth mashed potatoes shaped like ghostly peaks, optionally decorated with olive “eyes.” This festive and family-friendly recipe is easy to customize and perfect for seasonal gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Beef Filling
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup peas
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth (gluten-free if needed)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)
Mashed Ghost Potatoes
- 2 lbs Yukon gold or russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (or more as needed)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Black olives, sliced for “eyes”
- Whole black peppercorns for “eyes”
- Shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese (for cheesy topping variation)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ground Beef Filling: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart and cook until browned. Stir in diced carrots and peas. Mix in tomato paste and beef broth to create a rich sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary if desired. Let simmer until slightly thickened.
- Make the Ghost Potatoes: While the filling simmers, peel and cube potatoes. Boil in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well. Mash the potatoes with butter and cream, whipping vigorously until fluffy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Pie: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the ground beef mixture evenly in a baking dish. Spoon or pipe mashed potatoes on top, forming gentle peaks to resemble ghostly shapes. Optionally, place sliced black olives or whole peppercorns as “eyes” on the peaks.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until mashed potatoes turn golden and filling bubbles around edges. Allow to cool slightly before serving so flavors settle.
Notes
- Use lean beef to avoid excess grease.
- Whip mashed potatoes until smooth but avoid overmixing to keep them airy.
- Add fresh herbs early in the cooking to infuse deep flavors.
- Prepare filling and potatoes ahead for convenience, assemble before baking.
- Look for bubbling edges in the oven to confirm it’s fully heated.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg