Description
Bring the cozy, hearty flavors of shepherd’s pie to the humble baked potato! Crispy potato skins hold a savory beef-and-vegetable filling, topped with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes and broiled to golden perfection. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend treat.
Ingredients
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4 large baking potatoes (Russets recommended)
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1 lb ground beef (80/20 for flavor; turkey or lamb works too)
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1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or celery/onion)
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1 can (15 oz) corn, drained (or peas/mixed veggies)
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¼ cup heavy cream (or whole milk/half-and-half)
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2 tbsp butter
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1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar recommended)
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Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic-parmesan, Cajun-style, or all-purpose seasoning
Instructions
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Bake the Potatoes
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Scrub, dry, and poke potatoes with a fork. Rub lightly with oil and salt if desired.
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Bake directly on oven rack for 45–60 min until tender. Tip: Microwave for 5–8 min first, then oven-bake 20 min for faster results.
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Prepare the Filling
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Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat.
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Reduce heat, stir in corn and cream of mushroom soup.
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Season to taste and simmer 5–10 min. Adjust flavors with salt, pepper, or Worcestershire sauce.
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Make the Cheesy Potato Topping
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Slice the top third off each potato; scoop out flesh into a bowl, leaving a ¼-inch shell.
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Mash potato with butter, cream, and ½ cup shredded cheese. Season well.
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Assemble the Potatoes
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Spoon beef-and-corn filling into potato shells.
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Top with cheesy mashed potatoes.
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Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top.
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Broil to Finish
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Switch oven to BROIL. Broil 3–5 min until cheese is bubbly and golden. Watch closely to avoid burning.
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Serve & Garnish
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Let cool 1–2 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives. Serve immediately.
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Notes
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Tex-Mex Twist: Swap beef for turkey, soup for diced tomatoes with green chiles, add taco seasoning, top with pepper jack cheese and sour cream.
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Breakfast for Dinner: Fill with scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, and diced peppers.
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Vegetarian: Replace beef with lentils and add mushrooms/carrots.
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Sweet Potato Version: Use large sweet potatoes with spiced chicken and black bean filling.