Elizabeth Johnson Cast iron cooking is having a comeback. Whether you are one of the 48 million campers in 2020 or you simply want a healthy cooking method—you should own a cast iron skillet. And this southwest shepherd pie recipe is a must-try.
People are often scared of using cast iron pans, but it isn’t difficult to care for. Plus, cooking on cast iron is actually pretty easy too.
One reason I like cast iron cooking is that the pan stays hot longer than a regular pan. This is so important with our big family because no matter how hard I try, someone is always slow to the dinner table.
But serving food directly from a cast iron skillet (on a trivet) on the table lets everyone wait to sit together and still have a hot meal.
Keep reading for this great southwest shepherd pie and some cast iron cooking tips.
Cast Iron Cooking Made Easy
Cast iron cooking is easy. If you don’t already have a cast iron skillet you will need to purchase one. The next step is to season your cast iron pan.
Seasoning a cast iron skillet isn’t hard it just takes time. The best oil to season cast iron, in my opinion, is shortening (like Crisco), but you can use many different kinds of oil. Lodge cast iron has a great article on cast iron cooking and seasoning that describes a variety of oils to use.
Cleaning cast iron is extremely easy too. Wash it by hand with a brush, soap, and warm water like you would normally (not in the dishwasher). The vital part is to make sure you dry it thoroughly with a towel or by heating it on the stove.
Lodge recommends that you rub a layer of oil on your cast iron pan after it is dry. Admittedly, I don’t do this every time.
If I feel like my seasoning is wearing out, it’s a great time for bacon cast iron cooking. Carefully, watch the bacon so it doesn’t burn or leave stuck on bits. Then wipe out the pan without washing and let it heat on the stove for a few minutes.
Southwest Shepherd Pie Recipe
In all honesty, it is debatable if you could call this a shepherd pie. The problem is in the meat. Traditionally, a shepherd pie is made with lamb, a cottage pie is made with beef, but we usually cook with ground turkey in our home.
So, with that said, a shepherd’s pie made with turkey is often called a turkey shepherd pie.
The images in this post show ground beef, but it is interchangeable with ground turkey.
Now let’s get into that southwest shepherd pie recipe.
Southwest Shepherd Pie Ingredients
2-2.5 ground meat
10 medium Yukon gold potatoes
1 large yellow onion
4-6 tsp of minced garlic
2 green peppers
4 oz. sour cream
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp chicken stock concentrate
2 tbsp flour
southwest spice (or taco seasoning)
olive oil (or cooking oil of your choice)
salt and pepper
1-2 jalapeno (optional)
Southwest Shepherd Pie Recipe
- Turn on your broiler. Wash and dry to produce: dice the potatoes into 1/2″ pieces, dice the green peppers, finely dice the onion. (optional: finely chop the jalapeno removing the seeds for less heat)
- Put the potatoes in a pot of water covered by a couple of inches. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and return the potatoes to the pot and cover to keep warm until you are ready to mash.
- While the potatoes are boiling, heat the cast iron skillet on medium. After about 10-15 minutes, add a drizzle of olive oil. Add the green pepper and cook until soft and slightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Add the onion, salt, and pepper to taste, and cook until soft and translucent for an additional 4-5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, southwest spice (2 tbsp or to taste), and optional jalapeno. Cook for about 30 seconds, then add the beef/turkey (salt and pepper to taste). Cook the meat until browned (about 4 minutes) and broken into pieces. Stir in the flour to evenly coat.
- Stir in the stock concentrate and 1 cup of water. Add the ketchup and simmer until thickened (about 2 minutes). Salt and pepper to taste if needed.
- In the pot mash the potatoes with sour cream and butter. Add a small splash of water or milk to soften your mixture as needed. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread the mashed potatoes on top of the meat mixture leaving about a 1″ gap from the edge.
- Place your cast iron skillet under to broiler for about 3-4 minutes until the potatoes get slightly golden at the peaks and warm through. Pro-tip: watch your pan so the food doesn’t burn. It may happen quickly.
Final Thoughts on Cast Iron Cooking Shepherd Pie
I love that cast iron cooking like this shepherd pie can go from the stove into the oven. Cast iron pans are so versatile.
And this southwest shepherd pie (well, any shepherd or cottage pie) is a family. My kids love the flavorful meat gravy and especially the mashed potatoes. It’s always a win as a parent when the kids say “yea” when they find out what’s for dinner.
If you are looking for more great meals, try these crockpot meals kids love and one of my favorite family meal nights, an easy fondue party.
