Schwan’s Shepherd’s Pie

Schwans Takes On The Roller Grill

HOUSTON Watch for the roller grill to get a boost in the near future if Schwan’s Co. has anything to do with it.

The foodservice manufacturer, known for Red Baron pizza and Minh egg rolls, among other brands, chose the roller grill as the primary focus for its latest Chef Collective event. Schwan’s Chef Collective is an ideation process it initiated four years ago. The Marshall, Minn.-based company invites noted chefs to research a market segment brimming with opportunity, brainstorm ideas and sample test concepts to land on a handful of new products to launch after menu proofing and market testing.

“You come up with the flavors, and we’ll make it work within our process,” said Cecelia Tham, senior product development manager for Schwan’s, during a tour of one of the companys manufacturing plants in Pasadena, Texas.

The special guests for this round of Chef Collective were anxious to get started on the challenge.

“I was pumped,” said Stephanie Cmar, a personal chef from Boston and a former “cheftestant” on Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” reality competition show.

“In the past we’ve looked at foodservice in K-12 schools and in healthcare. And as a personal chef, most of my clients request an entirely healthy menu. They want all the fat sucked out of their meal,” she told CSP Daily News. “This time it’s, ‘Don’t worry about that. What would taste good?’ “

From there, the brainstorming began, with three angles in mind:

How To Make Shepherds Pie

To make this recipe, preheat your oven to 375 F. Have a baking pan and a casserole dish at the ready.

The Argument: Is It Really Shepherds Pie

Shepherds Pie was originally called Cottage Pie. Some would argue that this recipe cant be called Shepherds Pie because it doesnt contain lamb. Americans have adapted the original meaning of the recipe title to suit a beef-eating culture.

Ill paraphrase from Wikipedia:

• Cottage pie, also known as shepherds pie, refers to an English meat pie. It has a crust made from mashed potato and filled with beef.
• The term cottage pie was common in 1791, when potato was being introduced as an edible crop affordable for the poor. The word cottage meant a modest dwelling for rural workers.
• In early cookery books, the dish was a means of using leftover roasted meat of any kind. The pie dish was lined with mashed potato as well as having a mashed potato crust on top.
• The term shepherds pie did not make an appearance until the 1870s. Since then it has been used synonymously with cottage pie, regardless of whether the main ingredient was beef or mutton.
• Its now commonplace for shepherds pie to be used when the meat is mutton or lamb. The suggested origin being that shepherds work with sheep and not cattle, however, this may be an example of folk etymology.

I hope you enjoy this Shepherds Pie recipe as much as my family and I do. Throw in any extra ingredients you enjoy to make this classic meal even more comforting!

Recommended Reading: Supreme Bean Pie Recipe

Other User Submitted Calorie Info Matching: Shepherd Pie

Poor Man”S Shepherd Pie35420g22g22g

• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 21.9 g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

• Sugars 5.0 g
• Protein 5.0 g

• Vitamin A 50.0 %

Shepherd’S Pie, Better Than Classic 42021g21g37g

• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 37.0 g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

Amy’S Shepherd’S Pie1604g27g5g

• Sugars 5.0 g
• Protein 5.0 g

• Vitamin A 50.0 %

*schwan’S Beef Shepherd’S Pie25012g22g1g

• Sugars 4.0 g
• Protein 1.0 g

• Vitamin A 15.0 %

Trader Joe’S Shepherd’S Pie 10g0g0g

• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 0.0 g

• Vitamin A 0.2 %

Sainsbury’S Shepherd’S Pie50021g49g30g

• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 29.7 g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

Lick’S Nature Shepherd’S Pie, Frozen Entree, 1 Bowl = 300g Serving30911g45g9g

• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 8.7 g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

M& m Meats Shepherd’S Pie2429g25g15g

• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 15.0 g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

• Calories: 265, Fat: 15g, Carbs: 18g, Protein: 16g, Fiber: 3g

What Is The Difference Between Cottage Pie And Shepherds Pie

Any self respecting Brit knows that Cottage pie is made with ground beef, and Shepherds Pie is made with ground lamb or mutton.

After all, Shepherds look after sheep so it makes sense that Shepherds Pie is made with lamb!

There can be some regional variations in terms of the vegetables added, though they are usually very simple and include carrots, onions, and/or garden peas, and then the pie is topped with potatoes.

Back in the day Cottage Pie would sometimes be made with slices of potatoes on top, and Shepherds Pie would traditionally have mashed potatoes.

But they are pretty much interchangeable these days and I think most people just add mashed potatoes to both.

Don’t Miss: The Original Key Lime Pie Company

Our Schwans Food Reviews

Our Recommendations

• Beef Merlot– It reheats on the stovetop, and there will be leftovers, but it was very good for the price we paid. This is our second time ordering this meal, and we have enjoyed it both times. You will just need to add some green vegetables to make a balanced meal. We have it a thumbs up because of the effort to reheat. It comes two servings for $11.99, and this was one meal where the serving size was actually right on.

• Shrimp and Broccoli Alfredo– Another Stovetop meal that scored high marks with our bloggers, as well as our loved ones. $12.99 for three valid servings.

• Four Cheese Penne with Prosciutto– We did not find much Prosciutto in this meal, but the four cheese pasta was especially good. It comes in a paper tray that reheats in the microwave. Three servings for $10.99, but our image above is showing half the tray. A side vegetable will needed to make this a balanced meal.

• Chicken Enchiladas– These are absolutely delicious. They come six to a paper tray, and one enchilada is considered a serving. Our 79-year-old Mom ate three with no problem. They are a little spicy, and they covered with seasoned rice and melted cheese. $12.99 per tray.

• Chicken Alfredo– Another Stovetop prepared meal that might have just enough vegetables to qualify as a balanced meal. $12.99 serves three.

Food Items We Would Not Recommend

• Spaghetti and Meat Sauce– $4.99 – You can do better with your own spaghetti and a jarred sauce.

• Sweet and Sour Chicken– $4.49 – Same here.

Quick Tips For Making Gluten Free Shepherds Pie

My first tip is to make sure that you saute the onions and carrots first, it brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables and just adds to the overall flavor of the dish.

Dont skip browning the lamb or beef either, it also helps dramatically with the flavor and to get that lovely Maillard reaction going on!

Ground lamb does tend to have quite a lot of fat so I skim some of it off after I brown it.

If you use ground beef then you may or may not need to skim some fat off after browning depending on the fat content of the meat.

I would urge you to use caution and NOT pour all the lovely juices down the sink as youre pouring away the flavor!

I like to thicken the meat sauce so I usually add a little cornstarch slurry mixture to the meat and sauce to thicken it up.

You can omit this step if you are Paleo or W30, or use Arrowroot or Tapioca Starch instead.

If you want to freeze this my tip is to make up the meat portion of the easy shepherds pie and freeze that part only, potatoes donât freeze very well and tend to go soft and spongy when defrosted.

If you want to reheat your easy Shepherds pie you can easily do that by reheating it in a warm oven, or simply use the microwave.

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Can I Cook A Frozen Shepherd’s Pie

cookshepherds piefrozencookshepherds piefrozen

It really all depends on how big the portion sizes are, you should be fine cooking things like cottage pie from frozen, in the Oven at 200ºC it should take about 30-40 minutes to reheat in the oven, but you’d be better checking after about 20 minutes to see how it’s doing, as for microwaving blast it for 7-8 minutes

Similarly, can you microwave shepherds pie? Microwave Shepherd’s Pie. Cooking Instructions : Add 2 tablespoons or water, cover and cook for 10 – 15 minutes on HIGH or until tender.

In respect to this, how do you reheat frozen shepherd’s pie in the oven?

Freezer Instructions: After baking, let pan cool to room temperature, then cover tightly with foil and place in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, reheat the shepherd’s pie for 1 hour in a 350ºF oven.

Can cooked mashed potatoes be frozen?

Scoop one-cup portions of the mashed potatoes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, then transfer to the freezer for at least a few hours up to overnight, until the mashed potatoes are completely frozen. Transfer the individual servings to a large freezer bag or container, and store in the freezer until Thanksgiving.

Kitchen Tools And Ingredients Youll Need For Shepherds Pie

Oval Ceramic Bakeware this set of pretty porcelain bakeware is very similar to the bakeware I used for my easy Shepherds Pie

8×8 pan If you dont want pans like the ones Ive used then an8×8 ceramic pan will work just as well instead.

Paleo Beef Broth Ive found it really hard to find Paleo Beef Broth locally, so when I need it I buy online or make it myself.

Arrowroot Powder If youre following the Paleo Diet then Arrowroot Powder is a great alternative to using cornstarch to thicken gravies and sauces.

Worcestershire Sauce I love this for adding to sauces, if you live in the USA then most brands of Worcestershire Sauce are gluten free but this is not always the case so do check the label!

Potato Masher you cant beat a decent potato masher! This one holds up well

Don’t Miss: Campbells Soup Chicken Pot Pie

Recipe Directions Save Recipe

• Preheat the oven to 425°F. Arrange Ore Ida Tater Tots on a baking sheet. Place the tater tots on the center rack of the oven & bake for 15-minutes. Remove tots from the oven.
• Adjust the oven temperature to 350°F.
• Peel, cut, & boil the potatoes. When done, strain off the water and return potatoes to the pot add butter, cheeses, salt, and black peppercorns to taste.
• Place a large skillet over med-high heat, brown the ground beef, add salt and pepper to taste. When the ground beef is done, strain grease and return it to the skillet. Add a can of cream of mushroom soup and mix well.
• Next, add the Birds Eye mixed vegetables, onions, and garlic to the ground beef and stir gently until the mixture is well-combined.
• Spray the bottom of a large casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spoon the beef mixture into the bottom of the dish, spread it around evenly. Add the potatoes and spread them evenly, then place the tater tots over the top of the cheesy mashed potatoes.
• Place the casserole pan onto the center rack of a preheated 350°F oven & cook for 35-minutes.
• Remove the Tater Tot Shepherds Pie from the oven, let it cool, then serve.
• Garnish w/ chives.

Where Does Shepherds Pie Come From

Shepherds Pie is a quintessentially British recipe thats commonplace back home.

I grew up eating it on a regular basis and it remains a firm favorite on many Gastro Pub menus for good reason!

Its really easy to prepare shepherds pie, the ingredients are relatively inexpensive and it requires no great culinary expertise in order to make it, its perfect comfort food!

Read Also: The Key Lime Pie Company

Other User Submitted Calorie Info Matching: Shepherds Pie

Richards Mayflower Shepherds Pie37516g30g28g

• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 28.0 g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

Schwans Beef Shepherds Pie25012g22g14g

• Sugars 4.0 g
• Protein 14.0 g

• Vitamin A 15.0 %

• Sugars 5.0 g
• Protein 5.0 g

• Vitamin A 50.0 %

• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 0.0 g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

Beef Shepherds Pie29413g24g19g

• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 19.5 g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

Shepherds Pie – W& s Life31018g0g0g

• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 0.0 g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

Beef Shepherds Pie63027g63g39g

• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 39.0 g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 0.0 g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

Weight Watchers Shepherds Pie2287g32g0g

• Sugars 0.0 g
• Protein 0.0 g

• Vitamin A 0.0 %

• Calories: 114, Fat: 4g, Carbs: 8g, Protein: 14g, Fiber: 2g