Welcome back to my blog! Today, I am excited to share a comforting and hearty dish: Rabbit Shepherd’s Pie. This recipe puts a delightful twist on the traditional shepherd’s pie by using lean and flavorful rabbit meat. Perfect for family dinners or a cozy night in, this dish is sure to become a favorite. Let’s dive into this delicious recipe!
Why Rabbit Shepherd’s Pie?
Rabbit meat is a wonderful alternative to traditional meats, offering a unique flavor profile and being rich in protein and low in fat. Additionally, rabbit is a sustainable choice, making it a great option for those looking to diversify their meals. Our Rabbit Shepherd’s Pie combines tender rabbit with hearty vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes for a truly satisfying dish.
Ingredients
For the Rabbit Filling:
2 tablespoons cooking fat (butter, tallow)
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 lb. ground rabbit meat
2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves
1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves -minced
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup beef broth
1 cup frozen mixed peas & carrots
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
3 lb. russet potatoes – peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
8 tablespoons unsalted butter -1 stick
1/3 cup half & half (eyeball it)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
make the filling:
Add the butter to a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
Add the ground rabbit to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Add the rosemary, thyme and parsley, salt and pepper. Stir often. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the meat is cooked through .
Add the Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Stir to combine and cook for 1 minute.
Add the flour and tomato paste. Stir until well incorporated and no clumps of tomato paste are present.
Add the broth, frozen peas and carrots. Bring the liquid to a boil then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Set the meat mixture aside. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Prepare the Mashed Potatoes:
Place the diced, peeled potatoes in a large pot. Cover the potatoes with water. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
Drain the potatoes in a colander. Return the potatoes to the hot pot. Let the potatoes rest in the hot pot for 1 minute to evaporate any remaining liquid.
Add butter, half & half, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes and stir until all the ingredients are mixed together.
Add the parmesan cheese to the potatoes. Stir until well combined.
Assemble the Shepherd’s Pie:
Pour the meat mixture into a 9×9 (or 7×11) inch baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the meat. Carefully spread into an even layer.
Bake
Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling, about 25-30 minutes.
Let the Shepherd’s Pie cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts:
Serving: 1/6th of recipe
Calories: 400kcal
Carbohydrates: 13g
Protein: 19g | Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Cholesterol: 97mg
Sodium: 751mg
Potassium: 483mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 2g
Vitamin A: 2860IU
Vitamin C: 7.9mg
Calcium: 99mg
Iron: 2.7mg
Time Estimates:
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Serving Size:
This recipe serves approximately 6 people.
Tips for the Perfect Rabbit Shepherd’s Pie
Substitutions: If rabbit is not available, you can substitute with ground chicken, turkey or ground beef or lamb.
Cheesy Topping: For an extra cheesy topping, mix in a blend of cheeses such as cheddar, Parmesan, and mozzarella.
Rabbit Shepherd’s Pie is a comforting and hearty dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With its rich flavors and satisfying texture, it’s sure to become a family favorite. Give this recipe a try, and don’t forget to share your creations with us!
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Rabbit Shepherds Pie
Ashley Nicole
The Classic Shepherds Pie with a twist. Ground rabbit with vegetables in a savory gravy, topped with mashed potatoes and baked.
3lb.russet potatoes – peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
1/2teaspoongarlic powder
1/2teaspoonsalt
1/3cuphalf & halfeyeball it
1/4teaspoonground black pepper
8tablespoonsunsalted butter -1 stick
1/4cupParmesan cheese
Instructions
Make the Meat Filling:
Add the oil to a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
Add the ground rabbit to the skillet and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Add the rosemary, thyme and parsley, salt and pepper. Stir often. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the meat is cooked through .
Add the Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Stir to combine and cook for 1 minute.
Add the flour and tomato paste. Stir until well incorporated and no clumps of tomato paste are present.
Add the broth, frozen peas and carrots. Bring the liquid to a boil then reduce to simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Set the meat mixture aside. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Make the Mashed Potato Topping:
Place the diced, peeled potatoes in a large pot. Cover the potatoes with water. Bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
Drain the potatoes in a colander. Return the potatoes to the hot pot. Let the potatoes rest in the hot pot for 1 minute to evaporate any remaining liquid.
Add butter, half & half, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes and stir until all the ingredients are mixed together.
Add the parmesan cheese to the potatoes. Stir until well combined.
Assemble the Rabbit Shepherds Pie:
Pour the meat mixture into a 9×9 (or 7×11) inch baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the meat. Carefully spread into an even layer.
If the baking dish looks very full, place it on a rimmed baking sheet so that the filling doesn’t bubble over into your oven. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
If you can’t find frozen mixed peas and carrots, you could use ½ cup frozen peas and ½ cup frozen sliced carrots.
Keyword classic shepherds pie, cooking with rabbit meat, ground rabbit meat, How to make shepherds pie, rabbit recipies
