Potato casserole with meat
6 servings
90 minutes
Potato casserole with meat is a cozy, homemade dish that embodies the traditions of European cuisine. It resembles the classic British 'Shepherd’s pie' but has a richer flavor thanks to tomato paste, wine, and Worcestershire sauce. Tender meat infused with the aromas of vegetables and spices is hidden under airy mashed potatoes baked to a golden crust, creating a harmony of textures. The casserole is perfect for family dinners when you want to warm up and enjoy a rich, hearty taste. It can be served with a fresh vegetable salad or pickled cucumbers, adding new flavor nuances to the classic recipe.
1
Fry the diced meat in olive oil until golden brown. Place on a plate and set aside. In the same pan, add chopped celery, garlic, carrot, and onion.
- Lamb (young sheep meat): 700 g
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
- Celery: 2 stems
- Garlic: 2 cloves
- Carrot: 1 piece
- Onion: 1 head
2
Cook for about 5 minutes or until soft. Add tomato paste to the vegetables and continue cooking for a couple more minutes, pour in the wine, and simmer while stirring for another 8 minutes. Add the meat to the pan, pour in the broth, Worcestershire sauce, and crushed tomatoes. Season with bay leaf and cook while stirring for approximately 6 minutes. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, and transfer to a deep baking dish.
- Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons
- Wine: 0.5 glass
- Broth (stock): 0.5 glass
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tablespoon
- Tomatoes in their own juice: 375 g
- Bay leaf: 2 pieces
- Salt: to taste
- Allspice: to taste
3
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
4
Meanwhile, peel and boil the potatoes. While the potatoes are boiling, gently heat the cream and butter. Drain the cooked potatoes and make a fluffy puree by adding the cream and butter mixture. Season with salt. Spread the potato puree on top of the meat in a baking dish and carefully smooth it out (if desired, you can create a pattern with a fork or pipe the potato using a pastry bag).
- Potato: 1 kg
- Cream: 0.5 glass
- Butter: 120 g
- Salt: to taste
5
Bake until the potatoes turn golden brown, about 45 minutes.