Dutch Oven Shepherd's Pie

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 45

Standing Time: 5

Total Time: 55

Servings:

Author: Kim Hanna

Camping For Foodies Dinner Camping Recipes: This casserole is a warm and hearty dinner that's easy to prepare.

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Ingredients

Filling Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion diced
2 large garlic cloves minced
2 celery stalks roughly chopped
1 (12 oz) package mixed vegetables with frozen peas, carrots, sweet corn and green beans removed from freezer to thaw before cooking
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Instant Mashed Potato Topping Ingredients

1 (4 oz) package instant potatoes, prepared according to package directions (see Note 1).
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

If using instant potatoes: Prepare instant potatoes according to package directions, then set aside.
If using fresh potatoes: Start preparing the mashed potatoes by placing the cubed potatoes in a large pot of water. Cover pot with lid and place over high heat to bring to boil. Cook until tender, then drain, mash and mix in butter, salt and pepper. Then set aside.
Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat for frying using bottom-only heat. Place hamburger in the oven to brown, use a spoon to break-up the meat into crumbles as it cooks.
Some grease is fine but if there is a large amount, just use a paper towel to soak up most of the liquid and discard.
When the meat is still slightly pink, stir the onion, garlic, celery and mixed vegetables into the pot. Continue cooking until the vegetables are softened and meat is browned.
Mix in the Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, stirring until combined. Cook the beef mixture over medium heat until most of the liquid has evaporated.
Spread the mashed potatoes over the hamburger mixture creating an even layer.
Place lid on Dutch oven and arrange coals for baking at 350 degrees F (25 total coals = 8 below the oven / 17 on the top of the lid.) Turn the lid and oven in opposite directions every 10 minutes to ensure even baking (see Note 3).
Bake 20 minutes, then, check the potatoes. They should be turning a nice light golden-brown color on top. If not, transfer all of the coals from under the bottom of the oven to the top of the lid to create a broiler, and, continue baking until they reach a golden-brown color (see Note 2).
Sprinkle the cheese over the potatoes, cover with lid and continue to broil until the cheese melts, about 5 more minutes.
Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Store leftovers in a tightly-sealed food storage container in the refrigerator or cooler.

Notes

If you prefer using fresh potatoes, you'll need about 4 large baking potatoes, peeled and cut into evenly-sized cubes, about 2-inch pieces, 1 tablespoon butter, salt & pepper, to taste.
If using a Dutch oven dome and propane stove, remove lid from Dutch oven and continue baking under the Dutch oven dome with the Dutch oven lid removed. It is difficult to get a deep golden-brown color using this method so you’re looking for a slightly browned color on the potatoes.
For different oven sizes, use the proper number of coals according to this Dutch Oven Temperature Chart. https://www.campingforfoodies.com/dutch-oven-temperature-chart/

Nutrition Information