Shepherds Pie Quesadillas (Printer-friendly)

Crispy tortillas filled with savory meat, veggies, and creamy mashed potatoes for a flavorful, satisfying dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Filling

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
05 - 1/2 cup frozen peas
06 - 1 pound ground beef or lamb
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1/2 cup beef broth
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
12 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For the Mashed Potatoes

13 - 1 pound potatoes, peeled and cubed
14 - 2 tablespoons butter
15 - 1/4 cup whole milk
16 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For Assembly

17 - 8 large flour tortillas
18 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
19 - 2 tablespoons butter or oil for frying

# Directions:

01 - Place potatoes in a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender, approximately 15 minutes. Drain thoroughly, then mash with butter and milk. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent, approximately 2 minutes. Add carrot and cook for 3 minutes. Add ground meat, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until mixture thickens. Add peas and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
04 - Lay out 4 tortillas. Spread approximately 1/4 cup mashed potatoes on each. Top with a generous portion of meat filling, then sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Cover with remaining tortillas.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a small amount of butter or oil. Carefully place a quesadilla in the pan and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Repeat with remaining quesadillas.
06 - Cut quesadillas into wedges and serve hot with accompaniments of choice.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Combines two comfort food favorites into one innovative dish
  • Ready in just 50 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners
  • Crispy, golden exterior with rich, savory filling inside
  • Great way to use leftover mashed potatoes
  • Easily customizable with different proteins or vegetarian options
02 -
  • Don't overfill the tortillas—too much filling makes them difficult to flip and can cause spillage
  • Use a wide spatula and support the quesadilla with your other hand when flipping
  • Make the filling and mashed potatoes ahead of time for quicker assembly
  • Keep finished quesadillas warm in a low oven while cooking the rest
  • A cast iron skillet provides the most even heat and best crisping results
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