Marie Callender’s shepherd’s pie is a classic comfort food that has been a staple on the restaurant’s menu for decades. But what exactly goes into this hearty dish? Here we’ll take a look at the ingredients that make up Marie Callender’s famous shepherd’s pie.
Meat
The star of shepherd’s pie is the meat. Marie Callender’s uses a blend of ground beef and ground lamb for their shepherd’s pie filling. Ground lamb provides the distinctive flavor we associate with traditional shepherd’s pie, while the ground beef adds richness.
In total, the meat portion of Marie Callender’s shepherd’s pie is made up of:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground lamb
Combining two types of meat gives the filling a more complex, savory taste than using just one meat would achieve. It also allows the flavors of beef and lamb to complement each other.
Vegetables
In addition to the meat, Marie Callender’s shepherd’s pie contains a mix of vegetables sauteed in butter. These add texture and additional flavors. The veggies in Marie Callender’s shepherd’s pie filling include:
- Onions
- Celery
- Carrots
Onions add an aromatic base, while celery and carrots provide crunchy texture and natural sweetness. The vegetables are diced small so they cook quickly and mix evenly with the ground meat.
Sauce
The meat and vegetables are simmered together in a rich savory sauce. This sauce brings everything together and gives Marie Callender’s shepherd’s pie its characteristic gravy-like flavor.
The sauce is made up of:
- Beef broth
- Tomato paste
- Flour
- Red wine
- Herbs and seasonings
The broth provides moisture and savoriness. Tomato paste adds additional depth of flavor and aroma. Flour helps thicken the sauce to the perfect consistency. Red wine contributes a hint of acidity and fruitiness. And the herbs and seasonings like garlic, salt, pepper and thyme infuse everything with flavor.
Mashed Potatoes
What really makes shepherd’s pie iconic is the mashed potato topping. Marie Callender’s uses creamy real mashed potatoes to crown their shepherd’s pie.
Their mashed potatoes are made with:
- Russet potatoes
- Butter
- Milk or cream
- Salt
- Pepper
The potatoes are peeled, boiled and mashed with butter, milk and seasonings to create a perfectly smooth, creamy topping. This batter-like potato topping bakes to a beautiful golden brown crust on top of the pie.
Assembling the Pie
To assemble Marie Callender’s signature shepherd’s pie, the meat filling is spooned into a baking dish. The mashed potatoes are spread evenly over the top. Then the whole dish is baked until heated through and the potatoes are crispy on top.
Baking allows all the ingredients – the meat, vegetables and mashed potatoes – to mingle into baked goodness. It also gives the shepherd’s pie its scrumptious browned potato crust.
Full Ingredient List
Here is the complete ingredient list for Marie Callender’s shepherd’s pie, as provided on their website:
Meat Filling
- Ground beef
- Ground lamb
- Onions
- Celery
- Carrots
- Beef broth
- Tomato paste
- Flour
- Red wine
- Garlic
- Thyme
- Salt
- Pepper
Mashed Potatoes
- Potatoes
- Butter
- Milk
- Salt
- Pepper
Nutrition Information
Marie Callender’s shepherd’s pie is a hearty, calorie-dense dish. Here is the nutrition information for one serving, according to the Marie Callender’s website:
| Calories | 530 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 24g |
| Sodium | 1310mg |
| Carbs | 50g |
| Protein | 29g |
As you can see, one serving packs over 500 calories and nearly a day’s worth of saturated fat and sodium. But that’s not too surprising given the hearty ingredients like beef, lamb, butter and cream.
Cooking Method
Marie Callender’s uses a simple yet effective cooking method to create their shepherd’s pie.
Here are the basic steps:
- Saute the onions, celery and carrots in butter until softened.
- Add the ground beef and lamb. Cook until browned.
- Stir in the broth, tomato paste, flour, red wine and seasonings. Simmer to thicken.
- Spoon the meat mixture into a baking dish.
- Top with a layer of smooth mashed potatoes.
- Bake at 350°F for 18-25 minutes until heated through.
- Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
This hands-off oven cooking method allows the shepherd’s pie to bake to perfection, resulting in a hot, bubbly dish with irresistible browned mashed potatoes on top. It’s a simple cooking method but key to achieving the quintessential shepherd’s pie flavors and textures.
Variations
Marie Callender’s basic shepherd’s pie recipe can be modified in many ways to suit different tastes and dietary needs. Some easy variations include:
- Substitute turkey or chicken for the red meat.
- Use vegetarian protein like lentils instead of ground beef/lamb.
- Add different veggies like peas, corn or green beans.
- Use cauliflower instead of potatoes for the topping.
- Season with different herbs and spices like rosemary, cumin or curry.
- Mix cheese into the mashed potato topping.
- Top with cheese and broil for the last few minutes.
The possibilities are endless! The basic formula of meat filling + mashed potato topping can accommodate all kinds of ingredient swaps and flavor additions.
Storage
Like many hearty casseroles and pot pies, Marie Callender’s shepherd’s pie tastes great freshly baked but also reheats well. Here are some tips for storing leftover shepherd’s pie:
- Allow the pie to cool completely before refrigerating.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven until hot.
- Add a splash of milk when reheating to restore creaminess.
- The dish can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
With proper storage, leftovers of this comfort food classic can be enjoyed again and again.
Tips for Making it at Home
Marie Callender’s shepherd’s pie is simple to recreate at home. Here are some tips:
- Use high quality ground lamb for authentic flavor.
- Choose waxy, starchy potatoes like Russets for mashing.
- Allow the filling to cool slightly before topping with potatoes.
- Spread potatoes smoothly and seal the edges to prevent drying.
- Bake until the potatoes are browned and crusty on top.
- Let the pie rest before serving so the filling sets.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme for color.
With quality ingredients and attention to detail, you can create a shepherd’s pie worthy of Marie Callender’s at home.
History of Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie originated in England in the 18th century. The dish used leftover lamb and humble ingredients to create a hearty meal for shepherds. The pie developed into a beloved staple of English cuisine over the centuries.
While the exact origins are uncertain, mentions of shepherd’s pie date back to the late 1700s. Early recipes used mutton or lamb shoulder, but beef soon became a popular alternative. The dish gained popularity throughout the UK and Ireland, cementing its status as a national favorite.
Traditional shepherd’s pie has a meat filling made of ground or diced lamb with onions, carrots and turnips. The meat is topped with mashed potato and baked. Regional variations use different meats, vegetables and toppings – for example, cottage pie uses ground beef instead of lamb.
Shepherd’s pie made its way from the UK to North America and Australia during the era of British colonialism in the 19th century. Immigrants brought the comforting dish with them to their new homes. The dish gained further global popularity when production of refrigerators allowed leftover lamb to be kept longer.
Today, shepherd’s pie remains a staple menu item at restaurants like Marie Callender’s. Home cooks also prepare the dish frequently, especially since the rise of ready-to-use mashed potatoes – making this classic comfort food even more convenient to enjoy anytime.
Nutritional Benefits
While shepherd’s pie is quite high in calories, fat, and sodium, it does provide some nutritional value when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Protein
The ground meat provides a good amount of protein. Protein helps build muscle mass and provides long-lasting energy.
Iron
Red meat is high in iron, which aids in oxygen circulation and building red blood cells.
Vitamins and Minerals
The vegetables contribute vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate. The dish also provides minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Carbohydrates
The mashed potatoes give shepherd’s pie a high carb count, which can help replenish glycogen stores after exercise.
Probiotics
Using real mashed potatoes provides probiotics that support digestive and immune health.
So while shepherd’s pie should be enjoyed in moderation, the mix of protein, carbs, vitamins, and probiotics can make it a nutritious addition to your diet when consumed as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
Cost Analysis
Making your own shepherd’s pie at home can save quite a bit of money compared to ordering it at a restaurant. Here is a cost breakdown:
Marie Callender’s Shepherd’s Pie
- Serving size: 1 (430g) pie
- Cost per serving: $8.99
Homemade Shepherd’s Pie
- Serving size: 1/6th of 9×13 pan
- Ground beef (1 lb): $3
- Ground lamb (1 lb): $6
- Vegetables and seasonings: ~$2
- Potatoes (3 lbs): $3
- Butter/milk: ~$1
- Total cost: $15
- Cost per serving: ~$2.50
As you can see, making shepherd’s pie at home can save over $6 per serving compared to ordering it pre-made from a restaurant. The ingredients for homemade shepherd’s pie cost just a fraction of the restaurant price!
Plus, homemade allows you to control portions and ingredients. You can adjust the recipe based on your dietary needs and leftovers will last for several meals. So while Marie Callender’s version is tasty, homemade shepherd’s pie is generally cheaper, healthier, and more customizable for your personal preferences.
Popularity and Trends
Shepherd’s pie has maintained steady popularity over the years. Here are some trends in shepherd’s pie consumption and preparation:
- It remains a top 25 most popular pie according to Google search trends.
- Restaurants like Marie Callender’s still include it as a classic menu staple.
- Many households prepare it at least occasionally, especially in fall/winter.
- Vegan versions using plant-based meat and mashed potatoes have risen in popularity.
- Recipe searches for “easy shepherd’s pie” have grown, reflecting demand for convenience.
- Online recipes emphasize ways to make it faster or in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
- There are more creative spice blends and global fusion versions like Tex-Mex shepherd’s pie.
While traditional beef and lamb shepherd’s pie are still the most popular, consumers are finding new ways to enjoy this classic dish at home. Its convenience, comfort food appeal and flexibility help shepherd’s pie maintain its place as a beloved staple meal.
Conclusion
Marie Callender’s shepherd’s pie is the perfect blend of hearty, savory comfort food. This beef and lamb pie layered with vegetables, sauce, and creamy mashed potatoes has been a staple on their menu for decades. While the recipe is proprietary, we can determine it contains high-quality ground beef and lamb, onions, carrots, celery, broth, herbs and spices to create the filling. Real mashed russet potatoes made with butter and milk are piped on top. The entire pie is baked until hot and browned. Shepherd’s pie makes a satisfying meal any time of year, and Marie Callender’s has perfected the ideal shepherd’s pie recipe over their 60+ years in business. With a mix of quality ingredients, simple preparation techniques and generations of recipe refinement, Marie Callender’s shepherd’s pie has become a beloved classic.