Crockpot Wrangler Pie (my version of Shepherd pie)

Why oh why would I call it Wrangler pie?

Because how comforting is a good shepherds pie, but did you know that shepherd shepherd sheep. Therefore a shepherd pie should be made with ground sheep. Yeah, I don't know many places that sell sheep meat, maybe a specialty butcher in your area. Well many traditional recipes for shepherds pie call for ground lamb, however, that is still not readily available in you typical grocery store.

What is available for us in the grocery store? Ground beef! Therefore, people who take care of cows are called herders but they can also be term as a Wrangler. And Wrangler Pie, is less of a tongue twister then Herders pie. And sounds more fun, at least that is what my kids thought.

So, I modified my favorite Shepherd pie recipe and made it easy to make in your crock-pot. I am on a crock-pot bender right now. I have even started to take one day out every two weeks to make like 10 freezer crock-pot meals. But I'll leave how I shop for those meals and how to prep for those meal for my next blog post. Additionally, since I am currently partially employed I will sit down once weekly to blog. (as a New Years resolution 2015)

Crock-pot Wrangler Pie

Ingredients

• 2 pounds browned ground beef
• 1 cans drained diced tomatoes
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (I used Pea's, Carrots, and green beans mix)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed then minced
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce (I used a marinara sauce)
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon, garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon, salt
• 1 teaspoon, pepper (I used white pepper, but any type of pepper will do, maybe a chili pepper for a bigger kick)
• 3 large potatoes(I actually used instant mashed potatoes, made according to direction and added garlic)

Equipment

• crock pot 
• crock pot liner/ or cooking spray
• pan for browning
• pot for boiling
• potato masher 

Directions

1. Brown the 2 lbs of ground beef. Drain all fat.
2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients except the potatoes. Mix well.
3. Either use a crock-pot liner, or butter or spray cooking spray to the inside surface of your crock-pot. (if prepping for a freezer meal, this is where you would pack it and freeze it)
4. Add mixture to crock-pot.
5. Set crock-pot to low for 6-8 hours (or if you are in a time crunch do 3-5 hours on high, but the results are not as well blended)
6. 30 minutes before dinner make your mash potatoes (Either traditionally, or from a box)
7. Best way to serve is to scoop out your meat on the plate and top with mash potatoes.
8. Enjoy

Makes 6-8 servings. Sorry I do not have the nutritional values for this recipe.

I had left overs and the next day I used the mixture to make wrangler burritos. Meat mixture, re fried beans, and cheese all wrapped up in a flour tortilla. These were a hit too.