Shepherd’s Pie Soup – Cozy Comfort in a Bowl!

### Instructions

#### 1. **Make the Mashed Potatoes:**
Start by boiling the potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Cook until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 10-15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or fork until smooth. Stir in the butter, milk (or cream), and season with salt and pepper. Set aside. These mashed potatoes will be swirled into the soup later, adding creaminess and richness.

#### 2. **Cook the Meat and Vegetables:**
In a large soup pot, heat a little oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat (beef or lamb) and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Once the meat is browned, remove any excess fat and set the meat aside.

In the same pot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

#### 3. **Build the Soup Base:**
Stir in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, cooking for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavors. Then, add the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

#### 4. **Add the Peas and Meat:**
Stir in the frozen peas and return the cooked meat to the pot. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper. Let the soup simmer for another 5-10 minutes to heat everything through.

#### 5. **Incorporate the Mashed Potatoes:**
Once the soup is ready, stir in spoonfuls of the mashed potatoes, mixing until the soup becomes creamy and thickened. You can add more or less mashed potatoes depending on how thick or creamy you like your soup. For a more traditional Shepherd’s Pie texture, aim for a thick soup with hearty chunks of mashed potatoes.

#### 6. **Serve and Garnish:**
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of shredded cheese if desired. The cheese adds a lovely creamy finish, and the parsley gives the soup a pop of color.

### Why Shepherd’s Pie Soup is Perfect for Any Occasion

1. **A Complete Meal in One Bowl:** This soup has everything you need in one dish: protein from the meat, fiber and vitamins from the vegetables, and richness from the mashed potatoes. It’s a filling and satisfying meal that doesn’t require any extra sides.

2. **Kid-Friendly:** Kids (and adults!) will love the creamy, familiar flavors of Shepherd’s Pie in this soup form. The vegetables and mashed potatoes are easily incorporated, and the meat and broth create a hearty base that everyone will enjoy.

3. **Perfect for Leftovers:** If you have leftover mashed potatoes from another meal, this is the perfect way to use them up. You can also customize the soup with any leftover vegetables or meat you have on hand.

4. **Great for Meal Prep:** Shepherd’s Pie Soup is ideal for batch cooking or meal prepping. It stores well in the fridge for a few days and can even be frozen for later. Simply reheat and enjoy the comforting flavors whenever you need a quick and easy meal.

### Tips for the Perfect Shepherd’s Pie Soup:

– **Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes:** If you’ve made mashed potatoes the day before, use them in this recipe to save time. Leftover mashed potatoes will help thicken the soup even more, making it richer and more comforting.
– **Swap the Meat:** Traditionally, Shepherd’s Pie is made with lamb, but you can use ground beef for a more common variation. Ground turkey or chicken would work well too for a lighter version.
– **Add More Veggies:** Feel free to add other vegetables to the soup, such as parsnips, peas, or even corn, for extra flavor and color. The more vegetables you add, the heartier the soup will be.
– **Make it Spicy:** If you prefer a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some red pepper flakes when cooking the vegetables. This will give the soup a spicy kick that complements the creamy texture.

### Conclusion: Cozy Comfort in Every Bite

**Shepherd’s Pie Soup** is the ultimate comfort food, providing all the warm, hearty flavors of a traditional Shepherd’s Pie in a cozy, spoonable form. With savory meat, tender vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes, it’s the perfect dish to warm you up on a cold day or satisfy your craving for comforting food. Easy to make, versatile, and full of flavor, this soup is sure to become a family favorite. So next time you’re craving comfort food, skip the casserole and dig into a bowl of Shepherd’s Pie Soup—cozy comfort has never tasted so good!