Time On-Post:
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Introduction
Welcome to the cooking guide for Shepherd’s Pie Soup with Toasted Bread Bites. This deliciously comforting dish takes the flavors you love from traditional shepherd’s pie and delivers them in a whole new way. Imagine enjoying the savory delight of shepherd’s pie in a warm, soul-soothing soup, accompanied by crispy toasted bread bits. This is the perfect dish for those cozy evenings or casual friend gatherings.
Why Make This Recipe
This Shepherd’s Pie Soup with Toasted Bread Bites is the perfect way to delight your taste buds this season. With its hearty and nourishing ingredients, it offers a well-rounded balance of proteins, carbs, and vegetables. More than just a traditional soup, it’s a full meal in a bowl, that will leave you feeling satiated and warmed from the inside out.
How to Make Shepherd’s Pie Soup with Toasted Bread Bites
Ingredients:
For the Soup:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground lamb or beef
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
4 cups beef broth
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup corn kernels
1 tsp thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup mashed potatoes (prepared)
For the Toasted Bread Bites:
4 slices of bread, cut into cubes
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp chopped parsley
Directions:
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground lamb or beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Once well browned, drain any excess fat.
Add the onion, carrots, and garlic to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables have softened.
Add the tomato paste, stirring to coat the meat and vegetables. Then, pour in the beef broth, stirring in the peas, corn, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste and allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
While the soup is simmering, prepare the bread bites. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Melt the butter then mix in the garlic powder and chopped parsley. Toss the bread cubes in this mixture to coat, then spread out on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven until golden brown.
Finally, swirl the mashed potatoes into the soup to thicken it. Serve bowls of the soup hot, topped with the toasted bread bites.
How to Serve Shepherd’s Pie Soup with Toasted Bread Bites
This soup can be served in large, warm bowls. For a nice touch, toast the bread bites just before serving and sprinkle on top of each bowl for a delightful crunch.
How to Store Shepherd’s Pie Soup with Toasted Bread Bites
This soup can be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 4 days. It’s best to store any leftover bread bites separately at room temperature to keep them from becoming soggy.
Tips to Make Shepherd’s Pie Soup with Toasted Bread Bites
For an even heartier soup, you can add diced potatoes along with the other vegetables. Also, consider using homemade beef broth if possible, as it gives a richer flavor than store-bought.
Variations (If Any)
You can easily vary this soup to suit your taste. Substitute the lamb with ground turkey for a lighter twist. For more vegetables, add some chopped bell peppers or celery. If you like your soups creamy, swirl in a bit of cream or sour cream at the end of cooking.
FAQs
Q1. Can I use a different type of meat?
Yes, feel free to substitute the lamb or beef with ground chicken or turkey for a lighter version.
Q2. I don’t have any bread. What else can I use for the bread bites?
If you don’t have any bread, you can use croutons, biscuits, or even small pieces of toasted pita bread.
Q3. Can this soup be frozen?
Yes, this soup can be frozen. Just be sure to freeze it without the bread bites as they may become soggy.