Description
Start your spooky season right with this Spooky Ghost Shepherd’s Pie — a fun and festive twist on a classic comfort food recipe. This easy dinner idea features a savory beef and veggie base topped with fluffy mashed potatoes piped into adorable little ghosts. It’s a playful yet hearty dish perfect for Halloween parties, cozy dinners, or just because. Great for meal prepping, themed gatherings, or introducing kids to comforting food ideas in a fun way. Try this quick, easy recipe to surprise your family with a dinner they’ll never forget!
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup frozen carrots or diced fresh carrots
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup beef broth
Salt and pepper to taste
4 cups mashed potatoes
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup milk
Black olives (sliced or chopped)
Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add diced onions and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
5. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, peas, and carrots.
6. Let simmer for 5–8 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Boil peeled and chopped potatoes in salted water until fork-tender (about 15 minutes).
9. Drain and mash with butter and milk.
10. Let the mash cool slightly, then spoon into a piping bag fitted with a large round or star tip.
11. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
12. Spread the meat filling evenly into a baking dish.
13. Pipe the mashed potato ghosts across the surface of the filling.
14. Use tiny pieces of black olives for eyes and mouths.
15. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until edges bubble and ghost tips brown slightly.
16. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Chill the mashed potatoes before piping for ghosts that hold their shape.
You can prep and assemble a day ahead and bake fresh.
Use russet potatoes for the best mash consistency for piping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: halloween dinner, shepherd's pie, spooky recipe, ghost mashed potatoes, kids Halloween food