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Home » Appetizers & Snacks » Mini Shepherd’s Pie Muffins

Mini Shepherd’s Pie Muffins

By Min On February 13, 2018, Updated May 6, 2020

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six cooked mini Shepherd's PIe Muffins on a large white plate with a toddler hand grabbing one

A quick and easy twist on an Irish classic comfort food, these mini shepherd’s pie muffins are filled with beef, vegetables and topped with creamy broccoli mashed potatoes! They’re the perfect savory muffins for babies and kids! 

six cooked mini Shepherd's PIe Muffins on a large white plate with a toddler hand grabbing one

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission (from the company, not by you) if you purchase the products through these links. I only promote products that I use in my own kitchen from companies I trust!

Contents
  • Broccoli Mashed Potatoes
    • Ingredients
    • Dietitian’s Tips
    • Step by Step Instructions
  • Meatballs
  • Ingredients
    • Step by Step Instructions
  • How to Serve to Babies and Toddlers
  • Other Baby-Friendly Meatballs

I don’t know about you but there’s something about eating with my hands that is so fun and satisfying. Something tells me our babies and toddlers would agree! Now cleaning up after them? Not so much.

Now there are two components to these mini muffins, meatballs, whatever you want to call them. So let’s get to it!

Broccoli Mashed Potatoes

I admit.

There are so many tips and tricks when it comes to making the fluffiest and creamiest mashed potatoes. I don’t know them nor will I ever go out of my way to try to master them (or will I?).

Mashed potatoes aren’t something we eat a lot at our house because we much prefer roasted potato wedges. And now I made it green by adding broccoli so there’s that ;).

All this to say, if you have a mashed potato recipe that you love, go with that! I do like to make the potatoes the night before so that it’s one less thing to do the day of.

This would also be a delicious and easy way to repurpose any leftover mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

ingredients to make broccoli mashed potatoes on a white background

Dietitian’s Tips

Steaming rather than boiling will help the vegetables retain their nutrients. This is the steamer basket that I adore. Easy to use, clean, and store.

Make sure when you fill the pot with water that it doesn’t come above the basket!

Step by Step Instructions

on the left potatoes steaming in a steamer basket on the right broccoli added to the potatoes
  1. Steam potatoes for 10 minutes or so.
  2. Add roughly chopped broccoli on top and steam until both the potatoes and broccoli are easily mashed with a fork.
broccoli mashed potatoes in a large glass bowl with a fork

You will have leftovers after topping the meatballs. Yay! More to enjoy throughout the week!

Meatballs

You can think of this individual shepherd’s pie as a meat muffin or a glorified meatball with all the flavors and components of a shepherd’s pie. This is a lightened-up version so it doesn’t taste as rich as what you might expect with the traditional version.

Ingredients

meatball ingredients laid out on a white background

Beef. Can use other ground meat of choice. We absolutely adore Butcherbox!

Vegetables. I like to use a frozen vegetable medley, but feel free to use fresh or whatever vegetables you have on hand.

A note about peas and corn. They do get pretty soft upon cooking but if you’re feeling nervous, either give them a quick chop or substitute with other vegetables, like zucchini, bell peppers, broccoli, etc.

Step by Step Instructions

on the left vegetable medley cooked in spices on the right all the ingredients for meatballs in a large stainless bowl
  1. Cook the vegetables. Add seasonings.
  2. Once cooled, transfer to a large bowl along with the rest of the ingredients.
on the left uncooked meatball in a 12 cup muffin pan on the right meatballs topped with broccoli mashed potatoes

3. Divide mixture into a 12 cup muffin pan. I love using my silicone muffin pan. Makes cleanup a breeze! Be sure to not overwork the meat! You’ll end up with tough meatballs.

4. Top with broccoli mashed potatoes.

a close up shot of savory baby muffins with a bite taken out of it

How to Serve to Babies and Toddlers

Whether you’re currently doing baby led weaning or are ready to introduce more texture to your baby, these meatballs are the perfect way to serve beef, potatoes, and vegetables all-in-one.

Hey! These are all the components for a well-balanced meal!

one half of individual Shepherd's pie, broccoli mashed potatoes, and roasted carrot with an orange baby spoon

As you see in the image, for babies you can serve 1/3-1/2 muffin. Be sure they’re big enough to grasp with their palm. You can add some extra broccoli mashed potatoes on the side with some fruit/vegetable.

Don’t put too much food at once as this can be overwhelming to your baby. Here are several methods on cooking flavorful, appropriately textured vegetables. Using a crinkle cutter makes it easier for babies to grasp.

As for the toddlers, it’s common for them to display some degree of food neophobia and fussy eating at this age. You’ll find many expert tips on how to navigate through different scenarios under Feeding Tips.

If they are hesitant about mixed foods, serving individual components separately can help ease the anxiety. And always make sure there’s something on the plate that they do enjoy and feel safe around. Remember, food untouched is not wasted. Play the exposure game hard!

Other Baby-Friendly Meatballs

  • Turkey Beet Meatballs
  • Quinoa and Mushroom Beef Meatballs
  • Asian Turkey Rice Meatballs

Did you make this baby and toddler-friendly Mini Shepherd’s Pie Muffins? Follow me on Instagram post a photo and tag me, post a photo on my Facebook page, or save it to Pinterest. I love to see what you’re making! 

six cooked mini Shepherd's PIe Muffins on a large white plate with a toddler hand grabbing one

Mini Shepherd's Pie Muffins

A quick and easy, baby and kid-friendly twist on an Irish classic comfort food, these mini shepherd pie muffins are filled with beef, vegetables and topped with creamy mashed potatoes
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12
Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

Ingredients

for the potatoes

  • 2 large (about 500g) russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 1/2 cup (165g) broccoli florets , roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup milk of choice
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/4 cup (or more) of shredded cheese of choice

for the beef mixture

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup (65g) finely chopped yellow onion
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 cup (145g) forzen vegetable medley (corn, peas, carrots) , thawed
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 egg , whisked
  • 1 tsp worcestershire sauce , optional

Instructions

To make broccoli mashed potatoes:

  • Add water to a large pot and insert a steamer basket, making sure the surface of the water doesn't come above the basket. Bring to a boil. Add potatoes, cover and steam for 10 minutes. Add broccoli on top, cover and steam for 6-8 more minutes, until potatoes and broccoli are easily mashed with a fork.Transfer to a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and continue mashing to desired consistency. 

To make the muffin base:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and carrots. Cook for 5min. Add tomato paste and thyme and combine until well incorporated, about a minute or so.
  • Transfer to a mixing bowl and set aside to cool. To the same bowl, add the ground beef, egg, and worcestershire, if using. Be careful not to overwork the mixture. Divide mixture into greased or lined 12 muffin cups.
  • Add mashed potatoes on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Notes

Time saving tip: make the broccoli mashed potatoes the day before to save time the day of.
Baby led weaning tips:
  • As always, I was cautious with the salt usage. If serving to older children and/or adults, season meat with salt and pepper. Can also omit the worcestershire sauce and cheese
  • A note about peas and corn. They do get pretty soft upon cooking but if you're feeling nervous, either give them a quick chop or substitute with other vegetables, like zucchini, bell peppers, broccoli, bell peppers, etc.

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcal | Protein: 10g | Sodium: 54mg | Potassium: 369mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg
Course Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Diet Low Salt
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @KidFriendly.Meals today!

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Filed Under: Appetizers & Snacks, Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes, Main Meals, Meats & Poultry, Recipes, Snacks/Baking

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About Min

Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our miracle baby, Caleb. Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding his little tummy and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. dixya @food, pleasure, and health says

    February 14, 2018 at 10:11 am

    i like the idea of muffins too…i tried it with cauli mashed and it was good…adding spinach is such a great idea.

    hope you and your family is doing well.

    • Min says

      February 17, 2018 at 7:01 pm

      I’ve yet to try mashed cauliflower! Thanks!! We are doing really good! Caleb is a lot of fun these days 😉

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