Shepherd's Pie Baked Potatoes Are an Easy Mashup of Two of Our Favorite Comfort Foods

1. If Using Only the Oven for the Potatoes (see notes): Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a fork or paring knife, puncture potatoes in several spots. Rub each potato with a light coat of oil. Arrange on a rack set on a baking sheet or 9- by 13-inch dish, and bake until a fork can easily be inserted into the center of each potato, about 1 hour. If setting potatoes directly on the oven rack, set a sheet of foil on the rack below to catch any oil drips.

2. If Using the Microwave and Oven for the Potatoes (see notes): Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Using a fork or paring knife, puncture potatoes in several spots. Microwave potatoes for 5 minutes. Rub each potato with a light coat of oil. Arrange on a rack set on a baking sheet or 9- by 13-inch dish, and bake until a fork can easily be inserted into the center of each potato, about 20 minutes. If setting potatoes directly on the oven rack, set a sheet of foil on the rack below to catch any oil drips.

3. If Using Only the Microwave for the Potatoes (see notes): Using a fork, prick skin of the potatoes all over. Working in batches if needed, place potatoes on microwave-safe plate, and microwave on high power until potatoes are tender and can be easily pierced with a paring knife, 10 to 12 minutes.

4. Let potatoes stand until cool enough to handle, then slice off upper-third of the potatoes lenthwise (like a potato canoe). Scoop out potato flesh into a medium bowl, leaving a 1/4-inch layer attached to the skin.

5. Using a ricer, pass the potatoes into a medium bowl. Using a flexible spatula, stir in butter until incorporated. Add cream, folding until incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in beaten egg mixture until combined, taking care not to overmix the potatoes. Set aside.

6. Meanwhile, for the Meat Sauce: In a 1-cup liquid measuring cup, add stock, sprinkle gelatin on top, and set aside.

7. In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat oil over high heat until shimmering. Add half of ground meat and cook, stirring and scraping bottom of pot, until well browned, 6 to 8 minutes; use a potato masher or large whisk to break up meat. Add remaining meat and cook, breaking up with masher or whisk, until reduced to small bits, about 3 minutes; lower heat as necessary to prevent scorching. If meat has rendered an excessive amount of fat, use a metal spoon to ladle most of it out, leaving just a few tablespoons in the pot. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring and scraping bottom of pot, until just beginning to soften slightly, about 4 minutes.

8. Add tomato paste and cook over medium heat, stirring, for 1 minute. Add red wine and bring to a simmer over high heat. Cook, scraping up any browned bits, until almost fully evaporated. Add reserved chicken stock, thyme, bay leaf, Worcestershire, and fish sauce, if using. Sprinkle flour over ground meat in pot, then stir in. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer until sauce is reduced and thick, about 20 minutes. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Stir in peas and season with salt and pepper.

9. To Assemble and Bake: Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).Brush outer skins with melted butter and place on a sheet pan or in a 9- by 13-inch dish. Fill hollowed skins generously with meat mixture.

10. Fit a piping bag with a 1/2-inch star tip. Using a flexible spatula, scraper potato mixture to piping bag. Pipe potato on top by holding filled pastry bag at an 80° angle, and applying steady downward pressure to form small mounds in an even decorative pattern. You’ll have plenty leftover. We recommend piping the rest to make individual servings of pommes duchesse.

11. Bake, rotating baking sheet or or 9- by 13-inch dish halfway through, until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve.

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Special Equipment

Microwave, ricer or food mill, disposable pastry bag, 1/2-inch star tip, quarter-sheet pan or 9- by 13-inch baking dish

Notes

Baking the potatoes in the oven produces marginally better results, but takes longer. The microwave speeds things up.

Make-Ahead and Storage

The potatoes can be assembled, wrapped with plastic, and refrigerated up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F (180°C) oven for about 35 minutes, then use broiler to brown top.