Ingredients
Squashed Potato Topper:
- 2 pounds baby red or yellow potatoes
- Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons EVOO
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- Freshly ground pepper
Casserole Filling:
- 2 tablespoons EVOO
- 1 pound thick-cut good-quality corned beef, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef sirloin
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 to 3 small stalks celery with leafy tops, finely chopped
- 1 large fresh bay leaf
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 rounded tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup lager beer, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- One 10-ounce can beef consomme or 1 1/2 cups beef stock
- One 1-pound bag sauerkraut, rinsed and drained well
- 1 1/2 cups shredded good-quality Swiss cheese
- 1 cup shredded or crumbled sharp white Cheddar
- 1 small bunch watercress, chopped
Russian Dressing Topper:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- Few dashes hot sauce
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
For the potato topper: Boil the potatoes in salted water until just tender. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Heat the butter and EVOO in a small skillet over medium heat and toast the caraway seeds. Pour the caraway mixture over the potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Spread the potatoes on a baking sheet and squish them with the bottom of a water glass to flatten them. Roast until crisp, 25 to 30 minutes. Leave the oven on.
Meanwhile, for the casserole filling: Heat the EVOO in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the corned beef and cook until browned, and then remove to a plate. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Add the garlic, celery, bay leaf, carrots and onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Return the corned beef to the skillet.
Heat the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking, until light golden. Whisk in the beer, Worcestershire, mustard and consomme; season with pepper.
Pour the gravy over the corned beef mixture and stir to combine. Transfer to a casserole dish and top with the sauerkraut, cheeses and potatoes. Bake until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.
Meanwhile, for the Russian dressing topper: Combine the sour cream, ketchup, relish and hot sauce and season with salt and pepper.
Drizzle the casserole with the dressing and garnish with watercress just before serving.
Cook's Note: The unbaked casserole can be covered and refrigerated for a make-ahead meal. Reheat in the oven before serving.
Photo: Reuben-Style Shepherd's Pie Recipe
















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By Madiootza
Pompano Beach
on February 05, 2013
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I made this for SuperBowl this year. OUTSTANDING! Tasted just like a Rueben. I tweeked the falvorings to my families liking (no caraway-replaced with garlic, no swiss-replaced with Gruyère] added peas...but very easy to make & a big hit! Feeds way more than 4-6 people. 8 of us ate & there were still left-overs. The only reason I gave it 4 verses 5 stars was becuase it was very rich...and when making Shepherd's Pie I prefer it to be more mild so as to be in the Comfort Food catagory.
By mjsdreams1
Phoenix Arizona
on May 05, 2012
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Very tasty!! My family really enjoyed it, but it was way to big for us, so we will cut down the recipe next time. I found the kraut to pie ratio just right. I did make a couple of changes.... I used left over mashed potatoes with the caraway seed mixed in it and due to food allergies we used ginger ale instead of beer. This was a hit and we will make again.
By will feed all w...
on April 16, 2012
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A nice change of pace. I actually made this yesterday so it had time to sit and meld overnight before baking. I will say this was rather labor intensive, in part because I prepared my own corned beef in the pressure cooker. The family was not crazy with the potatoes. I think next time I might sub hash browns instead or just the usual mashed with the cheeses on top. We thought the kraut to pie ratio was just right. It was moist and flavorful. Loved the homemade russian dressing. Another winner Rachael. Love the way you think out of the box!
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