Spicy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

 

If you’ve gotten your fill of turkey sandwiches, turn those precious Thanksgiving leftovers into this Tex-Mex twist on a classic shepherd’s Pie. Zooshed up with chorizo, green chiles, beans and cheese, this Texas-inspired casserole has a touch of smoky heat. If you want to dial up the spice, add a couple dashes of your favorite hot sauce or look for a spicy pork chorizo. Don’t have leftovers? Use shredded rotisserie chicken and store-bought or homemade mashed potatoes. Pro tip: To get the crispy brown bits on the top of your shepherd’s pie, use the back of your spoon to create peaks and valleys in the mashed potatoes. Grease with a bit of cooking spray before popping in the oven and then finish under the broiler before serving.

 
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Serves 4 to 6

  • 1 Tablespoon canola oil

  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • ½ pound loose fresh pork chorizo

  • 5 cups shredded leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken

  • 1½ cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth

  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch

  • One 15.5-ounce can GOYA pink or pinto beans, rinsed and drained

  • One 15-ounce can corn, rinsed and drained

  • One 4-ounce can chopped green chiles, drained

  • Kosher salt

  • 6 cups leftover or ready-made mashed potatoes

  • 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

  • ½ cup sour cream (optional, see Note)

  • Nonstick cooking spray

  • Thinly sliced scallions, small cilantro sprigs, for garnish

  • Hot sauce and lime wedges, for serving

    1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. In a large deep cast-iron skillet (ideally 12 inches), heat the canola oil. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the chorizo and cook over moderate heat, breaking up the meat with your spatula, until almost cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the shredded turkey.

    2. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk the chicken stock with the cornstarch. Add to the skillet and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the beans, corn and green chiles. Season with salt, if needed.

    3. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, microwave the mashed potatoes on HIGH until hot, about 2 minutes. Add the cheese and sour cream, if needed, and mix until almost smooth. Spoon the potatoes on top of the turkey-chorizo filling and spread in an even layer, using the back of your spoon to create peaks in the potatoes. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.

    4. Set the shepherd’s pie on a rimmed baking sheet and transfer to the oven. Bake until the potatoes are beginning to brown on top and the filling is bubbling up around the edges, about 20 minutes. If desired, heat the broiler to HIGH and broil the shepherd’s pie until browned on top, 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and scallions and serve right away, passing hot sauce and lime wedges at the table.


    NOTE If your leftover mashed potatoes are very thick, then fold in the sour cream to make them more spreadable.