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Worms & Dirt Shepherd’s Pie

Worms & Dirt Shepherd’s Pie: A Halloween Treat to Delight

Worms & Dirt Shepherd’s Pie is a spooky yet scrumptious Halloween dish that delights and warms the soul.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 slices
Course: Casserole
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Mashed Potatoes
  • 2 pounds starchy potatoes (like Russet) for fluffy texture
  • 4 tablespoons butter preferably unsalted
  • 1/2 cup milk or cream, whole/non-dairy alternatives work
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
For the Worms
  • 8 ounces black bean spaghetti gluten-free options can substitute
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil to drizzle when cooking
For the Dirt Topping
  • 1 cup crushed olives or crushed nuts as a swap
  • 1 teaspoon paprika for added color

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • baking dish
  • Spatula
  • colander

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Peel and chop the potatoes into even-sized chunks, place them in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook for about 15-20 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and return to the pot. Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper, then mash until smooth.
  2. In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil, add black bean spaghetti, and cook according to package instructions (about 6-8 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a greased baking dish, spoon the mashed potatoes in an even layer. Smooth the top with a spatula.
  4. Scatter the cooked black bean spaghetti evenly over the mashed potatoes to create a 'worm' effect.
  5. Sprinkle crushed olives over the black bean spaghetti, mixing with paprika if desired.
  6. Bake for about 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and slightly crispy.
  7. Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, and serve hot, garnished with remaining crushed olives.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 6gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Drain potatoes well for a creamy base; cool spaghetti slightly after cooking to prevent clumping. Use high-quality olives for the topping and ensure even layers for optimal cooking.

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