Shepherd’s Pie Recipe with a Functional Twist: Beef, Mushrooms & Tremella for Comfort and Wellness

​Few meals say “comfort” quite like shepherd’s pie; its layer of savory meat and fluffy potatoes make it a cozy classic. But what if we told you this nostalgic dish just got a nutritional upgrade? Our functional twist features Tremella mushroom to create a nourishing recipe that not only satisfies your cravings but also supports your overall health.

​In This Article

• ​Combine Old-School Flavor with Modern Wellness
• ​Beef & Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
• Make It Your Own
• ​Functional Comfort Food, Redefined

Combine Old-School Flavor with Modern Wellness

Tremella fuciformis, also known as the “snow mushroom”, has traditionally been valued for its role in supporting wellness and skin appearance. Often compared to hyaluronic acid, Tremella may help:

• Maintain skin hydration [1] and appearance [2]
• Support normal immune system function [3]
• Aid in the body’s natural detoxification process [4]
• Defend against normal oxidative stress [5]

With Real Mushrooms® Tremella extract powder, you’re not just cooking, you’re cultivating wellness. It’s hot water extracted from organic mushrooms (fruiting bodies), free from grain and fillers, and seamlessly blends into recipes without altering the flavor.

Beef & Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (Serves 6–8)

Ingredients

Meat & Mushroom Filling:

• 2-3 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 medium brown or yellow onions, diced
• 1 tsp dried rosemary leaves, or two 3-inch sticks of fresh rosemary
• 1 tsp dried sage leaves
• 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, or to taste
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1 lb (450 g) white button, portobello, or crimini mushrooms, chopped
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 3 tsp Real Mushrooms® Tremella powder
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup grated zucchini

Cheesy Potato Topping:

• 2 lb (900 g) Dutch cream potatoes, cut into cubes
• 1 stick (115g) butter
• ⅓ cup (80 mL) milk or hot water
• 1 oz (30 g) fresh parsley leaves, finely diced
• 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, or to taste
• 2 oz (60 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 oz (60 g) cheddar cheese, grated

Directions

Make the Meat Filling:

• Add olive oil to a large pan over medium heat.
• Add the diced onions, rosemary, and sage. Sauté until soft and golden.
• Add the garlic and saute for a few more minutes.
• Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon.
• Stir in the tomato paste, rosemary, sage, salt, and pepper.
• Add the chopped mushrooms. Cook until the beef is browned and the mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally.
• Sprinkle the Tremella powder over the mixture and stir until well incorporated.
• Add the beef broth and grated zucchini. Stir until evenly mixed and simmer for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Set the meat mixture aside.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Make the Potato Topping:

• Place the potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender.
• Drain the water from the potatoes, then add butter, milk (or hot water), salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth.
• Stir in the parsley and both cheeses. Add more hot water if needed for a spreadable consistency.

Assemble the Pie:

• Pour the meat mixture into a suitably sized baking dish and spread it out evenly.
• Spoon the mashed potatoes onto the meat in an even layer.
• Bake uncovered at 360–380°F for 25–30 minutes.
• If desired, increase the temperature up to 400°F toward the end to achieve the desired crispiness.

Make It Your Own

While this recipe features beef, it is highly adaptable:

• Swap beef for lentils or tempeh for a plant-based version
• Use sweet potatoes for an extra fiber and vitamin A boost
• Add herbs like thyme or oregano to customize the flavor profile

Boost the Benefits with Resistant Starch

For an extra wellness upgrade, refrigerate the assembled pie before baking. This simple step allows the starch in the potatoes to convert into resistant starch, a form of carbohydrate that resists digestion, lowers glycemic impact, and acts as a prebiotic to nourish your gut microbiome.

Functional Comfort Food, Redefined

Nourishing, satisfying, and deeply comforting, this shepherd’s pie recipe is a perfect example of functional comfort food, without sacrificing the joy of indulgence.

So go ahead, savor the richness, celebrate the functionality, and give your comfort food a serious health boost.

Related Articles

1. Mushrooms for Gut Health: How Functional Fungi Can Help Digestion
2. Beyond Vitamins: How Mushrooms are Revolutionizing Natural Nutrition
3. Skin Hydrating Arnold Palmer Recipe
4. Lion’s Mane and Tremella Chocolate Fudge Cake

References

1. Lourith, N., Pungprom, S., & Kanlayavattanakul, M. (2020). Formulation and efficacy evaluation of the safe and efficient moisturizing snow mushroom hand sanitizer. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13543
2. Paterska, M., Czerny, B., & Cielecka-Piontek, J. (2024). Macrofungal Extracts as a Source of Bioactive Compounds for Cosmetical Anti-Aging Therapy: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients, 16(16), 2810. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162810
3. Huang, T.-Y., Yang, F.-L., Chiu, H.-W., Chao, H.-C., Yang, Y.-J., Sheu, J.-H., Hua, K.-F., & Wu, S.-H. (2022). An Immunological Polysaccharide from Tremella fuciformis: Essential Role of Acetylation in Immunomodulation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(18), 10392. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231810392
4. Ma, X., Yang, M., He, Y., Zhai, C., & Li, C. (2021). A review on the production, structure, bioactivities and applications of Tremella polysaccharides. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 35, 205873842110005. https://doi.org/10.1177/20587384211000541
5. Shen, T., Duan, C., Chen, B., Li, M., Ruan, Y., Xu, D., Shi, D., Yu, D., Li, J., & Wang, C. (2017). Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide suppresses hydrogen peroxide-triggered injury of human skin fibroblasts via upregulation of SIRT1. Molecular Medicine Reports, 16(2), 1340–1346. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.6754