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Skillet Hamburger Pie

By Vicki McClure Davidson

As I've written before, those packaged boxes of "skillet meat helper" meals (minus any actual meat, usually hamburger, that you have to buy separately, adding to your cost) cost much more than a DIY skillet meal. Remember, DIY recipes instead of manufactured packages will usually save you a significant amount of money.

DIY "skillet meat helper" meals take about the same amount of time to prepare and cost a fraction of what a pricey manufactured "meat helper" box, with a bit of dehydrated potato or rice or pasta and a puny little packet of powdered flavoring stuff, costs. Unless the pre-packaged stuff is marked waaay down or is on sale, you're better off making your own.

I found this frugal, hearty recipe in Better Homes and Gardens' 1972 Easy Skillet Meals. I've made a few adaptations to the original recipe. You can easily double the recipe for those nights when the kids have friends over or you want leftovers for another meal.

This skillet dish is a complete meal, with meat, potatoes, vegetables, and cheese. Guaranteed to be a family pleaser and simple to make. The wreath of potato mounds around the top of the finished hamburger pie is quite festive-looking.

1-1/2 lb. ground beef/hamburger
1/2 c. coarsely chopped celery
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 16-oz can cut green beans, drained
1 10-3/4 can beef gravy (or homemade beef gravy)
Instant mashed potato buds (enough for 6 servings)
1/2 c. dairy sour cream
1 T. snipped chives
Paprika
1/3 c. shredded cheese, your choice

In a skillet, cook the ground beef, celery, onion, and garlic until the meat is browned and the vegetables are crisp-tender. If you're using an electric skillet, set it for 350 deg. F.

Stir in Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper, green beans, beef gravy, and 1/2 cup water.

Reduce heat (for electric skillets, down to 220 deg. F); simmer to blend flavors.

Whip potatoes and 2 cups boiling water; add sour cream, chives, and the remaining salt. Spoon in mounds of the potato mixture over the meat in a circular pattern, forming a wreath. Top each potato mound with a dash of paprika and cheese.

Cover; heat until cheese melts. Serve the hamburger pie hot from the skillet.

Serves 6.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens Easy Skillet Meals, Meredith Corporation, NY, 1972.

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Skillet Hamburger Pie