The Italian Irishman's Pie

This is a recipe my Irish aunt gave me. Her husband is Italian, and she developed this recipe to blend things they both like. It is a variation of Shepherd's Pie. For richer flavor, substitute beef broth for water in gravy.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 373 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons margarine
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
• 3 cups prepared mashed potatoes
• 2 apples, cored and sliced
• 2 tablespoons sausage drippings
• 1 tablespoon melted margarine

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir Italian sausage until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer sausage to prepared casserole dish. Drain drippings and reserve 2 tablespoons drippings in the skillet.

Step 4

Melt 2 tablespoons margarine in a separate skillet over medium heat; cook and stir apple and onion slices until tender, about 8 minutes. Place apple and onion in casserole dish with sausage.

Step 5

Lightly stir sausage, apple, and onion together; season with salt, black pepper, and oregano.

Step 6

Brown flour in reserved drippings in skillet over medium heat. Whisk water into flour until thick gravy forms, about 3 minutes.

Step 7

Pour gravy over sausage mixture in the casserole dish; spread mashed potatoes over the top with a spoon, creating peaks. Lightly brush mashed potatoes with 1 tablespoon melted margarine.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven until the potatoes are lightly browned and the sausage mixture is bubbling, about 30 minutes.