Simple Beef Potpie

You're going to love this! Why? Two words -

COMFORT FOOD.

Wait, make it three words -

EASY Comfort Food.

Being so far away from home we have a continuous craving for good comfort food. The kind that makes you want to cuddle up under a blanket with something warm to drink and pretend it isn't 80 degrees outside! At least that's how we like it.

So when we think comfort food a good, saucy beef potpie is what comes to mind.

I spent the longest time scanning Pinterest for a good Beef Potpie Recipe without much success. Everything I found was...well...too much work! I was looking for something that wouldn't take 3 hours to prep and cook. So since I couldn't find it, I created it!

I also worked out a Gluten Free version - see the note at the bottom for more info (:

Simple Beef Potpie

Ingredients
• 1 pound tender beef cubed (beef tips can also work)
• 1 large onion chopped
• Your favorite biscuit recipe or Bisquick (I used Down Home Recipe's biscuit recipe)
•  3 cups beef broth (prepackaged Beef Gravy** is another option - my husband prefers it over the broth)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
• 3 Tbsp flour**
• 4 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• salt
• pepper

Preheat your oven to 425F. Spray an 8x11.5/2QT casserole dish with non-stick spray and set aside.

Cut your beef into bite sized cubes and then add to a 2QT sauce pan with your chopped onion. Add just enough water to cover the beef and simmer over medium low heat.

While the beef is simmering make your biscuit dough. Roll the dough out to about 1/8 inch thick for your bottom layer. Put your rolled out dough into the prepared casserole dish, covering the bottom and all the sides. Make sure to press it into the corners. Bake it in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden.

Strain the beef and onions and set them aside. If you want you can save the beef water, its a good natural beef broth to start with. The beef water will only have a light beef flavor, if you save it and add it to your beef broth or gravy make sure to taste test for your preferred beefiness! Pour your beef broth/ gravy mix into the sauce pan and place over medium heat. If you use a gravy mix you will still need to add some broth to it. Most gravy packages make 1 cup, and you want 3 cups.

Stir in garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste. Once your broth starts to simmer add the flour and bring to a boil. (**if you use a gravy mix for one cup, you should only need 2 Tbsp of flour) Whisk continuously and scrape the bottom of the pan. Once your broth starts to thicken return the beef and onions to it and then add the mixed vegetables.

Continue to boil the mixture for 10 minutes, making sure to stir it often and scrape the bottom of the pan. Your gravy will continue to reduce and thicken.

Pour your filling into the pre-baked crust. Roll the remaining biscuit dough into an 8x11.5 inch rectangle. Feel free to make the top layer as thick or thin as you would like it depending on how fluffy you want the crust. Cut a couple slits in the dough before transferring it to the casserole dish. Cover the hot filling with your crust and pinch the edges to the side of the dish.

Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let your potpie sit 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Stephanie's Notes: My husband prefers the beef gravy to be added in for a stronger beef flavor. If you are GLUTEN FREE make sure to check the instant gravy package, as most contain flour. This is easily made into a gluten free meal by using a gluten free pie crust and cornstarch in your broth instead of flour. Don't forget it only takes half the amount of cornstarch to thicken gravy, so you would only need 1 and 1/2 Tbsp of cornstarch rather than 3 Tbsp of flour.