Although temperatures are on the rise for the rest of the week, don’t be fooled -- winter still has plenty more in store. It’s the perfect time to embrace hearty comfort foods that warm you from the inside out, and Chef Kevin Funk is here to help. Known for his family-inspired recipes, Chef Kevin is sharing his take on a classic winter favorite: shepherd’s pie, along with some meal prep tips to keep you cozy through the cold weeks ahead.
Comfort food favorites
Chef Funk’s top winter comfort foods include soups, stews, and pasta dishes. “We’re a big pasta family,” he shares. “Shepherd’s pie, smoked mac and cheese—anything hearty. We even raise our own animals, so it’s special to make stews with meat we’ve sourced ourselves.”
When it comes to soups, Funk’s household is well-stocked. “My wife meal preps a lot. I’ll make hearty soups that we freeze in Ziploc bags. It’s super convenient to grab one, reheat it, and have lunch ready in minutes.”
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Meal prep tips
Meal prepping is essential in the Funk household. “We dedicate Sundays to prepping for the week ahead,” Kevin explains. “We spend about four hours cooking and involve the kids—they love it. It’s made meal prep much more enjoyable.”
Kevin also recommends freezing meals in portioned bags or containers. “We use freezer-style Ziploc bags for soups and stews. They stack easily, and we try to reuse them as much as possible.”
Kevin Funk’s shepherd’s pie recipe:
*Disclaimer: The measurements provided are based on popular Shepherd's Pie recipes and were not provided by Chef Kevin.
Chef Kevin generously shared his recipe for shepherd’s pie—a family favorite that’s sure to be a hit in your home.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp parsley
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp flour (optional, for thickening)
- 2 tsp tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen carrots
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 6 potatoes, peeled and boiled
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté onions until translucent.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, parsley, thyme, and chili powder. Cook until fragrant.
- Add Worcestershire sauce, flour (if using), and tomato paste. Stir well.
- Pour in chicken broth and simmer until the mixture thickens.
- Mix in frozen peas, carrots, and corn. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Mash the boiled potatoes with butter, cream, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Spread the beef mixture evenly in a baking dish. Layer the mashed potatoes on top.
- Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Final tip: Make it a family affair
Meal prepping and cooking can feel overwhelming, but Kevin encourages making it a family activity. “Get the kids involved—it makes it more fun, faster, and they learn important skills along the way.”
For more winter comfort food inspiration, follow Chef Kevin Funk’s culinary adventures and try his hearty shepherd’s pie recipe this season.
With files from Ty Hildebrand