In Quebec, the classic Irish Shepherd’s Pie takes on a new name: Pâté Chinois. But, don’t let the name or simple ingredients fool you. It is still an incredibly easy and tasty comfort-food casserole.
Growing up, I loved when my mom would make Pâté Chinois. It had been a staple in her household growing up, and it became a staple in ours.
I loved hearing her pronounce the French Canadian name too. It reminded me of when we would stay at her parent’s house, and I would listen to my grandparents speaking French to each other in the early morning before we all got out of bed.
What Does Pâté Chinois Mean?
Growing up, the meaning of Pâté Chinois was a bit lost in translation for us. No one in our family really knew why the French Canadians called their version of Shepherd’s Pie Chinese Pie.
It was simply what it was called.
To me, that three-layered casserole was synonymous with Shepherd’s Pie. And, I had never heard of using any other vegetable in Shepherd’s Pie besides corn.
Needless to say, when my college roommates introduced me to strange vegetables like carrots and peas in Shepherd’s Pie, I was one confused cookie.
But, after doing a bit of digging into my grandparent’s French Canadian heritage and into traditional Quebecois food, I finally found the answer to my questions.
Cooks for the Chinese railway workers in the 19th century came up with this dish as a variation on Shephard’s Pie because it was an economical way to feed all the workers.
Apparently, Canadians liked it so much, it stuck around and became the national dish of Quebec.
Our Pâté Chinois Recipe
Traditionally, Pâté Chinois is made using canned creamed corn, however, my Grandmother was not a fan of creamed corn, so she would use fresh corn instead.
That version is what has been passed down in our family, and it’s the one we’re sharing with you today.
But, if you’d like to try it using creamed corn, I’d suggest making your own creamed corn, rather than using the canned version. (It’s actually quite easy.)
Similar beef casseroles from around the world
This layered beef casserole concept pops up in a number of countries around the globe. If you like this recipe for Pâté Chinois, you have to give these similar dishes a try!
- Hachis Parmentier (French Beef and Potato Casserole)
- Cottage Pie (often called Shepherd’s Pie, from Scotland)
And, probably the most unique, but no less tasty Pastel de Choclo (Chilean Beef and Corn Casserole).
Pâté Chinois (Quebec Style Shepherd's Pie)
Ingredients
For the Mashed Potatoes (Alternately, use 4 c of leftover, seasoned mashed potatoes, warmed and beaten until smooth.)
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1/3 c milk
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
For the Dish
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 lb ground beef (90% lean)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp thyme
- ¾ tsp salt
- 2 c sweet corn,* thawed if frozen
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Put peeled and quartered potatoes into a medium soup pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the potatoes are very tender. Drain and add the milk, 1 Tbsp butter, ¾ tsp salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Beat using an electric hand mixer to achieve very smooth and fluffy mashed potatoes. (If using leftover mashed potatoes, beat them to create a smooth texture, adding a splash of milk if necessary.) Set the potatoes aside.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp butter. Add the diced onion and sauté over medium-high heat until the onions are golden, 3-5 minutes. Add the ground beef and brown the beef until it is cooked through. Add the paprika, thyme, and salt. Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired.
- Pour the onion and beef mixture into the bottom of a greased 8x8 baking dish. Evenly distribute the corn over the meat. Finally, dollop the potatoes over the corn, spreading them to create an even top crust.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
Notes
More family recipes from some of our favorite bloggers:
Sweets that are the Sweetest
- Buttermilk Pie by Feeding Big and more
- German Applesauce by Magnolia Days
- Homemade Brotchen by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Irish Brack (fruit loaf) by Caroline’s Cooking
- Laura’s Old-Fashioned Prune Cake by Palatable Pastime
- Nana’s Million Dollar Cake by The Crumby Cupcake
Savory Meals with Special Memories
- Gram’s Cajun Rice Dressing by Food Lust People Love
- Grandma’s Greek Salad by FamFriendsFood
- Grandma’s Polish Meatballs by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Grannies Clam Dip by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
- Potatoes Stroganoff by Cookin’ Mimi
If you liked this recipe, here are some similar dishes you may enjoy!
Sarah is one of Curious Cuisiniere’s founding duo. Her love for cultural cuisines was instilled early by her French Canadian Grandmother. Her experience in the kitchen and in recipe development comes from years working in professional kitchens. She has traveled extensively and enjoys bringing the flavors of her travels back to create easy-to-make recipes.
Mike R
Thursday 15th of July 2021
So just pointing out, that it might have been given a different name in Quebec or elsewhere but traditionally what you have is "Cottage Pie" not "Sheppard's Pie". Sheppard's pie is made with lamb that why it was named Shappard's Pie. "Cottage Pie" is made with beef.
Sarah Ozimek
Friday 16th of July 2021
You are correct. Have you read our article on Cottage Pie/Shepherd's Pie that we link to at the bottom of this article?
Mikey
Thursday 1st of July 2021
Well, Happy Canada Day!
I am not Canadian myself - but I definitely want to visit there someday. Nevertheless, I want to spread the goodwill while I can. What better way to get into the groove of a country on its national day but to explore the deep cuisine of each.
That's what I did for July 1st, 2021. I got some doughnuts and coffee delivered (not quite Timbits and a Double Double, but it was still good) before getting my housemate some Molson beers. Then follow with some poutine delivered in the evening, this beauty of a meal for dinner, and homemade Nanaimo bars as a final sweet touch.
As for this meal, it was nice. Definitely hard to say much without referring to it as a version of Shepherd's Pie. I liked the fresh corn layer to spruce things up. Since it is winter down where I live, a hot pie is hard to beat.
Sarah Ozimek
Friday 2nd of July 2021
Happy Canada Day! Sounds like a great celebration!
Gilles Deschamps
Monday 15th of February 2021
Bonjour, Je vous transmets une recette originale, que vous pouvez utiliser ou publier. Cordialement Gilles Deschamps
PJ : Recette en Français Recette en Anglais
Recette du Crocus de Nîmes
Ingrédients 1/2 Pélardon, coupé horizontalement 2 tranches de pain complet ou de pain de mie 1 ou 2 cuillerées à café (selon les goûts) de tapenade verte (de préférence de Picholine) quelques amandes effilées (peu, seulement pour la sensation de craquant) des lamelles d’oignon doux des Cévennes (quantité : selon le goût du consommateur) 1 cuillerée à café de miel des Cévennes ou des Garrigues une grosse pincée d’herbes de Provence, dont du thym une petite pointe de safran 2 cuillerées à café d’huile d’olive de qualité supérieure
On peut y ajouter un peu d’oignon (doux ou fort) préalablement un peu roussi à la poêle.
Préparation > Sur la tranche inférieure du croque-monsieur : Mettre l’huile l’olive, après y avoir intégré le safran, sur la surface du pain Étaler la tapenade Poser le Pélardon au centre Mettre le miel sur le Pélardon Répartir les oignons sur la surface de la tranche de pain Rajouter les amandes Saupoudrer d’herbes de Provence > Recouvrir avec la seconde tranche de pain > faire chauffer dans un appareil à croque-monsieur, jusqu’à ce que le pain soit légèrement doré
Version anglaise
Crocus de Nîmes An original recipe : It is the gastronomic emblem of Nîmes. All of the ingredients could have been found during Roman times.
Ingredients 1/2 of Pélardon (goats cheese) cut into slices Wholemeal bread – ideally pain de mie Green olive tapenade Picholine du Gard Flaked almonds from the Gard Sweet onion from the Cévennes – sliced Honey from the Cévennes High qualily olive oil Thyme and aromatic herbs from the garrigue Saffron
Preparation Lightly sprinkle the bread with the saffron and with a dribble of olive oil. Spread green tapenade on one slice. Put the cheese in the middle. Spread a thin layer of honey. Sprinkle on some flaked almonds. Garnish the slice with the sweet onion. Cover with the second slice of bread. Dribble on some olive oil. Put it into a toasted sandwich machine or put it under the grill until the bread is golden and crusty.
Gilles Deschamps
Mike
Friday 22nd of January 2021
Looks nice. I am not against ( in fact all for!) " variations on a theme", but sadly the original use of lamb meat in shepherds pie is disappearing! Using beef meat would produce cottage pie, (or a variation of!) A variation of mine is to add a large dollop of Branston pickle (available?) or chutney to the meat mix, and grated cheese to the potato mash.
Sarah Ozimek
Friday 22nd of January 2021
Very true! Your variations sound delicious!
John Lefebvre
Sunday 6th of December 2020
I love Pate Chinoise and your story. I grew up in a French Canadian family in New Hampshire and loved mornings at my grand parents house and the cooking. I recently experimented a bit. I made the basic recipe but added some sour cream and shredded cheese to the mashed potatoes. Then I layered it into a pie crust with a top and baked until the crust was brown. Any creamy Campbell’s soup such as mushroom or cheddar cheese makes for a great sauce topper on your slice.
Sarah Ozimek
Sunday 6th of December 2020
Hi John! Thanks for sharing. That does sound delicious!