Benefits

Cereal toppings have several advantages over the traditional mashed potato topping or pie crust. They're fast and easy to make, relying on just a handful of ingredients, and they pack on fewer calories. Cereals are usually fortified with vitamins and minerals, so they add additional nutrition. A cereal topping stays crisp and imparts a nutty, slightly sweet flavor to the dish. Cereal crusts, on the other hand, lack the homey substance of mashed potatoes. Some types of cereal, such as heavy wheat cereals, might give a heavy grain flavor, while rice cereals have a lightweight structure and break down easily.

Method

Opt for a corn cereal for your topping. Corn cereals have a milder flavor than wheat types. Crush the cereal into fine crumbs in a food processor or place it in a sealed bag and roll over it repeatedly with a rolling pin. Generously season the corn flake crumbs with salt, pepper, garlic, thyme and rosemary. Sprinkle the crumbs over the prepared shepherd's pie and bake it for 30 minutes or until the pie is bubbly and the crumbs are golden brown and crisp. A traditional shepherd's pie might have a 2-inch layer of mashed potatoes. When using a cereal crust, limit the crust to no more than 1/4 inch.

Alternatives

For a decadent and filling pie, don't forgo the mashed potatoes. After all, they're the classic topping for this homey dish. Instead, a 2-inch layer of mashed potatoes over the meat and vegetables in a casserole dish. Mix the cereal topping with a bit of sharp, grated cheese. Sprinkle the cheese and cereal topping over the mashed potatoes and bake. The soft texture of the potatoes combines deliciously with the crunchy topping. If you prefer, you can skip the potatoes and the cereal topping and whip up a baking powder biscuit dough or a pie crust.

Quality of Ingredients

No matter the type of topping you choose, the quality of your ingredients will determine the quality of the final product. Shepherd's Pie uses potatoes, a savory leftover pot roast or chopped, tenderized stew meat. Make a savory sauce with beef gravy, tomato paste or red wine. Traditional vegetables are fine, as long as the ingredients are fresh.