Bachelor Shepherd’s Pie

This is an ideal dish to make your own. It can feed a large group or the easily- warmed leftovers can be paired with a salad, cornbread or home-baked rolls.

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 25 Min.
Cook Time: 25 Min.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 8 oz. sliced white mushrooms
• 1 tsp. salt, divided
• 1/4 stick unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup half & half
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 12 oz.. package frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 lb. extra lean ground beef
• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 Tbsp. flour
• 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/8 tsp. ground red pepper
• 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 3 lbs. Gold potatoes
• 2 Tbsp. salt
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Peel and cut potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Rinse. Put in a large saucepan or medium pot and add enough water to cover. Put the pot over high heat and bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium and simmer potatoes for 10 to 15 minutes until they are soft but not falling apart.
2. When potatoes are done, drain and add butter, half & half, 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Mash by hand until most lumps are gone and potatoes have the right consistency without being paste-like. Do not over-mash them!
3. Preheat oven to 425°F. In a 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add onion and cook 3 min., stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms and 1/4 tsp. salt and cook 5 to 7 min. or until all liquid evaporates and mushrooms are lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Stir in frozen mixed vegetables and cook 2 min. longer. Spread vegetable mixture evenly in 3-quart casserole.
4. In the same skillet, cook ground beef over high heat 5 min. or until browned, breaking up meat with the side of a spoon. Stir in tomato paste, flour, thyme, ground red pepper and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt; cook 1 min., stirring. Add broth to beef mixture and heat to boiling; boil 1 min. or until mixture thickens slightly. Spread beef mixture evenly over vegetables.
5. Spread potatoes evenly over beef. Bake 2o min. or until sides bubble. Remove and add cheese evenly over the top and replace in oven for another 5 minutes. Let stand for at least 5 min. before serving.