This is always the first recipe I post because I find it to be super easy, and super duper yummy and soothing in cold weather.
Shepherd’s pie traditionally contains ground lamb, but a lot of people don’t like lamb, and I think that’s relatively unfriendly to your wallet, so I use only ground beef. No chance of gaminess in the taste, plus there’s seriously no way of messing this up.
PS I don’t measure everything, but I will try to guess how much it is…
1 lb. ground beef (not too lean)
1 package instant mashed potatoes- I use Betty Crocker or America’s Choice (Waldbaum’s brand) roasted garlic, herb & butter works fine too, or if you’re a little daring, try the cheddar one
1 package frozen mixed veggies (pick the kind you like)
salt, pepper to taste
1 cup? soy sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
minced garlic, to taste (I LOVE garlic)
minced onion if desired
(1 teaspoon cornstarch
Cold water for slurry mixture
Cornstarch in bottom of bowl; cold water on top, about a cup to a cup and a half. Mix with fingers until mixture resembles skim milk; making sure there are no lumps)
Preheat oven to 350.
Brown ground beef in skillet and add onion, garlic & Italian seasoning; crumble. Stir together. (Drain ground beef if desired but leave a little oil.)
At the same time, prepare mashed potatoes according to package.
Add soy sauce to ground beef; stir through. Add slurry mixture to center; stir thoroughly. Allow to come to a boil/start bubbling; gravy will start to form. If too bland, add more soy sauce; if too dry, add more water. Play with the ratios until it’s as thick/dry/wet/thin as you like!
Add package of frozen veggies on top; stir through once then turn off fire. Pour mixture into baking dish or tinfoil pan. Spread mashed potatoes evenly on top; if desired, sprinkle with a little paprika.
Into the oven it goes, for 15-20 minutes. Turn on the broiler for last 2-3 minutes, until tops of potatoes brown a little and become crispy (if YOU like it crispy).
Serve immediately; it should be possible to slice like lasagna and lift out mashed potatoes & gravy/sauce at the same time.
***This same dish, minus the mashed potatoes, can be cooked and served over white rice. YUM!
ENJOY!!!! 
Leave a Reply