Shepherd's Pie

I hesitated to do this post.  It is not a fancy exciting recipe that you see on most food blogs.  But then I realized that is not what I am about. Like it or not we are a family that eats simple meals.  Delicious, simple food that does not cost a fortune to make.  Then I thought -- well everyone knows how to make Shepherd's Pie.  It was then I remembered a double date I had several years ago with my husband and another couple.  They had a teenage daughter and we had young children.  They offered to bring their daughter over to babysit while we went out together.  I offered to cook dinner for all the kids and I made Shepherd's Pie.  My friend, whom I consider an amazing cook, had never heard of or eaten Shepherd's Pie.  I encouraged her to try a bite before we left for our date.  Her husband tried more than just a bite...in fact we had to pull him away from the table!  So I guess not everyone makes Shepherd's Pie and certainly not everyone makes it like I do ... so here it is ... a simple, delicious, cost effective Shepherd's Pie.

Shepherd's Pie

1 lb. Ground Beef

2 T. Minced Garlic

1 small Chopped Onion

(or 1/4 C. Dehydrated Onion)

1 (1 lb) bag mixed vegetables - any variety

2 (8 oz) Cans Tomato Sauce

Mashed Potatoes

Cheese

Brown your Ground Beef, Garlic, and Onion in a sauce pan.

You can add salt and pepper to taste if you want. 

Drain off the fat and add the frozen mixed vegetables.

Add the tomato sauce and spread into a 9x13 pan.

Now lets talk a minute about the mashed potatoes.  I will go on record by saying that as a rule I don't really eat instant mashed potatoes.  Homemade ones are so much better.  However, that being said, in this recipe I don't mind them so much.  I guess it is because there are so many other flavors going on that I am not eating the instant potatoes by themselves.  Lets combine that with the fact that we are in the middle of moving 5 hours south of where we currently live and the fact that my family is lucky to get any meal prepared at dinner time these days and the instant mashed potatoes don't sound so bad any more. 

 Let's face it...they really are a lot easier to make.

Top the meat and veggie mixture with

whatever mashed potatoes you are using.

Next top that with 8 oz shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese.

Take a look at that side view...yum!

Bake uncovered at 350* for 30-40 minutes until the dish is hot and bubbling.

There you have it. Fast, simple, delicious.

Let me know what you think...I love feedback!