Shepherd's Pie

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 lb ground veal (variation use ground turkey)
• 1 lb ground lamb
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (evoo)
• 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 (4 ounce) cans sliced mushrooms, with liquid
• 2 (16 ounce) bags frozen mixed vegetables (rinsed)
• 2 tablespoons flour, wondra quick-mixing flour
• 6 lbs mashed potatoes (prepared sam's club or costco)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon dill
• 1/2 cup parsley, fresh italian flat leaf, chopped (or more to your liking)

Recipe

• 1 saute onions and garlic in evoo until until translucent.
• 2 add ground meats, bay leaves, herbs (except fresh parsley) and cook through.
• 3 add diced tomatoes, and mushrooms.
• 4 let mixture simmer for 15-20 minutes.
• 5 remove bay leaves and cinnamon stick.
• 6 add salt and pepper to taste.
• 7 sprinkle wondra flour over meat mixture and cook for a few more minutes (5-10minutes).
• 8 add frozen veggies and parsley.
• 9 divide meat mixture into two casserole dishes.
• 10 cover with warmed mashed potatoes (they are easier to spread when warm).
• 11 refrigerate until ready to bake.
• 12 bake in 375 degree oven, covered with aluminum foil, for 30 minutes. remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes or until the mashed potatoes are a golden brown color. if not refrigerated, bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
• 13 serve.
• 14 optional: sprinkle your cheese of choice over the mashed potatoes before baking.
• 15 freeze the other pie or share with someone who needs dinner that night!