This is the quickest way I know how to cut corners on making this quick for a family dinner meal..
I will write down the ingredients that you can "cheat with" to hasten the recipe even more if you want.
1-2 cups of real mashed potatoes (Look for the recipe for how to make REAL mashed Potatoes) or) 1 1/3 cups instant mashed (potato buds) from a box
1 2/3 cups of whole milk no substitute here
2 Tablespoons of real Butter or Margarine
1 teaspoon of salt divided
1 pound of ground beef minced
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 jar (12 ounces) beef gravy or) make up an instant powdered packet of beef gravy to equal 12 ounces
1 (10 ounces) of canned mixed vegs or) (10 ounces) of frozen mixes vegs thawed and drained
3/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1 cup of chopped onion or) 2 Tablespoons of dried Onion flakes
Preheat broiler in your oven.
If using Potato buds..go by the 4-servings chart according to the package and use 1/2 of the teaspoon of salt
or) if you make your own mashed potatoes from scratch, while the potatoes are boiling to a soft stage to mash..start browning your beef mince with your chopped onion or use your onion flakes at this time.
Drain Drippings.
Sprinkle your browned meat and onion with pepper and the other half teaspoon of salt. Add gravy and mixed vegetables. Mix well. Cook for 5 minutes just enough to get it good and hot.
Put this mixture in a broiler proof dish or skillet.
Now, spoon your mashed potatoes around the outside edge of the dish or skillet, working it to the centre of the top of your mixture leaving a very small steam escape hole at the top.
Now sprinkle the cheese evenly over the mash and Broil 4-5 inches from the broiler for 3 minutes or until cheese is golden brown and meat mixture is bubbly.
NOTE: Shepard's Pie was originally used finely cut up Lamb instead of Beef or) as Natives we used Deer or Buffalo meat also finely chopped up.
