Start by preparing the shepherd’s pie filling which will need to simmer on the stove for around 20 minutes while the potatoes are boiling for the mashed potato topping. For the filling pull a large pan/skillet out and start browning the ground beef. Drain any fat that remains in the pan after cooking. Add the mixed vegetables and stir. Add the garlic, beef broth and the cornstarch. This would also be a good time to salt and pepper it to your liking. Add in an extra cup or maybe 2 cups of water. It’s ok if its a little watery right now as it will thicken up as it cooks. Fold this mixture into itself without breaking the peas. Let the filling heat up, once its simmering fold the mixture a number of times preferably for at least 3 minutes to build up a sheen in the sauce and give it a glistening look. Set a timer for 20 minutes and let simmer on medium heat
While the filling is simmering on the stove go ahead and start preparing your mashed potatoes for the topping. Feel free to leave the skin on the potatoes if you would like. Leaving the skin on the potatoes gives you more fiber in your diet. If the potatoes are not fresh though and have a lot of bruising I end up peeling them. Dice your potatoes as you would to make mashed potatoes. Fill a pot with water, put on the stove on high heat and add salt to the water to season the potatoes as they are cooking. Boil the potatoes until fork tender.
Drain the water from your potatoes, add salt pepper to taste, milk and butter. Mash your potatoes!
Grab out a large glass cooking pan for the oven, start your oven and heat to 375 degrees. Add the filling mixture that we created earlier to the bottom of the glass tray. Top with the mashed potatoes and spread evenly. Top this with shredded cheddar cheese, dried parsley flakes. Top this with some salt and pepper.
Place this in the oven and cook for around 30 minutes or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Let sit for around 15 minutes to stabilize.
Now its time to eat! In the picture you see a single serving, I had mad this in a few single serve portions this time as it was just me and Branden eating. This is wonderful though made in a large glass pan and keeps in the fridge for a few days. Any uneaten portion can be frozen. Enjoy!
