Simple Shepherd's Pie

By Addie

"If I know my day will be hectic, I'll pull the meat mixture for this convenient, family-pleasing pie out of the freezer to thaw," comments Paula Zsiray of Logan, Utah. "And if you use frozen or instant mashed potatoes to top the pie, it's even quicker to fix."

Ingredients

• ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS (for each casserole):
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 cans (12 ounces each) home-style beef gravy
• 2 cups frozen corn
• 2 cups frozen peas and carrots
• 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
• .......................................................
• 2 to 3 cups mashed potatoes
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• Paprika

Preparation

Step 1

In a Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the gravy, vegetables and onion. Spoon half into a greased 2-qt. baking dish or four oven-safe 2-cup dishes. Top with mashed potatoes. Drizzle with butter and sprinkle with paprika.

Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until heated through. Place the remaining beef mixture in a freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months.

To prepare frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator; transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Top with the potatoes, butter and paprika; bake as directed. Yield: 2 casseroles (4 servings each).