Skillet Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients

• Mashed potatoes
• 1 pound ground beef (or ground lamb)
• Olive oil for pan
• 1 medium onion, small-diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/3 teaspoon dried)
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced (or 1/3 teaspoon dried)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup fire-roasted canned diced tomatoes (about half of a 14-ounce can)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup beef broth (plus more as needed)
• 1 1/2 cups frozen or fresh vegetable mix (carrots, peas, green beans, corn)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. 1

   Mashed potatoes: Make the mashed potatoes per the recipe instructions (links to my fluffy mashed potatoes recipe).

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

3. 3

   In a 10 or 12 inch oven-proof skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat. Transfer the cooked beef to a plate and set aside.

4. 4

   Reduce to medium heat. To the same skillet, add a few drizzles of olive oil and cook the diced onions until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and paprika, and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.

5. 5

   Return the cooked beef to the skillet. Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and canned diced tomatoes until combined.

6. 6

   Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir to evenly coat. Gradually, add the beef broth, braking up any lumps. Bring to a simmer (it will thicken). If too thick, add more broth as needed.

7. 7

   Stir in the mixed vegetables and simmer on low for 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat.

8. 8

   Evenly spread the mashed potatoes over the filling. Brush with melted butter. Decorate by creating patterns with a rubber spatula or fork. Note: if the mashed potatoes are cold, reheat before using so it's easier to spread.

9. 9

   Place the skillet on a large sheet pan in case some of the filling spills over. Bake for about 25 minutes until golden brown. If you want it more golden brown, broil for about 1-2 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley. Enjoy!