Lazy Day Shepherd’s Pie

1. Brown ground meat. When meat is almost browned, add in the diced onion and minced garlic to cook a bit. Drain thoroughly. Transfer to a heat-proof bowl.

2. Add the parsley and ground pepper to the meat mixture, and blend well. (Add any other herbs you like at this stage. Rosemary and thyme are very good, too. This is a very flexible recipe!)

3. In a separate bowl, combine the 2 cups of gravy with the can of cream soup, until completely blended. Pour gravy mixture into the meat mixture and stir.

4. Add the frozen veggies and canned tomatoes to the meat mixture and blend well.

5. Spread meat and veggie mixture into a greased, deep, casserole dish. (It should be at least 4 inches deep, to prevent an oven mess!)

6. Evenly spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the meat mixture. Sprinkle with cheese.

7. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 45 minutes, until the mixture is bubbly and hot, the cheese is melted, and the mashed potatoes are just starting to brown around the edges.

Serve with a crisp green salad and crusty bread for a satisfying, delicious comfort food feast!