Italian Shepard’s Pie

If you’re looking for another way to use up those holiday mashed potatoes, this just might be it. This is not your average shepard’s pie.This has ground beef and sausage you could also add some sliced zucchini as well, I did not add them as I did not have them on hand but next time I will! I added extra sausage for this one! This is a recipe that needs to be made ahead of time. I made this the night before I was going to bake it and it made for a very easy dinner, add a salad and you’re done!

INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup shredded italian cheese blend cheese
2 cups mashed potatoes
8 ounces lean ground beef
8 ounces ground sweet italian sausage
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes undrained
1/2 of a 6 ounce can of tomato paste
ground pepper
paprika optional

DIRECTIONS
Stir half of the cheese into the mashed potatoes and set mixture aside. In a large skillet cook ground beef, sausage and onion until meat is browned and onion is tender. Drain off any fat. If you were going to use zucchini now would be the time to add it (about two cups). Add tomatoes, tomato paste and pepper into meat mixture and bring to a boil and simmer about 5-10 minutes.
Put the meat mixture in to your round baking dish and spoon mashed potatoes over the top, sprinkle with the remaining cheese and paprika if desired. cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours but up to 48 hours.
Preheat oven to 375.  Remove plastic wrap, cover with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for 5 more minutes. Let stand for five minutes before serving.

Enjoy,