Mexican Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 cup diced onions
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• Salt & pepper
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked or regular paprika
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1-28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 can corn, drained
• 6 cups diced peeled potatoes
• 1 can green chiles
• 1 cup milk
• ¼ cup melted butter
• 8-ounces cheddar or pepper jack cheese, grated

Directions

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees.
2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef.  Drain excess grease from beef.  Add onions, garlic, Mexican spice and salt & pepper.  Cook mixture until onions are translucent.
3. Add crushed tomatoes to beef mixture and simmer on low for about 20 minutes.
4. Pour beef mixture into 9 X 13 inch baking dish.
5. Meanwhile, cook potatoes until tender and mash with warmed milk and melted butter.  Season with salt & pepper.
6. In a separate bowl, combine black beans, corn and chiles.  Distribute bean mixture evenly over beef then spread mashed potatoes on top.  Sprinkle cheese over potatoes.
7. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until cheese is melted.

• Serves 8.