Mexican-Inspired Shepherd's Pie

Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Servings: 5
Yield: 5 servings

Description

This Mexican-inspired shepherd's pie with taco seasoning, taco sauce, and pan-fried onions and peppers, gets a nice nutty flavor from Emmentaler cheese.

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
1 pound ground beef
1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 (10 ounce) package frozen corn
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup shredded Emmentaler cheese
3 tablespoons taco sauce
2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup milk
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1 Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 25 minutes.
2 While potatoes are cooking, cook ground beef in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Add taco seasoning and stir until meat is coated; set aside.
3 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4 Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook until slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in frozen corn, water, and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes. Transfer corn mixture to a shallow baking dish and spread to cover the bottom. Top with seasoned meat.
5 Drain potatoes. Add Emmentaler cheese, taco sauce, and butter and mash with potatoes. Add milk, salt, and pepper, mash until smooth, and spread on top of seasoned meat.
6 Bake in the preheated oven until potatoes begin to brown, about 30 minutes.