Mushroom & Herb Shepherd’s Pie topped with White Cheddar Mashed Potatoes

Step 1

• Wash and dry all produce. • Dice potatoes into ½-inch pieces; place in a large pot with enough salted water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, 15-20 minutes. • Reserve ½ cup potato cooking liquid, then drain and return potatoes to pot. • Keep covered off heat until ready to mash.

Step 2

• While potatoes cook, quarter mushrooms. Trim, peel, and finely dice carrots. Halve, peel, and dice half the onion (whole onion for 4 servings). Strip half the thyme leaves from stems (all the thyme leaves for 4); mince leaves.

Step 3

• Heat a large drizzle of olive oil in a medium, preferably ovenproof, pan (use a large pan for 4 servings) over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and a big pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 5 minutes. • Add another drizzle of olive oil to pan, then stir in carrots, diced onion, and salt. Cook, stirring, until veggies are softened, 5-7 minutes more.

Step 4

• Stir 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings) into pan with veggies until melted, then add minced thyme, garlic powder, and flour. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. • Stir in tomato paste until incorporated, 1 minute. • Pour in ¾ cup water (1 cup for and stock concentrates, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer and cook until sauce has thickened, 2-3 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Turn off heat. TIP: If your pan isn’t ovenproof, transfer mixture now to a baking dish.

Step 5

• Mash potatoes with sour cream, half the cheddar (you’ll use the rest in the next step), and 2 TBSP butter (3 TBSP for 4 servings) until smooth and creamy, adding splashes of reserved potato cooking liquid as needed. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 6

• Heat broiler to high. • Once filling has thickened, spoon mashed potatoes on top. Spread potatoes into an even layer, leaving a 1-inch border around edge of pan. • Sprinkle potatoes with remaining cheddar.

Step 7

• Broil shepherd’s pie until cheese is lightly browned, 3-4 minutes. TIP: Watch carefully to avoid burning. • Let rest at least 5 minutes, then divide between plates and serve.