Taco Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients

• 1 lb. Ground Beef, (90% lean)

• 1 ½ lbs. russet potatoes (2 large potatoes), peeled and cut into chunks

• 1 tsp. salt

• 4 Tbsp. butter, cut into chunks

• ¼-1/3 cup milk

• 1 can (4 oz.) diced mild green chilies, drained

• 1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided use

• Garlic salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 1 package (1 ¼ oz.) taco seasoning

• 1 ½ cups salsa (hot, medium or mild depending on preference)

• 1 can (15 ½ oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed

Avocado & Tomato Topping

• 2 Roma tomatoes, diced

• 1 large avocado, diced

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• Juice of  ½ of a lime

• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with 1-inch water. Stir in 1 tsp. salt and bring to a boil over HIGH heat. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

3. While potatoes are cooking, heat a separate large non-stick skillet over MEDIUM heat until hot. Add Ground Beef and cook 8-10 minutes, breaking beef into small crumbles and stirring occasionally. Add garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute. Drain, sprinkle in the taco seasoning, add salsa and stir to combine. Cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture comes to a simmer and thickens. Remove from heat and gently stir in black beans.

4. Drain potatoes and return to pot. Mash potatoes until smooth. Add butter, milk, green chilies and 2/3 cup of cheese. Stir until well combined, cover and set aside.

    

5. Transfer meat mixture to a 2-quart baking dish and spread out evenly. Top with the mashed potatoes, spreading to an even layer all the way to the edges; sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake for 30-40 minutes until beginning to turn brown.

6. While pie is baking, place the diced tomatoes, avocado, cilantro and lime juice in a medium bowl, season with salt and pepper, stir to combine. Top each serving with a big scoop of avocado and tomato mixture.