Shepherd's Pie

This is a highly modified version of a Paula Deen recipe. It is delicious and ideal comfort food. It can be prepared in advance and cooked off when needed. Recipe follows:

1 small onion
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
6 tbls. unsalted butter
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups mixed frozen veggies
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 cups of your favorite instant mashed potatoes or left over homemade
2 cups instant biscuit mix
1 cup milk
1 cup panko bread crumbs

Beef layer: Saute onions in 2 tbls. butter until tender, about 6-8 minutes. Add ground beef. After beef is brownded, add tomato sauce; Mix in vegetables. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
Prepare instant potatoes according to directions.
Combine biscuit mix and 1 cup milk. The mix should be thinner than normal biscuit mix but not runny.

Preheat oven to 350.

Spray a 9 by 2-inch pan, or any similar casserole dish. Layer half way up with the mashed potatoes. Next spread a layer of mixed veggies on top of potatoes. Then add a layer of the meat.Pour biscuit mix over meat. Top with Panko bread crumbs. Melt 4 tbls. of butter and drizzle on top. bake for approximately 35 to 45 minutes until top is golden brown. Serve

Enjoy!!!