Guinness shepherds pie

This was a big hit tonight at small group! Lucky me I made enough for dinner on Wednesday when my dad comes in so there's one less thing to do this week and my hubby is pretty happy with it too!

I found the recipe on Pinterest and here's the direct link as well as my alterations down below- http://www.thehungryhousewife.com/2011/03/guinness-shepherds-pie-2.html

8 good sized potatoes
1 cup of butter

(Skin and cook potatoes however you make mashed potatoes and add butter. Set aside)

2 lbs ground beef 80/20 (you could probably use ground turkey if you don't do beef)
1 minced yellow onion
2 Guinness beers
2 brown gravy mixes
3-4 tablespoons tomato paste
1-2 cups of mixed frozen veggies ( I used peas and carrots, but saw it made withe corn, celery, carrots, peas, green beans)
2 tablespoons brags liquid aminos ( my salt and Worcester sauce substitutes)
2 cups sharpe shredded cheese

Skin and dice potatoes, boil and cook in salted water. ( I microwaved mine for about 15 min). Add butter, mash well and set aside. Cook beef in a skillet, drain meat, return to pan and poor 1 bottle of Guinness and reduce by half over medium heat. Mince onion and cook separate in a lil bit of olive oil until onions are clearish. Thaw mixed veggies. Add tomato paste to meat, stir well. Add veggies and onions to meat. In a separate sauce pan empty contents of gravy mix and use the Guinness for half of the liquid called for on the packet ( mine called for 1 cup cold water for each packet so I used 1cup Guinness and 1 cup water). Stir sauce constantly until it begins to thicken. Add gravy to meat and veggie mixture and mix well. Pour meat and veggie mixture to a large baking dish ( I actually had enough for a large casserole dish and a small casserole dish). Spoon or pipe on mashed potatoes over entire dish, top with shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Place in preheated oven at 375 degrees for 15-20 min. The last few minutes I put it on broil to give the cheese a nice crisp topping.

Serve with a Guinness! :)