Cottage Pie Recipe

My friend posted this on Facebook so I am copying it here for safe keeping!

I can has Cottage Pie?

YES U CAN HAS!

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
• 1 lb extra lean ground beef (angus please!).  If you want a veg version go for some veggie crumbles or just leave out the meat
• olive oil
• 1/2-1 can tomato puree or 2 grated fresh tomatoes 
•  a few tbs Sriracha (Rooster) hot sauce (use to your own taste)
• 2 tsp thyme leaves
• 1 tsp oregano or italian seasoning
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• garlic and onion powders
• 1 regular sized bag of frozen mixed veggies OR fresh chopped carrots, peas, green beans, and corn (NO potatoes!).  Don't use canned, they've got a ton of sodium and are soggy
• 1/2-1 cup chicken or vegetable broth or water
• 7 potatoes (or more or less depending on preference), peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1/2-1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 knob butter (yes I wanted to say knob)
• splash or two of milk
• ground pepper
• parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Saute onion in olive oil over medium-high heat until tender.  Add garlic and saute a bit longer.  Add ground beef or crumbles and brown evenly, breaking up any clumps with your spatula.  add salt (optional), pepper, garlic and onion powder and stir to distribute evenly.
2. Add vegetables, tomato puree, broth, thyme, oregano, cayenne and sriracha and bring to a simmer.  Cover and cook 15 minutes or so, stirring occasionally.  Consistency should be of a very thick stew, not too much liquid, yet saucy
3. Meanwhile, bring a pot of water with the cubed potatoes to a boil.  Cook for 15 minutes or more, until the cubes are cooked through and easily mashed with a fork.  Drain.  Using a fork or potato masher, combine and mash potatoes, butter, ground pepper, milk, and cheddar cheese.  Your choice whether to have it super smooth, but I prefer it more of a "country" mash.  
4. Preheat oven to 350 Farenheit.  Pour the beef mixture into a large baking dish (this makes a lot FYI, I use a deep ceramic roasting pan) and spread evenly around.  Sprinkle top with parmesan cheese.  Top with mashed potato mixture, spreading*carefully* so entire top is covered.  
5. Bake, uncovered for 30-45 minutes until mashed potato top turns a bit golden.  Serve!