Mediterranean Cottage Pie

Prep Time: 35 min Cook Time: 45 min
Servings: 6 Skill Level: easy

Classic comfort food made Mediterranean! The addition of hot Italian sausage, zaatar, and of course Pearls or Early California Simply Olives adds a flavorful kick to this dish.

Ingredients

1 ½ lbs russet potatoes

3 Tablespoons butter

½ cup milk

2 teaspoons salt, divided

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1/2 lb ground beef

1/2 lb hot Italian sausage

1 small yellow onion, diced

2 stalks of celery, diced

½ cup butternut squash, diced

1 can Pearls or Early California Simply Olives, drained and roughly chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon zaatar

1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour

½ cup beef broth

1 14oz can crushed tomatoes

1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Peel and cube your potatoes and boil them until fork tender. Drain. Add 3 Tablespoons butter, milk and ½ teaspoon salt. Mash until smooth. Set aside.
  3. In a 10-inch oven safe skillet heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil. Add ground beef and Italian sausage and cook until fully browned. Drain.
  4. Return the pan to heat and add onion, celery, butternut squash, olives, and garlic. Cook for about 3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften. Add remaining salt, zaatar, and flour. Stir to combine. Add beef broth and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
  5. Stir in chopped spinach.
  6. Carefully spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the skillet. Place skillet on a baking sheet (it may bubble over!) and bake for 40 minutes.
  7. To get a golden brown crust, broil for 5 minutes to finish.

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