Italian Beef and Pork Shepherd’s Pie with Garlic Mashed Potato Topper

Ingredients

1 whole head garlic plus 3-4 cloves, chopped or sliced
EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling plus 1 tablespoon
2 1/2 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled and cubed
Salt
1/2 to 3/4 cup milk or half-n-half
3 tablespoons butter
1 large egg, beaten
1 1/2 cups grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Pepper, to taste
Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste

1 pound coarsely ground beef sirloin or sirloin tips cut by hand into 1/4- to 1/2-inch dice
2 tablespoons chopped rosemary
1 pound hot or sweet Italian sausage
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cubanelle pepper, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup dry red wine
2 cups beef stock

Yields: 4-6

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400ºF and cut off the top third of the whole head of garlic to expose cloves. Drizzle bulb with EVOO, wrap tightly in foil and roast to tender, 40-45 minutes.

Once garlic has been roasted, cover potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Salt water and cook to tender, 12-15 minutes. Drain potatoes and return to warm pot, add all of the roasted garlic and a half a cup of milk or half-n-half to start. Add butter and mash, stir in beaten egg, half of cheese, pepper and nutmeg, and mash to desired consistency. Add a splash more liquid if necessary, cover and reserve.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon EVOO, a turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. When oil smokes, pat beef dry and add beef to brown. Once very brown, season with salt, pepper and rosemary. Add sausage and brown, add onions, peppers and chopped or sliced garlic cloves. Stir in tomato paste, cook 1 minute, then stir in wine and reduce by half. Add stock and simmer to combine flavors and soften peppers and onions.

Transfer meat to a casserole dish, top with potatoes and remaining cheese. Bake 20-25 minutes until potatoes are brown and crispy at edges, garnish with parsley and serve.