1 deep dish pie crust, ready to bake (or make your own)
1 lb. ground beef
1 (10 oz.) can condensed vegetable soup (not ready to eat)
1 small red onion (I've used white and yellow onions they work well also.)
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup ketchup (I use Hunts)
1/2 cup (or less) shredded cheese (I use cheddar), for top
1 pkg. instant mashed potatoes (half a package is all you really need but for a thicker topping use whole package)
spices - go with your preference: I've used paprika, chili powder and basil

Brown ground beef. You can add spice to it if you like (I sometimes add chili powder or I will sprinkle some soy sauce in for flavor). Set beef aside.

Cut up onions and garlic (can be made without but I always use them) and throw into a mixing bowl. Add vegetable soup (do not add any water). Mix hamburger into the contents of bowl. Pour in about a 1/2 cup of ketchup. Add any spices you want, and mix. Fill pie crust with mixture (it should make it good and full).

Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes, open faced. Remove from oven, Sprinkle cheese over it. Return to oven for another 20 minutes.

While you are waiting for the pie to cook, make instant mashed potatoes (follow package instructions).

Remove pie, top with mashed potatoes (I like to sprinkle a bit of dry Lipton onion soup mix on top (the kind with the onion chunks) or you can sprinkle more cheese on top and some basil. Put back in oven for another 10 to 15 minutes to allow crust to brown a little.

Serve warm. Can be served alone. I like to serve it with coleslaw on the side.

Optional: I tried it once with stewed tomatoes, they are very good too. I would like to try it with mushroom soup and rice for a different twist. Great variety, allows you to use whatever you have on hand!

Submitted by: DLK