New England Meat Pie

Photo: flickr user Wootang01

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef

2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce with onions

1 egg

1/4 cup dry bread crumbs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

1/2 teaspoon crushed thyme

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 (12 oz.) pkg. frozen hash browned potatoes, thawed

3 tablespoons oil

6 slices sliced American cheese, cut in ½" strips

Preparation

Combine beef, 2 tablespoons tomato sauce, egg, bread crumbs and salt. Shape into 1 inch meatballs. In skillet, lightly brown meatballs; drain fat. Stir in remaining tomato sauce, mixed vegetables, thyme and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.

Press potatoes over bottom of 10 x 6 x 2 inch baking dish. Drizzle with oil and place under broiler until lightly browned. Spoon meatball mixture over potatoes and arrange cheese strips in lattice pattern on top. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Serves 6.