A few hours before you plan to eat (or the night before)
Chop a large onion (or 2 small ones)
Mix with 1lb minced beef
Heat some oil in a saucepan, add beef and brown for five minutes or so. If there is a lot of fat, drain some off.
Add 1 can peeled tomatoes.
A good dollop of tomato sauce.
An oxo cube.
Half a cup of left over gravy, or make some with 2 tsp granules.
Salt and pepper.
Worcestershire sauce, if you have it.
Stir well.
Leave to simmer for 15 - 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Turn into a suitable ovenproof dish.
When it is cool, put in the fridge.
1 hour before eating:
Boil 4 or 5 large potatoes in salted water. I like Maris Piper.
When cooked (20 -25 minutes) drain very well, shake and cover pan with a clean tea towel to absorb the steam.
Put a large knob of butter into a cup with a slosh of milk. Warm in the microwave for about 5 minutes.
Mash the potatoes, add the milk and butter. Make sure there is enough salt.
Spoon over the minced beef mixture and cook in the oven - 180, for half an hour.
Serve with veg and gravy.
I also like to replace half the potatoes with swede, boiled and mashed together.
You can also add a finely chopped carrot or two to the mince.