Easy Shepherd's Pie

My husband runs up and down the road a lot so he's constantly in and out of fast food restaurants. He loves just about everything I cook - rarely have I made something he's turned away! One time, he made the comment that he loved Shepherd's Pie. I searched for that perfect Shepherd's Pie recipe, just as he described and found it in a Kraft Foods magazine. He now enjoys Shepherd's Pie in the comfort of his own home!

1 lb ground beef
2 c hot mashed potatoes
4 oz cream cheese, cubed
1 c shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
4 c frozen mixed vegetables, thawed (I cook my veggies in a little water until tender, but you don't have to!)
1 c beef gravy

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brown meat in large skillet until done - drain. In a medium bowl, mix potatoes, cream cheese & 1/2 c shredded cheese until well blended. (May add salt, pepper & minced garlic for added flavor!) Add vegetables & beef gravy to ground beef - mix together. Spoon meat mixture into 9x13 baking dish. Cover with potato mixture. (Does not have to be perfectly spread!) Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 c shredded cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through.