Cheater Shepherd's Pie with Low Glycemic Carb Option

Tonight I'm experimenting with Shepherd's Pie, and ways of cutting dairy and soy out of it.  Also, for those who are trying to eat healthier I did 1/2 with a potato based to topping and  1/2 with a bean based one.

For the filling:

1 lb ground beef (We use grass fed.  If you use corn fed, you might reduce th the thyme)
1 onion diced
1 tsp thyme
1 can peas and carrots
1 cup beef broth

Brown beef and onion till done.  Add remaining ingredients.  Spray 2 bread pans with olive oil (I used a misto).  Split the filling between the two pans.

For traditional topping:
Make 4 servings of boxed mashed potatoes substituting lard for margarine and beef broth for milk.  Put on top of one pan of filling and spread evenly.

For low Glycemic carb topping:
2 cups cooked pinto beans
1/4 cup lard
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup beef broth

Melt lard on the stove.  Put all topping ingredients in food processor and process until the consistency of mashed potatoes.  Put on top of the other pan of filling and spread evenly.

Baking instructions:

Bake at 350 F for 20 min.