2 pounds ground chuck
2/3 cup chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds potatoes, peeled
4 pounds butter
2 carrots, sliced
2 ounces (about 2 1/2 tablespoons) beef base
1 cup water
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Saute beef, onion, celery and garlic in a large pan until well done. Strain off fat. Boil potatoes until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and mash with butter. Blanch carrots and add to beef mixture. Make a gravy with beef base and water. Whisk in enough flour to thicken, about 2 tablespoons. When gravy comes to a boil, add beef=carrot mixture, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Spoon meat mixture into a 2-quart casserole. Spoon potatoes on top. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Top with cheese and let sit until cheese melts from the radiated heat. about 5 minutes.