Save A comforting, plant-based twist on the classic shepherds pie featuring hearty lentils and a creamy sweet potato mash topping.
I first made this veggie shepherds pie for a cozy Sunday dinner and was thrilled to see how quickly my family embraced this nutritious comfort food. Even the meat-lovers asked for seconds!
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes: 1.2 kg (2.5 lbs) peeled and cubed
- Olive oil or vegan butter: 2 tbsp
- Unsweetened non-dairy milk (or regular milk): 1/4 cup
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: To taste
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Onion: 1 large, finely diced
- Carrots: 2 diced
- Celery stalks: 2 diced
- Garlic: 3 cloves minced
- Lentils: 2 cups cooked brown or green lentils or 1 can, drained and rinsed
- Frozen peas: 1 cup
- Vegetable broth: 1 cup
- Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
- Soy sauce or tamari: 1 tbsp
- Dried thyme: 1 tsp
- Dried rosemary: 1 tsp
- Smoked paprika: 1/2 tsp
- Salt and black pepper: To taste
Instructions
- Preheat
- Set oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Cook sweet potatoes
- Boil sweet potatoes in salted water until tender 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
- Mash
- Add olive oil and milk mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Sauté vegetables
- Heat olive oil in skillet over medium add onion carrots celery. Sauté 6 to 8 minutes till soft.
- Add garlic
- Stir in garlic cook 1 minute.
- Lentil mixture
- Add lentils tomato paste thyme rosemary smoked paprika soy sauce and broth. Simmer 5 to 7 minutes stirring occasionally till thick.
- Add peas
- Stir in peas and cook 2 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble
- Spread lentil mixture in baking dish (about 9x13 inch). Top with sweet potato mash spreading gently to cover.
- Finish mash
- Create ridges in mash with fork. Drizzle olive oil for crispness.
- Bake
- Bake 15 to 20 minutes until golden top and bubbly filling.
- Rest
- Let rest a few minutes before serving.
Save This recipe always brings back memories of chilly nights gathered around the table with everyone digging into bubbling comforting food.
Required Tools
Large pot colander potato masher skillet baking dish mixing spoon knife and cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains soy from soy sauce use tamari for gluten-free. Always check labels for non-dairy alternatives.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 390 Total Fat 8 g Carbohydrates 68 g Protein 12 g
Save Serve warm and enjoy every hearty bite of this veggie shepherds pie. It's a crowd-pleaser even for weeknight dinners!
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I substitute sweet potatoes with regular potatoes?
Yes, regular potatoes can be used instead of sweet potatoes for a classic mash texture and flavor.
- → What lentils work best for the filling?
Brown or green lentils hold their shape well and provide a hearty texture suitable for this dish.
- → How can I make the mash creamier?
Adding olive oil or vegan butter along with milk (non-dairy or regular) and mashing thoroughly creates a smooth, creamy topping.
- → Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, when using gluten-free soy sauce alternatives like tamari and gluten-free vegetable broth, it suits a gluten-free diet.
- → Can I add extra vegetables to the filling?
Absolutely, chopped mushrooms or parsnips can be incorporated for additional flavor and texture.
- → How do I achieve a crispy top on the mash?
Drizzling olive oil over the mashed topping before baking helps develop a slightly golden, crisp finish.