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!
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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
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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.
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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.
