Name: Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion, chopped; 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced; 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 1.25 pounds 93% lean ground beef (can use ground lamb or turkey); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 2 teaspoons dried parsley (or 2 tablespoons fresh); 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh); 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 1 tablespoon fresh); ¼ cup tomato paste; 1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (substitute gluten-free alternative to keep gluten free); 2 tablespoons flour; 1 cup unsalted beef stock or broth; 2 cups frozen peas and carrots; 2.5 pounds sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean (about 4 large potatoes); 4 tablespoons 2% milk; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1.25 pounds 93% lean ground beef (can use ground lamb or turkey)

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoons dried parsley (or 2 tablespoons fresh)

1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)

1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 1 tablespoon fresh)

¼ cup tomato paste

1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (substitute gluten-free flour to keep this recipe gluten free)

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup unsalted beef stock or broth

2 cups frozen peas and carrots

2.5 pounds sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean (about 4 large potatoes)

4 tablespoons 2% milk

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Step 2: To make the filling, heat the olive oil in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, sliced mushrooms, and garlic. Cook for 5-6 minutes until slightly softened.

Step 3: Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned. Stir in the salt, pepper, parsley, thyme, rosemary, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined.

Step 4: In a small bowl, mix the flour with the beef stock. Pour this mixture into the skillet and cook for a couple of minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in the frozen peas and carrots and cook for another few minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 5: Prepare the sweet potato topping by piercing the sweet potatoes all over with a fork. Microwave them on a plate for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through, until soft. Let them cool slightly.

Step 6: Cut the sweet potatoes in half and scoop out the flesh. Place the flesh in a food processor with the butter, milk, and salt. Purée until smooth, or mash by hand if you prefer.

Step 7: Spread the sweet potato topping evenly over the filling, covering the entire surface to the edges. If not using a cast iron skillet, transfer the filling to a casserole dish first.

Step 8: Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the filling is warm and the topping is lightly browned. Remove from oven and optionally garnish with herbs and sea salt. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

You can swap ground beef for ground turkey, lamb, or even veggie crumbles or lentils to make a vegetarian or vegan version.

For a gluten-free version, replace Worcestershire sauce with gluten-free alternatives and ensure the flour used is gluten-free.

Try adding chili powder and cumin for a Tex-Mex twist that pairs wonderfully with sweet potatoes.

If you don’t have a food processor, mashing the sweet potatoes with a fork or potato masher works perfectly.

Using fresh herbs can brighten the flavor, but dried herbs are a great pantry staple that work well.

Storage

This shepherd’s pie freezes well. Assemble in a 9×9-inch casserole dish, cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until hot. If baking from frozen, cover with foil for the first 30-40 minutes, then bake uncovered for another 20-30 minutes.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes! You can substitute the ground beef with veggie crumbles, lentils, or your favorite plant-based protein. Use vegan butter and nondairy milk to make it fully vegan.

How do I know when the sweet potatoes are cooked?

Pierce them with a fork; they should feel soft and tender all the way through. Microwaving for 8-10 minutes usually does the trick, turning halfway for even cooking.