Healthy Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

This Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie recipe is healthy, easy to make, and so scrumptious. The perfect fall recipe and the ultimate comfort food that can be on your dinner table in no time.

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Classic Shepherd’s Pie is traditionally made with lamb meat. Another great option would be to use lean ground meat instead of lamb. But for our super healthy and leaner option, this healthy shepherd’s pie recipe is made with lean ground turkey, peas, and a variety of spices and then topped with a layer of fluffy mashed sweet potatoes. This dish is gluten-free and is an ultimate comfort food that is specially made during St. Patrick’s but can be enjoyed all year long!

Want to make a vegetarian version of Shepherd’s pie? Then check my Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie recipe.

Why I love this dish

• Filling: This shepherd’s pie is so filling and a well rounded meal with lean protein and fiber to keep you full and satisfied for a while.
• Delicious: Super tasty and packed with warm spiced flavors to awaken your taste buds. ts one of those meals that you make that has its unique taste that you crave after you wait a while to remake.
• Healthy: This shepherd’s pie is made healthier by using lean ground turkey and sweet potatoes as the topping instead of regular potatoes. This dish is perfect for those who meal prep too.
• Easy to make: Don’t overthink this dish. It is really not that hard to make. The final product is just so rewarding and works great as leftovers so you can enjoy it for a few days.

Ingredients you will need

• Sweet Potatoes peeled and chopped. Not sure how? Checkout this post on How to Cut sweet potatoes.
• Italian Seasoning Blend: if you don’t have any you can make a homemade Italian Seasoning.
• Kosher Salt or Sea salt and pepper, to taste
• Olive Oil: you may also use avocado oil or whatever oil you normally cook with.
• Medium Yellow Onion: you may also use white sweet onions
• Lean Ground Turkey Meat: don’t like turkey? use lean ground meat.
• Tomato Paste: or use tomato sauce
• Garlic Cloves: do use fresh garlic cloves instead of garlic powder for the best flavor.
• Dried Oregano: fresh would be even better.
• Smoked Paprika: don’t have smoked? use any paprika you have on hand. But I love smoked.
• Chicken or Beef Broth/stock. Either one will work
• Frozen Peas or any other veggies like corn, carrots, defrosted

HOW TO MAKE SHEPHERD’S PIE

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the sweet potatoes in a large saucepan with just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender about 10 minutes.

Drain and mash, then season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning blend.

Heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Sauté the onions for 3-4 minutes, then stir in the garlic and cook for a minute or so. Add the ground meat and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until the meat is cooked through.

Stir in the tomato paste, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper, and broth.

Simmer for a few minutes then stir in the peas or any other veggies you would like to use. Spread the meat mixture into a 2-quart baking dish. Add mashed sweet potato mixture on top and spread it evenly all the way to the sides.

Bake until the potatoes are just starting to brown, about 25-30 minutes. Rest, then serve and enjoy!

Recipe notes and Tips

• Don’t like sweet potatoes? Use regular potatoes like Gold potatoes. You can even make a low-carb version by blending cooked cauliflower. That will act just like any potato.
• You can cook in a cast iron skillet instead of a baking casserole dish.
• Swap the veggies: if you don’t like peas, use any veggies of your choice. Chopped green beans would be another great option.
• Mash your potatoes using a potato masher, a food processor or simply use a form by hand.

Frequently asked questions

HOW TO LAYER SHEPHERD’S PIE

Layering is simple. You need the bottom layer to be the meat and veggie filling, then top that with a layer of whatever potato you are using. Top layer options: mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, or cauliflower mash for a low-carb option! If you want to make this low-carb, replace the sweet potato layer with this Cauliflower Mash.

Storing and Reheating

• Storing: Store leftover sweet potato shepherd pie in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Shepherd’s pie is freezer-freiendly. You can also place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: You can reheat leftovers two ways. Either reheat individual servings of your shepherd’s pie in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until it is heated through, or you may reheat it in the oven by baking it again at about 350 F for about 20 minutes.

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