Description
This Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie offers a delicious twist on the classic comfort dish by using creamy mashed sweet potatoes as a vibrant topping over a savory ground beef and vegetable filling. With wholesome ingredients and aromatic herbs, this recipe is perfect for a cozy family meal that’s both nutritious and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling:
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup white onions, chopped
- 1/2 cup carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, cleaned, stemmed, and sliced
- 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup homemade tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For the Mashed Sweet Potatoes:
- 6 cups sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the shepherd’s pie later.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the peeled, cubed sweet potatoes and cover. Boil for about 10 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Mash Sweet Potatoes: Drain the cooked sweet potatoes and return them to the pot. Add unsalted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mash everything together until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add onions, diced carrot, minced garlic, and sliced mushrooms. Cook for about 5 minutes until they soften and the aromas are released.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the extra-lean ground beef to the vegetables, breaking it up with a spoon. Stir in dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the beef is mostly browned.
- Add Tomato Sauce: Pour in the homemade tomato sauce, stirring to combine. Continue cooking for about 2 minutes. If the beef mixture looks dry, add a splash of water to help it cook through and remain moist.
- Assemble Shepherd’s Pie: Grease a baking dish and transfer the beef and vegetable filling into it. Evenly spread the mashed sweet potatoes on top using a rubber spatula. Optionally, use a fork to create ridges on the surface for a classic shepherd’s pie look.
- Bake: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the sweet potato topping is golden brown and slightly crispy on the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the filling to thicken and flavors to meld perfectly.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or any other ground meat for a different flavor profile.
- For a lower-carb or lighter option, swap the mashed sweet potatoes for cauliflower mash.
- If you don’t have a casserole dish, use a large cast-iron skillet to assemble and bake the shepherd’s pie.
- Let the pie rest a few minutes before serving to allow the filling to thicken and cool slightly.
- For best results, consider using a savory mashed sweet potatoes recipe to elevate the topping flavor.
- Store leftovers tightly wrapped in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
- This dish freezes well. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. For freezing the entire casserole, use a lightweight foil pan and ensure the dish cools to room temperature before freezing.
