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.
Classic Shepherds Pie is traditionally made with lamb. A great other option would be to use lean ground meat. But for our super healthy and leaner option, this healthy shepherd’s pie recipe is made with lean ground turkey, peas, a variety of spices and then topped with a layer of fluffy mashed sweet potatoes. This meal is specially made during St. Patricks but can be enjoyed all year long!
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 potatoes 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!
WHAT IS SHEPHERD’S PIE
Shepherd’s pie is an Irish dish made with ground lamb, tomato sauce base or broth, veggies like peas and carrots, and a crust of mashed potatoes. It is sometimes topped with a layer of cheese. Shepherd’s pie is also referred to as cottage pie when ground beef is used instead of lamb. There are many variations of this recipe.
CAN YOU FREEZE SHEPHERD’S PIE
You can freeze already cooked and baked shepherds pie or make ahead and right before you bake, you can freeze it until the day you are ready to serve it. Wrap it tightly to prevent freezer burns. Freeze for up to one month. Simply remove from the freezer a day before and allow it to thaw. Then place in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes.
WHAT TEMPERATURE TO COOK SHEPHERD’S PIE
It is best to cook your shepherd’s pie in the oven. Baking your shepherd’s pie anywhere between 350-400 F would be an ideal temperature.
CAN YOU REHEAT SHEPHERD’S PIE
Two ways to reheat shepherd’s pie. You may either reheat individual servings in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Or you may reheat it in the oven by baking it again at about 350 F for about 20-25 minutes.
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! In fact, if you want to make this low carb, replace the sweet potato layer with this Cauliflower Mash.
We would love to hear from you. Making this Easy Sweet potato Shepherd’s pie? Leave us a review and don’t forget to share it!
Love sweet potatoes? We have some amazing sweet potato recipes for you to try:
- Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Smoked Sweet Potatoes
- Pumpkin Spice Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Breakfast Skillet Recipe
Remember to subscribe to my NEWSLETTER for free and receive recipes like this Healthy Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie Recipe delivered right to your inbox!
Finally, if you try a recipe and you like it, please use my hashtag #healthyfitnessmeals on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured! FOLLOW Healthy Fitness Meals on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER for all of my latest blog posts and recipes.
Healthy Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Sweet Potatoes peeled and chopped
- ½ Tsp Italian Seasoning Blend
- Sea salt and pepper, to taste
The Filling:
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion diced
- 1½ lbs Lean Turkey Meat
- 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
- 3-4 Garlic Cloves minced
- ½ Tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 Tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 Cup Chicken or Beef Broth
- 1 Cup Frozen Peas or any other veggies like corn, carrots, defrosted
Instructions
- 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 until the liquid is reduced, then stir in the peas.
- Spread the meat mixture into a 2-quart baking dish. Add mashed potatoes 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!
Video
Notes
- White potatoes will work well instead of sweet potatoes
- Consider using lean ground beef or ground chicken
- Any broth will work
Tina Moore says
How much salt would be a happy medium for the sweet potatoes? 1/2 tsp? 1 tsp?
Thanks!
Rena Awada says
would say 1 tsp for that amount
Tasha says
I just made this for dinner tonight. It was delicious! I don’t know how I stumbled across your website, but I’m gonna go check out some of your other recipes now.
Claudia Enriquez says
I have made it twice alreadyy, excellent recipe, tasty, healthy and economical…we loved it!
Rena says
Thank you
Claudia Enriquez says
Excellent recipe, tasty, healthy and economical…we loved it!
Rena says
Glad you did
DP says
Did this vegetarian style with impossible meat, veggie broth, and corn/peas mix. Added a little butter to the sweet potato mash, and some cayenne to the meat mixture. Great combo.
Rena says
Sounds awesome. Thanks for the feedback
Pamela says
I’ve made this recipe and different variations about 5 times now! Its my new favourite healthy/savory/comfort meal. I use the basic directions and recipe but add in things like hot sauce, jalapenos, corn, mushrooms, chili powder, and Worcestershire depending on whats in my fridge and pantry. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Rena says
Nice. Thanks for the feedback
Marcie says
Not keen on the flavors in this recipe. Definitely not a traditional Shepherd’s Pie flavor. Too smoky and somewhat flavorless other than the sweet potatoes.
Rose says
Made this with ground venison for our church’s wild game supper! Loved being able to offer a gluten free/dairy free dish! Thanks for the recipe!
Rena says
Perfect.
Ashleigh Laurence says
Such a simple and easy recipe, easy to swap out for plant based mince and add some carrot and mushrooms in there too!
Jackie A. says
Very delicious! My family finished it in one night haha! I didn’t have turkey so I used ground beef instead
Rena says
Ground beef works just as good! Yummy. Thanks for the feedback.
Sara says
It was a great alternative to a traditional Shepard’s pie. I’ve always done it with sweet potatoes but the seasonings were a welcome change to how I’ve been doing it! Delish!
Rena says
Thanks!
Lily Romano says
Delicious!
Rena says
Thank you!
Eden says
I’ve made this dish twice and we love it. Question, what do you suggest for a side dish? We can’t figure it out. Thanks!
Eden
Rena says
Thanks for the feedback, Eden. Glad you loved it.
Nat says
A big salad is what I do! I think of Shepherds pie like lasagna!
Shannon says
I made this tonight and it was a huge hit!! My question is, on the nutritional value, is that per serving or in a whole?
Rena says
Glad you loved it. It is per serving.
Jessica S says
I loved making this and thought it was such a pleasant taste and shift from a traditional recipe. Would definitely make this again!
Rena says
Thanks for the feedback
Tita Abdullah says
Love the recipe! to lower the carbs i mixed it with carrots and sweet potato and they worked wonders!
Thank you so much for this! The flavours are amazing!
Rena says
That sounds very smart. Thanks for the suggestion
Ruthie Cason says
Love this idea!!
Nicole says
Can you make this with squash?
Rena says
Yes. The taste will vary slightly but will still work.