Savory Sweet Potato Shepherds Pie (Printable)

A rich meat and vegetable filling crowned with creamy sweet potato mash for ultimate comfort.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sweet Potato Topping

01 - 1.5 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 1/4 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

→ Savory Filling

06 - 1 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 medium carrot, diced
10 - 1 celery stalk, diced
11 - 1 lb ground beef or lamb (or plant-based substitute)
12 - 1 cup frozen peas
13 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
14 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (or gluten-free alternative)
15 - 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
16 - 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
17 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Boil the sweet potatoes in salted water for 15–20 minutes, until fork-tender. Drain well.
03 - Mash the sweet potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté for 2–3 minutes.
05 - Add carrot and celery; cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
06 - Add ground beef or lamb; cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
07 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and broth. Simmer for 8–10 minutes until thickened.
08 - Stir in peas and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
09 - Spread the filling evenly in a 9-inch square baking dish. Spoon the mashed sweet potatoes over the filling, spreading to cover evenly.
10 - Bake for 20–25 minutes until the top is lightly golden and filling is bubbling.
11 - Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

# Tips from dashanddishes:

01 -
  • The natural sweetness of the potatoes balances the savory meat perfectly.
  • It sneaks extra vegetables into a meal that feels incredibly indulgent.
02 -
  • Make sure to drain the fat from the meat before adding the liquid so the filling is not greasy.
  • Letting the dish rest for five minutes out of the oven helps the layers set for easier serving.
03 -
  • A sprinkle of grated cheddar or parmesan on top of the potatoes takes the golden crust to the next level.
  • Use a fork to rough up the surface of the mash before baking for extra crispy peaks.

Return