Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato Mash

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato Mash

This hearty and wholesome Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie is perfect for a cosy family dinner. Made with protein-packed lentils, fresh veggies, and a cheesy sweet potato mash topping, it’s a healthier twist on the classic comfort food. Simple to prepare and loaded with flavour, it’s a dish that’s sure to impress vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

Ingredients

For the Lentil Filling:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 large carrots (500g), cut into 1cm chunks
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped (reserve some for garnish)
• 200ml red wine
• 400g chopped tomatoes (or 1 tin)
• 2 vegetable stock cubes
• 450g green lentils (soaked and cooked, or 1 tin with liquid)

For the Sweet Potato Mash:

• 1kg sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 50g butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Topping:

• 100g cheddar cheese, grated
• Reserved fresh thyme for garnish

Method

1. Prepare the Lentil Filling:

• Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until golden. Stir in garlic.
• Add the carrots and most of the thyme, reserving a bit for garnish. Cook for 2–3 minutes.
• Pour in the red wine, 150ml water, and chopped tomatoes. Crumble in the vegetable stock cubes and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and optional chilli.
• Add the green lentils along with their cooking liquid or tin liquid. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes until the carrots are tender but still have a bite, and the lentils are soft. Remove from heat and set aside.

2. Make the Sweet Potato Mash:

• Boil the sweet potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes or until soft. Drain and mash with butter. Season to taste.

3. Assemble the Pie:

• Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan) or gas mark 5.
• Spread the lentil mixture evenly into an ovenproof dish. Top with the sweet potato mash, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
• Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese and the remaining thyme over the top.

4. Bake:

• Bake for 20 minutes if cooking immediately or 40 minutes if chilled, until golden brown on top and heated through.

5. Serve:

• Serve hot and enjoy this comforting, nutritious meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Nutritious and Satisfying: Packed with protein-rich lentils and nutrient-dense sweet potatoes.
• Versatile: Perfect for meal prep—freeze for up to a month or refrigerate for 2 days before baking.
• Comfort Food Classic: A vegetarian take on a beloved dish, ideal for chilly nights.

Make this Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie part of your weekly dinner rotation. With its rich, flavourful filling and creamy sweet potato topping, it’s a healthy, comforting meal everyone will love. Give it a try today!