Delicious Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie is a classic comfort food that promises to leave you feeling satisfied and nourished. This dish has been enjoyed for many generations and is still as popular today as it was when it was first created.
What sets this recipe apart from others is the use of sweet potatoes, also known as kumara, in the topping. Not only does this provide a healthier alternative to regular potatoes, but it also adds a deliciously sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the savory filling.
As someone who values real food made with wholesome ingredients, I can assure you that this Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie recipe ticks all the boxes. Made with lean ground beef or turkey (or even meatless options like lentils or black beans for vegans) and packed with fresh vegetables and herbs like onion, tomatoes with juice, and fresh parsley, this dish will fuel your body while satisfying your taste buds.
Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a crowd, this easy-to-make shepherd’s pie will impress guests with its presentation and flavorful filling. So grab your pots and pans and let’s start making this healthy and deliciously comforting Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re looking for a comforting and delicious meal, look no further than this Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie recipe. Made with healthy sweet potato topping and lean ground beef, this dish offers real food that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Firstly, let’s talk about the kumara or sweet potato topping. The soft sweetness of these vegetables perfectly complements the flavors of the savory shepherd pie filling. It offers a healthy alternative to traditional white potato toppings and provides an irresistible texture, especially when mixed with fresh parsley, grainy mustard or even Worcestershire sauce.
And, speaking of savory fillings, this recipe does not disappoint. Made with tender ground beef mixed with onion and tomatoes with juice, it is hearty and flavorful, providing you with that much-needed comfort food fix. This dish also has enough variety to appeal to everyone – from children to adults, meat lovers to vegetarians.
Moreover, this Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie recipe is incredibly versatile. While it tastes amazing as written in the recipe instructions, it can be easily adapted to suit your tastes or dietary needs by changing the type of protein used – try using ground turkey instead of beef or for a vegetarian option consider a black bean pie or a lentil or vegan shepherd’s pie. You can also mix up the vegetables added to the filling – adding in peas or carrots will elevate this dish into elevated status.
Plus, aside from its exceptional taste and versatility, this recipe is easy to make too. With clear instructions and helpful tips provided below regarding ingredient measuring suggestions and timing options, you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious meal in no time.
So if you’re looking for a tasty new addition to your weekly rotation of dinner recipes, give this Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie a shot. You won’t regret it!
Ingredient List
Here is a list of ingredients that you will need to create this mouthwatering Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie:
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or lean ground turkey for a healthier option)
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons grainy mustard
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Note that these ingredients are readily available at your local grocery store. Sweet potatoes, or kumara as they are commonly known in New Zealand and Australia, are a key element of this recipe, providing a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional mashed potato topping.
The Recipe How-To
Once you have all the ingredients ready to go, it’s time to start putting together this delicious sweet potato shepherd’s pie.
Step 1: Cook the Meat Mixture
First, preheat your oven to 400°F. Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until soft and translucent. Then, add the lean ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Next, mix in some Worcestershire sauce, grainy mustard, salt, and pepper. Add canned diced tomatoes with their juice and let everything simmer for about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare Sweet Potato Topping
While the meat is cooking, you can peel and cut your sweet potatoes into bite-size pieces. Once done, place them in a pot of boiling water and cook until tender for around 10-15 minutes.
When the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, mash them with skim milk, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley until everything turns into a beautiful orange mash.
Step 3: Assemble the Pie
Now it’s time to start assembling your shepherd’s pie. Spoon meat mixture into an oven-safe baking dish then spread the mashed sweet potato mixture evenly over the top of the meat mixture with a spatula or spoon.
Bake in your preheated oven for around 25-30 minutes or until the sweet potato topping is lightly browned on top.
Step 4: Serve!
Remove the sweet potato shepherd’s pie from oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.
Grab a plate and scoop yourself up a hefty portion of this savory cassoulet; trust me, you won’t be able to get enough!
Substitutions and Variations
Are you looking to switch things up with your Shepherd’s Pie recipe? Luckily, this dish is versatile and allows for many substitutions and variations.
For those who prefer a different taste or want to opt for a vegetarian option, you could swap the ground beef for lentils or black beans. The result will be an earthy, fiber-filled dish that’s just as hearty and delicious.
Another substitution to consider is swapping the sweet potatoes for kumara, also known as purple sweet potatoes. This will provide a slightly different flavor and a vibrant pop of color to the dish. Additionally, if you want to make it even healthier, you could try using ground turkey instead of beef or adding more vegetables like celery or carrots.
For those who enjoy experimenting with the toppings, mashed cauliflower or parsnips make great additions to the sweet potato topping. You could also mix in some fresh herbs like chives or even shredded cheese to add some extra flavor.
If you have leftovers, consider making individual shepherd’s pies with pie crust on top for a unique spin on classic pot pies. This selection of variations and substitutions will provide plenty of options for you to customize your own version of this comforting and delicious dish.
Serving and Pairing
The Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie is a hearty comfort food and perfect for a weeknight dinner. You can serve it hot straight out of the oven or let it cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting into slices. I recommend serving a slice of the pie with some fresh parsley or chives sprinkled on top and a side of fresh salad greens, such as arugula or spinach.
For pairing, you can serve this dish with a glass of red wine, such as cabernet sauvignon, merlot or zinfandel, or keep it non-alcoholic with a refreshing glass of iced tea or lemonade. If you prefer to have a beer, choose brown ale or stouts such as Guinness, which will complement the dish’s savory flavor.
For an extra kick, you can add some spicy heat to your Shepherd’s Pie by serving it with some hot sauce on the side. It will enhance both the taste and experience of this deliciously filling pie.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
This Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie is perfect for meal prep and making ahead. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days, or frozen for longer. When reheating, make sure to cover with foil and bake at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
For those who are tight on time during the week, preparing this dish in advance can save you precious minutes without sacrificing flavor. Simply assemble the shepherd’s pie and store it in an airtight container. You can refrigerate it for up to three days, or freeze it for longer periods of time.
When it comes to reheating leftovers, microwave or oven-proof containers work best. Take a slice out of the fridge and warm it up in the microwave for two to three minutes, or reheat it in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes to get that ideal texture.
While this dish is convenient to make ahead of time, you must be aware of some essential things when storing and reheating this recipe. To prevent bacteria from growing, reach a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 C) when reheating your dish.
In conclusion, this dish is perfect for those who want real food comforts with ease by cooking a healthy shepherd’s pie that doesn’t skimp on cravings. It is also ideal if you’re looking for meals that prepped and stashed in the fridge while maintaining its quality taste.
Tips for Perfect Results
Now that you know how to make a Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie, let me share some tips on how to ensure perfect results every time.
First and foremost, when making the sweet potato topping for the pie, try to mash the potatoes as smoothly as possible. The smoother the texture, the creamier and more delicious the pie will be. I suggest using a potato masher or even an immersion blender to achieve this.
Next, when browning the ground beef or turkey, make sure to drain off any excess fat before adding in the onions and other ingredients. This not only helps to reduce the amount of fat in the dish, but also prevents it from becoming too oily or greasy.
In terms of seasoning, don’t be afraid to adjust according to your taste preferences. Add more salt or pepper as needed, or even experiment with different herbs and spices such as thyme or rosemary for added flavor.
When assembling the pie, make sure to spread the meat filling evenly across the bottom of your baking dish. This ensures that each serving has a balanced amount of meat and sweet potato topping.
Lastly, always let the pie cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows for all of the flavors to meld together and for the sweet potato topping to set properly.
By following these tips and tricks, you are guaranteed a deliciously satisfying Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie every time. Enjoy!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this sweet potato shepherd’s pie recipe is a must-try for anyone looking for a delicious and healthy comfort food option. With its hearty blend of ground beef, sweet potatoes, and flavorful seasonings, this dish is sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Plus, with easy-to-find ingredients that are simple to prepare, this recipe could easily become a staple in any kitchen.
Whether you’re looking for a hearty dinner for your family or a dish to impress your friends and guests at a potluck, this recipe is sure to please. So what are you waiting for? Don’t take my word for it, give it a try yourself today! With its deliciously savory flavors and healthy twists on traditional shepherd’s pie ingredients, this recipe is truly a winner in my book.
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g ground beef
- 1 large onion
- vegetables (of your choice, celery,mushrooms,green beans, carrots)
- 1 (400 g) can tomatoes with juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon grainy mustard
- 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
- salt and pepper
- 6 kumara or 6 sweet potatoes, mashed with little bit of butter and milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200C degrees.
- Heat non stick pan, add a little water and saute mince and onion until mince is lightly browned.
- Add vegetables, tomatoes and juice, worcestershire sauce, mustard, parsley and salt and pepper.
- Place mixture into ovenproof dish and top with mashed sweet potato.
- Bake at 200 for about 20 minutes.
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Steven is a chef by heritage, so it’s no wonder why baking is such a big part of who he is. To share his passion for all things sweet, he created cookiesncrepes.com. It’s the perfect platform to indulge in delicious treats, all with a sprinkle of his signature flare.