Description
Hearty sweet potato shepherd’s pie delivers comfort in a single skillet, blending rustic Irish culinary traditions with modern home cooking. Savory ground lamb, rich vegetables, and creamy mashed sweet potato topping create a satisfying meal for family gatherings or quiet weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes
- 1 cup cooked lentils
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 medium onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- olive oil
- salt
- pepper
- thyme
- rosemary
Instructions
- Peel and chop sweet potatoes into uniform cubes, ensuring even cooking and texture.
- Boil sweet potato cubes in salted water for 15-20 minutes until they yield easily when pierced with a fork.
- Drain potatoes and return to pot, then mash thoroughly with butter and milk until creamy and smooth.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, creating a gentle sizzling environment.
- Add diced onions, carrots, and celery to the skillet, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and tender, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Introduce cooked lentils to the vegetable mixture, stirring to combine and distribute evenly.
- Pour vegetable broth into the skillet and sprinkle thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper for aromatic seasoning.
- Simmer the lentil mixture for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and liquid to reduce slightly.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), preparing a baking dish for assembly.
- Spread the seasoned lentil mixture as an even base layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Carefully spread the mashed sweet potatoes over the lentil layer, creating a smooth, consistent topping.
- Bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes until the sweet potato surface turns golden brown and edges become slightly crispy.
Notes
- Swap out butter for dairy-free alternatives like coconut oil or olive oil to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
- Use low-sodium vegetable broth to control salt intake and create a healthier version of the dish.
- For extra protein boost, consider adding crumbled tempeh or plant-based ground meat substitute alongside lentils.
- Roast vegetables before adding to the skillet to intensify their natural sweetness and create deeper flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg