Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Nothing beats a cozy shepherd’s pie that makes your whole house smell amazing! Families absolutely love this hearty dish because it transforms simple ingredients into pure comfort food magic. Plus, the gorgeous sweet potato topping makes it naturally gluten-free and packed with vitamins.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 50 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes, Serves: 6 people.

Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free, Healthy Pregnancy, Soy-Free, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 374 Calories, 14g Fat, 42g Carbs, 21g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Sweet potatoes: You’ll need 2 pounds peeled and chopped, which gives you about 6 cups. These orange beauties make the most gorgeous and nutritious topping!

Reduced-fat sour cream: Just ½ cup adds that perfect creamy richness to your sweet potato mash. It makes everything so smooth and delicious.

Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons gives your sweet potatoes that rich, buttery flavor we all crave. Don’t skip this little luxury!

Salt: ½ teaspoon total, but you’ll divide it up throughout the recipe. This really makes all the flavors pop.

Cornstarch: 2 teaspoons work magic to thicken your sauce perfectly. Plus, it keeps this recipe gluten-free!

Unsalted beef broth: 1 cup adds so much savory depth to the filling. It’s like a warm hug in liquid form.

Lean ground beef: 1 pound gives you all that hearty, satisfying protein. Go for the lean stuff so it’s not greasy.

Carrots: 2 medium ones, sliced into pretty half-moons. They add sweetness and that perfect tender bite.

Yellow onion: 1 medium chopped onion builds the flavor foundation. White onions work great too if that’s what you have!

Garlic: 3 medium cloves finely chopped because garlic makes everything better. Fresh is best here.

Tomato paste: 2 tablespoons of the no-salt-added kind adds rich, deep tomato flavor. It’s like concentrated sunshine!

Fresh mixed herbs: 1 tablespoon of rosemary, sage, and thyme finely chopped. These make your kitchen smell like heaven.

Frozen peas: 1½ cups add that pop of color and sweetness. No need to thaw them first!

Worcestershire sauce: 1 tablespoon brings that secret umami flavor that makes people ask “what’s in this?”

Ground pepper: ¾ teaspoon adds the perfect amount of warmth and spice.

How to Make Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Put those sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium heat. Let them simmer undisturbed for 10 to 12 minutes until fork-tender.

Step 2: Drain the sweet potatoes really well and put them back in the pan. Cook them over low heat, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes until all the water evaporates. This step prevents soggy shepherd’s pie! Remove from heat and mash until mostly smooth. Stir in sour cream, butter, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Set this gorgeous mixture aside.

Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and beef broth until smooth. Set this aside too.

Step 4: Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and let it cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes until nicely browned on the bottom. Then stir and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for another 3 minutes until no pink remains.

Step 5: Add carrots, onion, and garlic to the beef. Cook, stirring often, for about 6 minutes until the veggies start to soften. Your kitchen will smell amazing right about now!

Step 6: Stir in tomato paste and herbs. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Give that cornstarch mixture another whisk and add it to the skillet along with peas, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, for 2 to 3 minutes until everything thickens up nicely.

Step 7: Remove from heat and evenly spread your beautiful sweet potato mixture over the beef. Use a spoon to make decorative swirls on top – this is the fun part! Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the topping is hot and gorgeous.

Easy and Quick Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie Version

Want to save some time? You can totally use 3 cups of pre-made mashed sweet potatoes from the store! Just warm them up and stir in the sour cream, butter, and salt. Also, grab a bag of frozen mixed vegetables instead of chopping fresh carrots – use about 2 cups. This cuts your prep time down to just 30 minutes!

Serving Ideas

This hearty shepherd’s pie is pretty much a complete meal all by itself! But if you want to add some green, try steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or sautéed spinach on the side. A simple mixed green salad with vinaigrette rounds everything out perfectly.

Storage

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes, but the oven keeps that lovely texture better.

Substitutions

No fresh herbs? Use 1 teaspoon of mixed dried rosemary, sage, and thyme instead. Want to swap the ground beef for ground turkey? Go for it! The nutrition is pretty similar either way. You can even use a plant-based ground meat substitute if you prefer.

Pro Tips

• Prevent sogginess: Really take time to cook out all that water from the sweet potatoes. This one step makes all the difference!
• Get the best flavor: Don’t rush browning the beef. Let it sit undisturbed for those first 4 minutes to develop amazing flavor.
• Make it pretty: Those decorative swirls on top aren’t just for looks – they create more surface area that gets beautifully golden.
• Plan ahead: This dish tastes even better the next day, so don’t worry about making it ahead of time.

FAQs

Are sweet potatoes healthy?

You bet they are! Sweet potatoes are jam-packed with vitamin A and also provide protein, fiber, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. They’re considered a low-glycemic food too, so they won’t spike your blood sugar. Not bad for a veggie with “sweet” in its name!

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Because we use cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the filling, this recipe is completely gluten-free. Perfect for anyone avoiding gluten.

Are peas healthy?

Absolutely! One cup of peas is packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals – including almost a whole day’s worth of vitamin C. They’re little green powerhouses!

Can I replace the ground beef with ground turkey?

Sure! But here’s the thing – there isn’t a huge nutritional difference between 93% ground beef and 93% ground turkey. Ground turkey actually has slightly more total fat and cholesterol, while ground beef has a bit more saturated fat and protein. Both are great choices!

Can I make this recipe ahead?

Absolutely! You can bake the whole shepherd’s pie ahead of time, let it cool completely, and refrigerate it for up to three days. Just reheat when you’re ready to eat.

Why is my shepherd’s pie soggy?

The key is in that sweet potato prep! After you simmer them, make sure to drain them really well and cook them over low heat until all the water evaporates. This removes excess moisture and keeps everything perfectly textured.

I’d love to hear how your Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie turns out! Drop a comment and let me know if you tried any fun variations. There’s nothing better than sharing good food stories with fellow home cooks!