Spoon Simple
Hearty Lentil and Vegetable Shepherd's Pie
A comforting and wholesome vegetarian twist on a classic, featuring a rich lentil and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed sweet potatoes. This satisfying dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner.
Prep 25 min
Cook 45 min
Total 1h 10m
Serves 6
Ingredients
Step 1 — For the Lentil Filling
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas
Step 2 — For the Sweet Potato Topping
- 2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter or olive oil
- 1/4 cup milk or plant-based milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1
Cook Sweet Potatoes
Place cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until very tender. Drain well.
- 2
Sauté Vegetables
While sweet potatoes cook, heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- 3
Simmer Lentils
Add rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until lentils are tender and liquid has mostly thickened. Stir in frozen peas during the last 5 minutes.
- 4
Mash Sweet Potatoes
Mash the drained sweet potatoes with butter (or olive oil), milk, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Add more milk if needed for desired consistency.
- 5
Assemble and Bake
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the lentil filling evenly in the skillet (if not oven-safe, transfer to a baking dish). Top evenly with the mashed sweet potato mixture, spreading it gently.
- 6
Bake
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden and the filling is bubbly around the edges.
Nutrition per serving: 520 cal · 20g protein · 75g carbs · 15g fat · 18g fiber
For informational purposes only. Not medical or dietary advice. Verify ingredients for allergens, cooking times, and safe internal temperatures before serving.
