Ingredients
For The Shepherd’s Pie Filling:
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 small green pepper, diced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, cleaned and stemmed, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 ounces tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary or dried herb of choice
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
For The Sweet Potato Topping:
- 2 large sweet potatoes (about 12 ounces each), peeled and cubed (~6 cups cubed)
- 1 tablespoon butter (may substitute ghee or coconut oil for Whole30)
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃) to prepare for finishing the shepherd's pie with the sweet potato topping.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Place peeled and diced sweet potatoes in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam until tender, about 15 minutes. Alternatively, bake whole sweet potatoes fork-tender for 45 to 60 minutes. This cooking will soften them for mashing.
- Sauté Filling Ingredients: In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, sauté ground beef or lamb along with diced carrots, green pepper, onion, mushrooms, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are soft and the meat is browned, about 12-15 minutes.
- Prepare Sweet Potato Topping: While the filling cooks, place the cooked sweet potatoes in a food processor along with butter, chili powder, and salt. Process until smooth and creamy. If using white potatoes, mash by hand to avoid pastiness.
- Season Filling: Stir tomato paste, chili powder, dried rosemary, salt, black pepper, and water into the cooked meat and vegetable mixture. Mix thoroughly and let the flavors combine.
- Assemble Shepherd’s Pie: If cooking in an oven-safe 10-inch cast iron skillet, keep the meat mixture there. Otherwise, transfer the meat filling into a casserole or 9×9 inch baking dish. Spoon the sweet potato mash evenly over the filling. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and additional chili powder for extra flavor.
- Bake: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm. Enjoy your nutritious and comforting Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie!
Notes
- The recipe works well with either ground beef or lamb depending on preference.
- For Whole30 compliance, substitute butter with ghee or coconut oil.
- If you prefer, regular potatoes can replace sweet potatoes; however, mash them by hand to avoid overly sticky texture.
- This dish freezes well—double the recipe to keep a portion for later meals.
- Making the pie in a cast-iron skillet allows for cooking and baking in one dish, simplifying cleanup.
- Adjust chili powder quantity based on your preferred spice level.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes + 10 minutes baking
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
