Print

Comforting Turkey Shepherds Pie with Sweet Potato Mash

turkey shepherds pie with sweet potato mash - featured image
Print Recipe

A hearty and lighter twist on classic shepherd’s pie featuring a savory ground turkey filling topped with creamy sweet potato mash. Perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground turkey (lean, 93% lean recommended)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (150g) carrots, diced
  • 1 cup (150g) frozen peas
  • 1 cup (240ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or unsalted butter for sautéing
  • 2 large sweet potatoes (about 1.5 lbs / 700g), peeled and chopped
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter (or plant-based alternative)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) milk or cream (use dairy-free milk if preferred)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of ground nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sweet Potato Mash: Place peeled and chopped sweet potatoes in a large pot. Cover with cold water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender when poked with a fork. Drain well.
  2. Mash the Sweet Potatoes: Return drained potatoes to the pot or a mixing bowl. Add butter, milk (or cream), salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg. Mash until smooth and creamy. Set aside while you prepare the filling. If it cools down, you can gently warm it later.
  3. Cook the Turkey Filling: Heat olive oil or butter in the sauté pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Add ground turkey to the pan, breaking it up with your spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary as you go.
  5. Add Vegetables and Sauce: Stir in diced carrots and cook for 4-5 minutes until slightly softened. Mix in tomato paste and chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the pan bottom. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, until sauce thickens slightly. Stir in frozen peas last, cooking for another 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Assemble the Pie: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spoon the turkey filling evenly into your baking dish. Spread the sweet potato mash over the filling in an even layer. For a golden finish, you can rough up the surface with a fork to create little peaks that brown nicely.
  7. Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top is lightly golden and the filling is bubbly around the edges.
  8. Rest and Serve: Let the shepherd’s pie rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to set slightly. This helps with cleaner serving and lets all those flavors settle in.

Notes

If the filling is too runny before baking, simmer uncovered longer to reduce liquid. Rest the pie 5-10 minutes after baking for easier serving. Cover loosely with foil if the topping browns too quickly. Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes covered with foil for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey shepherd's pie, sweet potato mash, comfort food, ground turkey recipe, easy weeknight dinner, healthy shepherd's pie

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/comforting-turkey-shepherds-pie-with-sweet-potato-mash-recipe/