Vegan Shepherd's Pie

5 from 1 vote

Vegan Shepherd's Pie is such a comforting and healthy dinner. There's a twist to the recipe with mashed sweet potatoes on the top

Course Dinner

Cuisine American, Vegan

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings Servings

Calories 322kcal

Author Ginny McMeans

5 cups 4 sweet potatoes, diced
water
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon neutral-flavored oil - such as avocado or grapeseed
1 cup 1 medium onion, diced
1 tablespoon 2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups 2 carrots, chopped
8 ounces cremini mushrooms (or white button mushrooms), chopped
30 ounces 2 (15-ounce) cans brown lentils, drained and rinsed
15 ounces 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried thyme
¼ cup Homemade Vegetable Stock (see page 20 in cookbook) or store-bought vegetable stock
⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Preheat your oven to 400°F and have a 9-by-13-inch casserole or baking dish ready.
Place the sweet potatoes in a large stockpot with enough water to cover them plus two inches. Add a pinch of sea salt to the water and bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
While the sweet potatoes are cooking, prepare the filling. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until it has softened and begun to brown slightly.
Add the garlic, carrots, and mushrooms to the pan and continue to cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.
Mix in the lentils, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and thyme. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the mixture into the 9-by-13-inch casserole dish.
Drain the sweet potatoes and then return them to the pot. Use a potato masher or large fork to mash the vegetables. Add the Homemade Vegetable Stock and mash a little more. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
Carefully spread the mashed sweet potatoes over the top of the lentil mixture. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the sweet potato crust has browned slightly and the filling is bubbly.

Substitution tip:

Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes (pg. 106 of the cookbook) can be used as the crust instead of the potatoes.

Also use the Homemade Vegetable Stock or water in place of the neutral-flavored oil.