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Cozy Shepherds Pie with Sweet Potato Topping

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A comforting shepherd’s pie featuring a savory meat and vegetable filling topped with creamy, naturally sweet mashed sweet potatoes. Perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground beef or lamb
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (150g) frozen peas and carrots mix (or fresh if in season)
  • 1 cup (240ml) beef or vegetable broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or unsalted butter for sautéing
  • 3 large sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs / 900g), peeled and chopped
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup (60ml) milk or cream (dairy-free milk optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: A pinch of ground nutmeg or cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place peeled and chopped sweet potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain well.
  3. While hot, mash the sweet potatoes with butter and milk until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon if using. Set aside.
  4. Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
  5. Add ground beef or lamb, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  6. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, peas and carrots, broth, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until mixture thickens and flavors meld.
  7. Transfer the meat mixture to an oven-safe baking dish, spreading evenly. Spoon the sweet potato mash over the top, smoothing it out with a spatula or fork.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the topping browns lightly and the filling bubbles around the edges.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

To avoid over-mashing sweet potatoes and getting a gluey texture, leave a bit of texture in the mash. Use unsalted butter to better control seasoning. Brown the meat thoroughly before adding liquids for deeper flavor. If topping browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking. For a crispier topping, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching carefully. Leftovers reheat well in oven or microwave; add a splash of milk when reheating frozen leftovers to keep topping creamy.

Nutrition

Keywords: shepherd's pie, sweet potato topping, comfort food, easy dinner, ground beef, ground lamb, cozy meal, gluten-free, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/cozy-shepherds-pie-with-sweet-potato-topping-easy-recipe-for-comfort-food/