This easy shepherd's pie with sweet potatoes recipe is made with beef instead of ground lamb. Great for celebrating St. Pat's holiday or any time of year.
Everyone loves a good casserole. Today's recipe comes just in time for a St. Patrick's Day party or family dinner celebration. It's a take on the traditional classic Shepherd's pie. However, many people do not like the flavor of lamb (even though I do). And, it can also be hard to find in the store.
So I've used beef (sometimes referred to as "Cottage Pie") and topped it with mashed sweet potatoes or yams for a pretty presentation and a little sweetness.
How to Make Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potatoes
- Peel, chop, and boil sweet potatoes in plenty of water on the stove. This will take about 20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender, meaning you can easily push a fork into the potato.
2. Meanwhile start sauteing onions with salt and pepper in some olive oil in a large skillet.
3. Next, brown the ground beef. I used lean ground beef so there isn't much extra fat in the pan.
4. Add Worcestershire sauce and fresh thyme.
5. Add the beef broth and sprinkle flour on top. Stir and simmer. This will help to thicken the mixture.
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6. Then add the tomato paste and stir in the thawed peas and carrots.
7. Transfer the beef mixture to a 9 x 13 baking dish.
8. Drain the sweet potatoes and whip them with butter and milk until they are nice and smooth.
9. Spread the mashed sweet potatoes over the beef mixture and up to the sides to create a seal.
10. Bake the shepherd's pie in a preheated 375 degree oven for 20 minutes.
11. If you want you can then set it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes more.
Cool slightly before serving this delicious colorful comfort food.
More St. Patrick's Day Recipes
Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie Recipe
Equipment
- 9 x 13 casserole dish
Materials
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon worchestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme leaves
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots thawed
Mashed Sweet Potato Topping
- 2.5 pounds sweet potatoes
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Peel the sweet potatoes and chop them into 1-1.5 inch cubes.
- Place the potatoes into a pot of water to cover and boil for 15-20 minutes or until they are fork tender.
- Meanwhile, saute the onions in olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the ground beef, salt and pepper. Stir until browned through.
- Add the worchestershire sauce and thyme.
- Sprinkle the flour over top and add the beef broth and tomato paste.
- Simmer for a minute then add the peas and carrots. Stir well.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a 9 x 13 casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Drain the potatoes and then mash them with butter and milk.
- Spread the mashed potatoes over the beef mixture in the casserole dish making sure to reach the edge of the pan to create a seal.
- Bake for 25 minutes then place the dish under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to brown the top if desired.
Notes
- Ground turkey instead of beef.
- Different veggies such as green beans or corn.
- Fresh herbs such as fresh rosemary.
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