Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

A cozy classic gets a modern makeover with sweet potatoes standing in for the traditional topping.

Prep: 25 mins (includes potato peeling therapy) Cook: 45 mins Serves: 6-8 (depending on how much comfort food everyone needs)

Fun Fact: Shepherd's Pie was created by thrifty farmers' wives in the 1700s. If they saw us adding sweet potatoes and posting it on Instagram, they'd probably roll their eyes.

Preparing sweet potatoes
Making the lamb filling
Assembling the pie

Ingredients

For the Sweet Potato Top:

  • • 3 large sweet potatoes (the orange ones, not their pale cousins)
  • • 1/2 cup milk (whatever kind – we don't judge)
  • • 4 tbsp butter (the real stuff, not the "I can't believe it's not" stuff)
  • • Salt and pepper (to taste and for good luck)

For the Filling:

  • • 1 lb ground lamb (because it's not Shepherd's Pie with beef – that's Cottage Pie, and yes, there will be a quiz)
  • • 1 onion, diced (try not to cry)
  • • 2 carrots, diced (the more uniform the dice, the more chef-like you'll feel)
  • • 2 celery stalks (the vegetable everyone loves to hate)
  • • 2 garlic cloves (minimum – adjust based on your relationship status)
  • • 1 cup peas (frozen is fine, we're not martyrs)
  • • 1 cup broth (whatever's in your pantry)
  • • 1 tbsp tomato paste (yes, you'll have to buy a whole can for just 1 tbsp)
  • • Fresh thyme (that herb you always forget to use)

Instructions

1

Peel and chop sweet potatoes. Boil until tender enough to mash with your hopes and dreams.

2

Meanwhile, brown the lamb like it's auditioning for a cooking show.

3

Add vegetables except peas. Cook until the onions are translucent (fancy cooking word alert!).

4

Add tomato paste, broth, and thyme. Simmer until you've checked all your social media accounts.

5

Mash sweet potatoes with milk and butter until smooth. Add salt and pepper until it tastes like heaven.

6

Layer meat mixture in a baking dish, top with sweet potato mash. Make fancy fork patterns because you're artsy like that.

7

Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes or until the top gets those crispy bits everyone fights over.

Final baked Shepherd's Pie

Serve With

  • 🥗 A green salad (to pretend you're being healthy)
  • 🍞 Crusty bread (to soak up any escaped filling)
  • 🎭 Your best British accent
  • 🍷 A sturdy red wine

Storage Tips

  • ❄️ Keeps 4 days in the fridge
  • 🧊 Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months
  • ✨ Leftovers might be even better than day one

Pro Tips

  • ✨ Make the potato layer thicker than you think you need
  • ✨ If mixture looks dry, add more broth (nobody likes dry pie)
  • ✨ Let it rest 10 minutes before serving (it's molten hot in there)

Make-Ahead Tips

  • ⏰ Entire dish can be assembled 24 hours ahead
  • ❄️ Can be frozen before baking
  • 🔥 Reheat covered with foil to prevent sweet potato from drying out