Beef Shepherds Pie with Sweet Potato Mash (Printable Version)
Ground beef and vegetables layered under a creamy, slightly sweet potato mash. A comforting British-inspired main dish.
# What You Need:
→ Sweet Potato Mash
01 - 3.3 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
02 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1/3 cup milk or plant-based alternative
04 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Beef Filling
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 2 medium carrots, diced
09 - 2 celery stalks, diced
10 - 1.5 lbs ground beef
11 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
12 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
13 - 1 cup beef stock, gluten-free if needed
14 - 1 cup frozen peas
15 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
16 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Place sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with salted water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain well.
03 - Mash sweet potatoes with butter and milk. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion for 2 minutes, then add garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-6 minutes until softened.
05 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes.
06 - Stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce; cook for 1 minute.
07 - Pour in beef stock, add thyme and rosemary. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in peas and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
08 - Spread beef mixture evenly in a 2-quart baking dish. Top with sweet potato mash, smoothing the surface.
09 - Bake for 20 minutes, or until filling is bubbling and top is lightly golden. For extra color, broil for 2-3 minutes if desired.
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sweet potato topping caramelizes slightly in the oven, creating these little crispy bits that youll find yourself picking at before serving.
- Its one of those magical meals that tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep when life gets chaotic.
02 -
- Letting the pie rest for at least 5 minutes after baking is crucial, otherwise the filling will run everywhere when you serve it.
- If your sweet potatoes seem watery after boiling, put them back in the hot pot for a minute after draining to let excess moisture evaporate.
03 -
- Run the tines of a fork across the top of the mash before baking to create ridges that will crisp up beautifully in the oven.
- For special occasions, stir a tablespoon of maple syrup into the sweet potato mash for subtle sweetness that enhances rather than overwhelms.