Beef Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato Mash (Printable View)

A comforting twist on the classic, featuring savory ground beef and vegetables under creamy, slightly sweet sweet potato mash topping.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# How to Make It:

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, 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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sweet potato topping creates this incredible flavor contrast with the savory filling that regular potatoes just cant match.
  • Its hearty enough to satisfy the hungriest eaters but still feels somewhat virtuous with all those vegetables packed inside.
02 -
  • Let the shepherd's pie rest after baking I learned the hard way that serving immediately results in a filling that runs all over the plate.
  • The sweet potato mash will set and become easier to serve if you let the dish sit for those full 5 minutes out of the oven.
03 -
  • For an even more complex flavor, add a splash of red wine along with the beef stock and let it reduce before adding the other liquids.
  • Pressing a clove of garlic into the sweet potato mash just before serving adds a subtle warmth that perfectly complements their natural sweetness.

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