This Turkey Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato is an easy healthy casserole dish made with ground turkey, vegetables, and sweet potato mash. Gluten-free, dairy-free.
Easy comfort food with a healthy twist. That's what I love making the most. Like my chicken and sweet potato soup or dairy-free chicken alfredo bake, wholesome comfort food can be achieved!
Traditional shepherd's pie uses lamb in the mashed potato-topped pie. Cottage pie, sometimes used interchangeably with shepherd's pie, distinguishes itself by using beef.
This recipe uses neither. Not a traditional shepherd's pie by any means, lean ground turkey is substituted for the lamb, and sweet potato is used for the mash topping.
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Ingredients
The items you will need for this casserole dish are easy to prep. Here are the major ingredients for this recipe:
- Ground turkey (sub ground chicken or ground beef!)
- Sweet potatoes (check out these sweet potato substitutes!)
- Onion
- Green pepper
- Baby bella mushrooms
- Minced garlic
- Tomato paste
- Gluten-free soy sauce
- Vegan butter
- Chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme and oregano, red pepper flakes
How to Make Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato
Grab your saucepan, large skillet, and mixing bowl. Let's make turkey shepherd's pie!
- Place sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with water.
- Turn to medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook until soft.
- Drain the saucepan and transfer the sweet potatoes to a mixing bowl.
- Mash potato and add vegan butter and topping spices. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add turkey, onions, and green pepper.
- Cook, stirring occasionally to break up turkey, until turkey starts to brown.
- Add filling spices, salt, pepper, and mushrooms. Cook until turkey is no longer pink.
- Stir in water, tomato paste, and gluten-free soy sauce and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer for 3-4 minutes then transfer filling to prepared casserole dish.
- Top with sweet potato mash and bake for 12 minutes.
- Serve warm. Add additional salt and pepper if desired.
What to Serve with Shepherd's Pie
So, how can you round out this meal? Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Peas
- Glazed carrots
- Baked beans
- Cabbage or kale
- Gluten-free bread
More Sweet Potato Recipes
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Turkey Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potato
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Mash Topping
- 2 large sweet potatoes peeled and quartered
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Ground Turkey Filling
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 8 oz baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons gluten-free soy sauce or tamari
Instructions
Sweet Potato Mash
- Place sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Turn to medium heat and bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until soft, about 16-18 minutes.
- Drain saucepan and transfer sweet potatoes to a mixing bowl. Mash potato and add vegan butter, spices for mash, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Ground Turkey Filling
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add turkey, onions, and green pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally to break up turkey, until turkey starts to brown.
- Add garlic and mushrooms and cook for one minute. Then add chili powder, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, stir to combine. Cook until turkey is no longer pink.
- Stir in water, tomato paste, and gluten-free soy sauce and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, then transfer filling to prepared casserole dish.
- Top with sweet potato mash and bake for 12 minutes.
- Serve immediately. Add additional salt, pepper, or chili flakes if desired.
Benita
Will regular butter work in this recipe?
Tessa
Yes! That should work just fine.
Carol
This is a keeper!! Perfect blend of spices and easy to make. We loved it. Found it easier to bake the sweet potatoes and scoop out to mash.
Tessa
Thank you, Carol! I'm so glad. Yes, I've done it that way as well - will add to the notes as another option. :)
Sarah
This looks like such an improved and elevated version of the classic. I cannot wait to give it a try!
Tessa
It's become a new weeknight favorite here!