Lentil Shepherd’s Pie: A Comforting Delight! Recipe
Lentil Shepherd’s Pie is a hearty and comforting vegetarian dish featuring a savory lentil and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed sweet potatoes. This nutritious meal combines tender lentils simmered with aromatic herbs and a medley of sautéed vegetables, baked under a golden sweet potato crust, perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Legumes & Broth
- 1 cup lentils, rinsed
- 4 cups vegetable broth
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Oils & Others
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the shepherd’s pie later.
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into chunks, then boil them in water until they are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery, sautéing until these vegetables become soft and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary to the sautéed vegetables and cook for another minute to release their flavors.
- Cook the Lentils: Add the rinsed lentils and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer until the lentils are fully cooked and tender, about 20-25 minutes.
- Mash the Sweet Potatoes: Drain the cooked sweet potatoes and mash them with salt and pepper to taste until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Pie: Spread the cooked lentil and vegetable mixture evenly in a baking dish. Top it with the mashed sweet potatoes, spreading them out to cover the filling completely.
- Bake: Place the assembled dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the sweet potato topping is slightly golden and crispy on the edges.
Notes
- You can add a splash of olive oil or plant-based milk to the mashed sweet potatoes for extra creaminess.
- Feel free to incorporate other vegetables such as peas or corn into the lentil filling.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure vegetable broth and all ingredients used are certified gluten-free.
Keywords: lentil shepherd’s pie, vegetarian comfort food, sweet potato topping, lentil casserole, healthy dinner recipe
