Beef Shepherds Pie Sweet (Printable)
Savory beef filling topped with creamy sweet potato mash creates a warm, hearty main dish.
# What You Need:
→ Sweet Potato Mash
01 - 3.3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1/4 cup milk or dairy-free alternative
04 - Salt, to taste
05 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Beef Filling
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 2 medium carrots, diced
10 - 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
11 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
12 - 1 tablespoon gluten-free Worcestershire sauce
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
15 - 2/3 cup beef broth
16 - 1 cup frozen peas
17 - Salt, to taste
18 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Set the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Place peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender.
03 - Drain sweet potatoes and mash together with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
05 - Stir in minced garlic and diced carrots, cooking for an additional 3 minutes.
06 - Add lean ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
07 - Mix in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
08 - Pour in beef broth, bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
09 - Stir in frozen peas, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
10 - Spoon the beef filling into a 2-quart baking dish and spread the sweet potato mash evenly over the top.
11 - Use a fork to make ridges in the mashed sweet potatoes for a crisped surface.
12 - Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling.
13 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving to set.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sweet potato topping caramelizes into something almost creamy and luxurious while the edges crisp up in the oven.
- One dish feeds a crowd and reheats beautifully, making it perfect for those nights when you need dinner to just work.
- It's naturally gluten-free if you reach for the right Worcestershire sauce, so no one gets left out at the table.
02 -
- Don't skip draining the sweet potatoes thoroughly or your mash will turn into soup and seep into the filling.
- Frozen peas go in at the very end because they'll turn into little gray bullets if you cook them with everything else.
- The ridges you make in the mash aren't just decoration—they actually turn crispy and brown, adding texture to every bite.
03 -
- Taste the beef filling before it goes in the dish—it should taste slightly overseasoned because the bland sweet potato will balance it out.
- For extra richness, grate some cheddar or gruyere over the sweet potato mash before baking and watch it turn golden and a little crispy on top.