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A close-up showcases a golden-brown Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie, highlighting the creamy mashed sweet potato topping and savory filling.

Perfect Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

This Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie offers a delightful twist on the classic comfort food. It features a savory ground beef filling topped with creamy, spiced sweet potato mash, creating a balanced and satisfying meal that's both flavorful and nutritious.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 3 large sweet potatoes about 2 pounds
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon for topping
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg for topping
  • Salt to taste for topping
  • Pepper to taste for topping

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Potato masher or electric mixer
  • Large Skillet
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes. They should be easily pierced with a fork.
  3. Drain the sweet potatoes well and return them to the pot.
  4. Add the milk, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the cooked sweet potatoes.
  5. Mash until smooth and creamy using a potato masher or electric mixer. Set aside.
  6. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  7. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  8. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  9. Stir in the thyme, rosemary, smoked paprika, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  10. Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  11. Gradually pour in the beef broth, stirring to prevent lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
  12. Stir in the frozen peas and carrots and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are heated through.
  13. Pour the meat filling into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  14. Spread the mashed sweet potato topping evenly over the meat filling.
  15. For an extra touch, use a fork to create swirls in the sweet potato topping.
  16. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  17. Let the Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For a sweeter topping, use Beauregard sweet potatoes. Ground turkey or plant-based ground meat can be substituted for the ground beef. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meat filling for extra heat. Diced celery, mushrooms, or corn can be added to the meat filling for added flavor and texture. The meat filling and sweet potato topping can be prepared ahead of time and stored separately in the refrigerator. The assembled pie can be frozen for later use. For a more deeply browned topping, broil the pie for the last 1-2 minutes of baking, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning.