Beef Shepherds Pie Sweet Potato (Printable)
Savory ground beef paired with creamy sweet potato mash and herbs for a warm, hearty meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Sweet Potato Mash
01 - 3.3 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
02 - 2 tbsp 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 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 2 medium carrots, diced
10 - 1.5 lbs lean ground beef
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free if required)
13 - 1 tsp dried thyme
14 - 1 tsp dried rosemary
15 - 2/3 cup beef broth
16 - 1 cup frozen peas
17 - Salt, to taste
18 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How to Prepare:
01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Place cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt, bring to a boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender.
03 - Drain potatoes thoroughly, then mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
05 - Incorporate garlic and diced carrots into the skillet and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
06 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned, approximately 5-7 minutes.
07 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary; cook for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
08 - Pour beef broth into the skillet, bring to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
09 - Fold in frozen peas and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat.
10 - Transfer beef filling into a 2-quart baking dish and spread the sweet potato mash evenly over the top.
11 - Use a fork to create ridges across the mashed sweet potatoes to enhance crispness during baking.
12 - Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the topping is golden and the filling bubbles.
13 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving to set the layers.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sweet potato mash adds a subtle sweetness that cuts through the savory beef, creating layers of flavor you won't find in a standard shepherd's pie.
- It's a one-dish meal that feels impressive enough for company but simple enough for a quiet weeknight at home.
02 -
- If your mash is too stiff, it won't spread easily—this is when that warm milk makes all the difference, so add it gradually until you get the texture right.
- Resist the urge to skip the fork ridges on top; they're not just for looks, they actually create crispy edges that make the dish taste better.
03 -
- Don't skip warming the milk before adding it to the sweet potatoes—cold milk makes the mash seize and become lumpy.
- If you want extra flavor, brown the beef in batches so it actually browns instead of steaming in its own moisture, which only takes a few extra minutes but changes everything.