This veggie loaded Shepherd's Pie is a lightened up version of the classic. This dish was originally used as a way to utilize all the leftovers that were in the refrigerator. It consisted of meat, potatoes and whatever other veggies people could get their hands on. Today, there are so many different ways to make Shepherd's Pie, this is the way my family likes it!
What's In Veggie Loaded Shepherd's Pie?
Usually, Shepherd's Pie is made with red meat and topped with mashed potatoes. In order to lighten it up and make it a little healthier, I mix the potatoes with cauliflower. I cook them all right in the same pot, drain them together, and then mash them all up. They cook in the same amount of time, so you don't have to worry about cooking them separately.
Another way I change this up is that I use turkey instead of beef. You could use beef if you wanted to, but I like turkey in this to lighten the recipe up a bit. Use 85/15 turkey so you still get a little bit of fat and richness, but not all the fat that would come with red meat.
When it comes to the vegetables, you can use any you would like. I used onion, carrots, and zucchini, but you could add corn, peas, mushrooms, etc. This recipe is really just a blueprint for you. Change up the meat and the vegetables as you would like and as your family would like!
Let's Make This Shepherd's Pie
Reheat your leftover mashed potatoes to soften them up. Set that aside.
Next, you will need is a cast iron skillet. I've linked one here if you don't have one. You'll want to sauté the onion, carrots, and shredded zucchini in olive oil in the skillet and let that cook for a few minutes. Then, add the turkey and the garlic. You don't want to add the garlic with the vegetables because the garlic will burn.
Once the turkey is cooked, add 2 tablespoons of flour as well as any dried herbs you would like. I used rosemary and oregano, but you could add thyme, Italian herbs, dried parsley, any herbs you would like. Let that cook for a little bit to cook off the flour flavor, and then add ¼ cup of white wine and 1 cup of broth. Continue to cook that and let it thicken into a gravy.
Spoon the leftover potato mixture over the turkey mixture, top with more cheese, and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes until the cheese browns. Enjoy this Veggie Loaded Shepherd's Pie!
Questions About Veggie Loaded Shepherd's Pie
Yes! You can put the shepherd's pie together the day before, and keep it in the refrigerator. When you are ready to serve it, preheat the oven to 375, top with cheese, and bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
Yes! If you would prefer to have no meat in this recipe, just bulk up the veggies that you are adding to the filling.
If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, place a serving in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Other Recipes To Try
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Veggie Loaded Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Onion Chopped
- 2 Carrots Chopped
- 1 Zucchini Shredded
- 4 Garlic Cloves
- 1 LB Ground Turkey
- ½ teaspoon Dried Rosemary
- 1 TB Dried Oregano
- 2 TB Flour
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- ¼ cup White Wine I used Pinot Grigio
- 3 cups Leftover Mashed Potatoes
Instructions
- Heat up your mashed potatoes to soften them. Set that aside.
- Put the olive oil in a cast iron skillet and place over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and shredded zucchini. Cook that for 5 minutes until the carrots start to soften and the onions become translucent. Add the garlic cloves and the turkey. Cook that until the turkey is completely cooked, about 10 minutes.
- Once the turkey is cooked and no longer pink, add the herbs and flour. Cook the flour for a few minutes until it starts to brown just a little. Add the broth and the wine. Cook that over low heat allowing the mixture to bubble for 5 minutes.
- Top the turkey mixture with the leftover potatoes and add more shredded cheese on top. Put the cast iron skillet in the oven and allow the cheese to just start to bubble and brown. Once the cheese has browned, take it out and enjoy immediately.
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