Vegetarian Lentil Shepherds Pie (Printable)

Savory lentils and veggies under a smooth sweet potato topping for a filling dinner.

# What you'll need:

→ Sweet Potato Mash

01 - 2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter or olive oil for vegan
03 - ¼ cup milk or plant-based milk for vegan
04 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Lentil Filling

05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 medium carrots, diced
09 - 2 celery stalks, diced
10 - 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
11 - 2 cups vegetable broth (gluten-free if needed)
12 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
13 - 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
14 - 1 tsp dried thyme
15 - 1 tsp dried rosemary
16 - 1 bay leaf
17 - 1 cup frozen peas
18 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Place sweet potatoes in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until tender.
03 - Drain sweet potatoes, then mash with butter and milk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, sautéing for 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
05 - Add lentils, tomato paste, soy sauce, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, and vegetable broth to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Remove bay leaf, stir in frozen peas, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Transfer lentil mixture to an 8 x 8-inch baking dish. Evenly spread the sweet potato mash over the top.
08 - Bake for 20 minutes until the topping is slightly golden.
09 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's genuinely filling and satisfying without any meat, so everyone leaves the table truly nourished.
  • The sweet potato topping adds a subtle sweetness that plays beautifully against the savory, herb-rich lentils underneath.
  • You can prep it in stages and bake it whenever you're ready, making it perfect for chaotic weeknight dinners.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rinsing of your lentils; it removes a fine dust that can cloud your broth and make the finished dish taste gritty.
  • Taste your filling before it goes into the oven—seasoning lentils properly is the difference between forgettable and unforgettable.
  • If your sweet potato mash seems too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time rather than all at once; you can't take it back.
03 -
  • Use a potato ricer instead of a masher if you have one; it creates an even silkier texture that spreads more evenly over the filling.
  • Don't discard that bay leaf before service—fishing it out at the table is part of the ritual, and it always surprises someone the first time.

Return