This easy turkey shepherd’s pie recipe is a healthy twist on classic shepherd’s pie. With lean ground turkey, mashed sweet potatoes, and healthy vegetables, it’s full of flavor. It’s a “must have” comfort food recipe and favorite casserole dish!
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients for Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
- 6 cups peeled and diced sweet potatoes
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 pound lean ground turkey, uncooked
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 ¼ cups diced zucchini
- 1 cup finely diced carrots
- ½ cup frozen corn
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried poultry seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions for this Turkey Shepherd’s Pie recipe
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Step 2: Cook the sweet potatoes by placing them in a large saucepan with the 2 cloves of garlic. Cover completely with cold water and place a lid on the saucepan. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer with the lid on for 15-20 minutes, or until a fork pierces the sweet potato easily. Remove from heat and drain the water off.
Step 3: Mash the sweet potatoes and garlic with a potato masher or electric mixer by mashing slightly with the butter. Then, gradually add in the milk and mix until smooth and fluffy. Cover the pot of potatoes to keep warm.
Step 4: While the potatoes are cooking, in a large skillet, cook the diced onions with the ground turkey until the turkey is no longer pink and the onions are translucent. If there is any fat, drain it from the pan. Then, add the zucchini, carrots, corn, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and simmer with the lid on for 10 minutes- or until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and dried sage. Cook until heated through.
Step 5: Transfer the cooked turkey mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 1 ½ quart casserole dish. Top with mashed potatoes. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes – or until sweet potatoes are heated through. Makes 4 servings.
My story with this shepherd’s pie recipe
Can you believe I’ve never made shepherd’s pie until now? In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever eaten it before either!
I was on a mission to find a healthy casserole dish for my husband and I and eventually ended up with this idea. I substituted and experimented, and put in some of the flavors we like with Turkey Sloppy Joes. I must say…we LOVE it!
What is classic shepherd’s pie?
Shepherd’s pie is a popular baked British comfort food made with lamb, vegetables, & Guinness and a topping of fluffy mashed potatoes.
What is the easiest way to spread the mashed potatoes on to the top of Shepherd’s pie?
Start spreading the mashed potatoes around the edge of the casserole dish first and work your way to the middle. Another way to add a pretty mashed potato topping is to use a piping bag and pipe it on.
Other variations of this shepherd’s pie recipe:
- Use ground beef instead of ground turkey.
- Instead of using one casserole dish, assemble the casserole in 4 individual sized casserole dishes.
- Use any type of frozen vegetable instead of corn.
- Butternut squash, cauliflower, or white potatoes can be used in place of the mashed sweet potatoes.
- Instead of mashed potatoes on the top, top with your favorite stuffing before baking.
- Dried or fresh sage could be used instead of poultry seasoning.
- If zucchini is out of season, fresh chopped red pepper could be used.
Can Turkey Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie be frozen?
Yes! It makes a wonderful make ahead freezer meal. Once it is assembled in the casserole dish (or dishes), it can be covered tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and placed in the freezer. It will keep for up to one month.
Tips for making Shepherd’s Pie
One of the articles I read mentioned that to prevent the potatoes from sinking, slightly cool the cooked turkey mixture before topping with hot mashed potatoes.
Other casserole recipes:
Looking for more COMFORT FOOD RECIPE IDEAS?
Turkey Shepherd's Pie with Sweet Potatoes
This straightforward turkey shepherd's pie recipe offers a nutritious spin on the traditional version. Using lean ground turkey, creamy mashed sweet potatoes, and fresh vegetables, it delivers great flavor and makes for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Method
- First, set your oven to 375 degrees.
- Next, boil the sweet potatoes in a large pot along with two cloves of garlic. Submerge them in cold water, cover the pot, and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, lower the temperature to medium and let them simmer under the lid for 15 to 20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender enough to be pierced with a fork. Afterward, drain the water away.
- Now, mash the cooked sweet potatoes and garlic using a potato masher or electric mixer, incorporating the butter as you go. Slowly pour in the milk while mixing until the texture becomes smooth and airy. Keep the pot covered to maintain the warmth.
- Meanwhile, in a spacious skillet, brown the diced onions with the ground turkey. Continue cooking until the meat is fully done and the onions turn translucent. If excess fat remains, pour it off. Then, stir in the zucchini, carrots, corn, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft, stirring periodically. Mix in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and dried sage, heating everything through.
- Step 5: Transfer the cooked turkey mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 1 ½ quart casserole dish. Top with mashed potatoes. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes – or until sweet potatoes are heated through. Makes 4 servings.
