Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Meatless Lentil Casserole Topped with Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Nov 23, 2008
Jill Harris

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie - J. Harris

Shepherd's pie is a traditional one-dish casserole made with peas, ground beef and mashed potatoes. This easy vegetarian version retains the flavour wtihout the meat.

Shepherd's Pie is a favourite winter comfort food. Made from pantry items like potatoes, frozen peas and dried lentils, Shepherd's Pie is an easy dinner fix when you don't have time to run to the store. For weekday menu ideas, try some of the family-friendly substitutions below.

However humble it seems, Shepherd's Pie can be made elegant too. Try it for a casual dinner party or potluck meal; or as the centrepiece of a holiday or special occasion dinner. Check out some exciting new ideas listed below the recipe.

Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Makes 6 servings.

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

Potato Layer

6 medium potatoes (2lbs/1kg)
¾ cup (175 ml) milk or soy milk, warmed
2 Tbsp. (30 ml) butter or margarine
¾ cup (3 oz / 100 g) grated cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Lentil Layer

1 cup dry green lentils
2 Tbsp. (30 ml) vegetable oil
2 large onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cups (1, 19 oz - 540 ml can) diced tomatoes, drained
2 tsp soy sauce or vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (use an anchovy-free brand)
½ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp hot sauce (like Tabasco)
¾ cup dry breadcrumbs
1 cup frozen peas
paprika

Directions:

Cook lentils according to package directions.
Meanwhile, cook potatoes in boiling, salted water for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain well.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
Heat oil in a large, deep skillet. Cook onions and garlic until tender.
Stir in cooked lentils.
Add tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce/soy sauce, thyme, hot sauce and peas.
Stir in breadcrumbs and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Mash the drained potatoes with milk/soy milk, butter/margarine, cheese, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Transfer mixture to a large casserole dish (3.5 L or 3.5 quart) casserole dish.
Using a spatula, smooth the mashed potatoes over top. Sprinkle with paprika.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Serve alone with garlic bread or mushroom gravy.

Shepherd's Pie Variations

Vegan Shepherd's Pie

Omit the cheddar cheese in the potato layer and use soy milk and vegan butter.

Fancy Shepherd's Pie

Add finely chopped colorful vegetables to the lentil layer. Try carrots, corn or peppers.
Serve with rich mushroom gravy.
Bake in a large glass casserole dish to showcase the layered lentils and potatoes.
Shred some hard parmesan or asiago cheese in addition to the cheddar cheese.
Use old (aged) cheddar cheese instead of medium cheddar cheese.

Fun Family-Friendly Shepherd's Pie

Omit the cheddar cheese in the potato layer and substitute sweet potatoes for some or all of the white potatoes.
Add more spice using hot sauce or hot peppers in the lentil layer.
Top with even more shredded cheddar cheese, or try different kinds of cheese mixed together.
Subsittute or mix in re-hydrated vegetarian soy crumbles (TSP) with the lentils.