This vegetarian shepherd's pie is a comforting and hearty dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner. It features a savory filling made with lentils and mixed vegetables, topped with creamy mashed potatoes. This recipe is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making it a great option for a wholesome meal.
Some ingredients in this recipe might not be commonly found in every household. For instance, lentils and vegan butter might require a trip to the supermarket. Make sure to check the plant-based section for the vegan butter and the dry goods aisle for the lentils. Additionally, plant-based milk can usually be found in the dairy alternatives section.
Ingredients For Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and adding richness to the dish.
Onion: Adds a sweet and savory flavor base to the filling.
Garlic: Provides a pungent and aromatic depth to the dish.
Mixed vegetables: A combination of carrots, peas, and corn for a variety of textures and flavors.
Lentils: A protein-rich legume that adds heartiness to the filling.
Tomato paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that enhances the savory profile of the filling.
Vegetable broth: Adds moisture and depth of flavor to the filling.
Thyme: An herb that adds a subtle earthy flavor.
Rosemary: An herb that adds a fragrant and slightly piney flavor.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Pepper: Adds a mild heat and enhances the other flavors.
Potatoes: The base for the creamy mashed potato topping.
Vegan butter: Adds creaminess and richness to the mashed potatoes.
Plant-based milk: Used to achieve the desired consistency in the mashed potatoes.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When mashing the potatoes, make sure they are completely drained and dry before adding the vegan butter and plant-based milk. This will ensure a smoother and creamier texture. Additionally, using a potato ricer or food mill can help achieve an even finer mash, avoiding any lumps.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a similar fat content and can add a subtle flavor to the dish.
Onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a milder flavor and can be a great alternative to onions in many recipes.
Garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a slightly sweeter and milder taste compared to garlic, but they can still add depth to the dish.
Mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn) - Substitute with zucchini, bell peppers, and green beans: These vegetables provide a different texture and flavor profile while maintaining the nutritional value.
Lentils, cooked - Substitute with chickpeas: Chickpeas offer a similar protein content and a slightly different texture that can add variety to the dish.
Tomato paste - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes can provide a similar tomato flavor and moisture to the dish.
Vegetable broth - Substitute with mushroom broth: Mushroom broth can add a rich, umami flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Thyme - Substitute with oregano: Oregano offers a robust flavor that can complement the other ingredients well.
Rosemary - Substitute with sage: Sage provides a slightly different but equally aromatic flavor that pairs well with the other herbs.
Salt and pepper - Substitute with soy sauce and white pepper: Soy sauce can add a savory depth, and white pepper offers a milder heat compared to black pepper.
Potatoes, peeled and chopped - Substitute with cauliflower: Cauliflower can be mashed to create a similar texture to mashed potatoes and is a lower-carb alternative.
Vegan butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can provide the necessary fat content and a smooth texture for the mashed topping.
Plant-based milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk can add creaminess and a subtle flavor to the mashed topping.
Salt and pepper - Substitute with nutritional yeast and paprika: Nutritional yeast can add a cheesy flavor, and paprika can provide a mild heat and color.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
Allow the vegetarian shepherd's pie to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the mashed potatoes soggy.
For short-term storage, transfer the shepherd's pie to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
If you plan to freeze the shepherd's pie, use a freezer-safe container or wrap the entire baking dish tightly with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. This double layer helps protect against freezer burn.
Label the container with the date so you can keep track of its freshness. The shepherd's pie can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
When you're ready to enjoy the frozen shepherd's pie, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture of the vegetables and mashed potatoes.
Reheat the shepherd's pie in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, approximately 25-30 minutes. If reheating from frozen, it may take up to 45-60 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent the top from browning too much.
For a quicker option, individual portions can be reheated in the microwave. Place a serving on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate, and heat on medium power for 3-5 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through.
To refresh the texture of the mashed potatoes, you can broil the shepherd's pie for the last few minutes of reheating to achieve a golden, crispy top.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover vegetarian shepherd's pie in an oven-safe dish. Cover it with aluminum foil to prevent the mashed potatoes from drying out. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is hot and bubbling. For a crispy top, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking.
Microwave Method: Transfer a portion of the shepherd's pie to a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. If the mashed potatoes seem dry, add a splash of plant-based milk before reheating.
Stovetop Method: Scoop the shepherd's pie into a large skillet or saucepan. Add a few tablespoons of vegetable broth or plant-based milk to prevent sticking. Cover and heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the filling is hot and the mashed potatoes are warmed through, about 10-15 minutes.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the shepherd's pie in an air fryer-safe dish. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn't overcook. This method will give you a crispy top layer of mashed potatoes.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the shepherd's pie in a toaster oven-safe dish. Cover with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you prefer a crispy top.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used for cooking the onions, garlic, mixed vegetables, and lentil filling.
Medium pot: Used for boiling the potatoes until tender.
Colander: Used for draining the boiled potatoes.
Potato masher: Used for mashing the potatoes with vegan butter and plant-based milk.
Wooden spoon: Used for stirring the filling ingredients in the large pot.
Baking dish: Used for transferring the filling and topping it with mashed potatoes before baking.
Oven: Used for baking the shepherd's pie until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling.
Knife: Used for chopping the onion and peeling and chopping the potatoes.
Cutting board: Used as a surface for chopping the onion and potatoes.
Measuring spoons: Used for measuring the olive oil, tomato paste, thyme, and rosemary.
Measuring cups: Used for measuring the mixed vegetables, cooked lentils, vegetable broth, and plant-based milk.
Garlic press: Used for mincing the garlic cloves.
Spatula: Used for spreading the mashed potatoes evenly over the filling in the baking dish.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Chop the onion, garlic, and mixed vegetables ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.
Use pre-cooked lentils: Opt for canned or pre-cooked lentils to save time on preparation.
Instant mashed potatoes: Consider using instant mashed potatoes for a quicker alternative to boiling and mashing fresh potatoes.
One-pot method: Cook the filling and mashed potatoes in the same pot to reduce cleanup time.
Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.
Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 cups Mixed Vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
- 1 cup Lentils, cooked
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 1 cup Vegetable Broth
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Rosemary
- to taste Salt and Pepper
Mashed Potato Topping
- 4 cups Potatoes, peeled and chopped
- ¼ cup Vegan Butter
- ½ cup Plant-Based Milk
- to taste Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the mixed vegetables and cook for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.
- Stir in the cooked lentils, tomato paste, vegetable broth, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- While the filling is simmering, boil the potatoes in a large pot of water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
- Add the vegan butter and plant-based milk to the potatoes. Mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the filling to a baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top with the mashed potatoes, spreading them out to cover the filling completely.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Thai Red Curry With Tofu Recipe45 Minutes
- Spicy Thai Basil Tofu Recipe30 Minutes
- Tofu Green Curry Recipe35 Minutes
- Spicy Thai Peanut Noodles Recipe25 Minutes
- Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Recipe35 Minutes
- Pad Thai Recipe35 Minutes
- Thai Peanut Noodles Recipe25 Minutes
- Thai Coconut Soup Recipe30 Minutes
Leave a Reply