Turkey Shepherd's Pie

This turkey shepherd's pie is a classic shepherd's pie with a twist. This recipe takes your traditional shepherd's pie recipe and swaps out the ground beef for lean, flavorful turkey. The cheesy mashed potatoes on top are the perfect complement to the turkey and veggie filling.

Why You'll Love Turkey Shepherd's Pie

There are many reasons to love this recipe for turkey shepherd's pie. The savory turkey and veggies filling combined with the creamy mashed potatoes on top make for an irresistible dish. It’s easy to prepare and combines your meat and veggies all in one pan. And it’s a hearty dish that will keep you full for hours. You can customize the recipe to your taste by adding or removing vegetables or seasonings.

Is this Recipe Healthy?

Turkey shepherd's pie is a healthy option because it contains lean protein in the form of ground turkey as well as plenty of fiber, vitamins, and minerals from the vegetables. Peas are a good source of protein, fiber, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Carrots are loaded with vitamin A. The tomatoes are full of vitamin C and other antioxidants, such as lycopene.

Potatoes often get a bad rap, but they are a great source of many nutrients that make them a healthy food choice. Potatoes contain a significant amount of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium. And potatoes provide complex carbohydrates for sustained energy throughout the day. With all these ingredients combined, this dish makes for a nutritious meal.

How to Make Turkey Shepherd's Pie

Prep the veggies:

1. Peel and dice the onion.
2. Peel and mince the garlic cloves.
3. Peel and finely dice the carrots.
4. Dice the celery.
5. Peel and cube the potatoes. Boil the potatoes until soft.

Prepare the meat and veggie filling:

1. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan. Add the minced garlic, diced onion, and a bit of salt. Cook until soft and fragrant.
2. Add the carrots and celery and cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes on medium heat.
3. Add the ground turkey meat and season with the salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook until browned, making sure to break up any big lumps.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce to the pan and mix well. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Taste the mixture. If it is too acidic, add a teaspoon of sugar.

Prepare the mashed potatoes:

1. Drain the boiled potatoes and place them in a big bowl.
2. Add the butter, salt, pepper, and shredded mozzarella.
3. Mash everything together with the help of a potato masher.

Assemble and cook:

1. Fill the baking dish with the meat and veggie filling. Spread evenly.
2. Cover the filling with a layer of cheesy mashed potatoes.
3. Make lines in the mashed potatoes with a fork for decoration and crispiness.
4. Bake in the oven for 12 minutes until the mashed potato top is golden.

Tips & Variations for Turkey Shepherd's Pie

When making turkey shepherd's pie, there are a few tips to keep in mind.

• Choose lean ground turkey for the filling. You can also substitute other ground meats, such as ground chicken, lean ground beef, ground pork, or even ground lamb.
• Add a bit of sugar to the tomato to balance out the acidity.
• Skip the Worcestershire sauce if you don't have it, but add if you can because it amps up the flavor.
• Substitute ½ cup of brandy or cognac for the Worcestershire sauce and allow it to boil.
• Add in other vegetables, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, squash, or zucchini.
• Try different fresh herbs, such as rosemary or parsley, for added flavor.
• Add chopped chives or grated cheddar cheese to the top of the potatoes.
• Opt for different types of potatoes for the topping. You can try sweet potatoes, purple potatoes, or even cauliflower mash instead of mashed white potatoes.

More Turkey Recipes

• The Best Ground Turkey Stir-Fry Recipe
• Chipotle Apple Turkey Chili
• Healthy Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup
• Toasted Cranberry Brie Turkey Sandwich

Turkey Shepherd's Pie FAQs

Bottom Line

Turkey shepherd's pie is a classic dish that has been transformed with turkey instead of beef. This turkey shepherd’s pie is full of flavor, nutrition, and comfort, and you can adapt it to better suit your diet. Serve this one pot meal tonight.

Print