This comforting vegan shepherd's pie is a delightful twist on a classic dish, perfect for those seeking a plant-based alternative. With a hearty filling of lentils and mixed vegetables, topped with creamy mashed potatoes, it's a satisfying meal that will please everyone at the table. The combination of herbs and spices infuses the dish with rich flavors, making it a perfect choice for a cozy dinner.
When preparing this recipe, you might need to pick up a few items that aren't always stocked in every pantry. Lentils are a great source of protein and can be found canned or dried in the legume section. Non-dairy milk and vegan butter are essential for creating the creamy mashed potato topping and can be found in the dairy alternatives section. Tomato paste is a concentrated form of tomatoes that adds depth to the filling, usually located in the canned goods aisle.
Ingredients For Vegan Shepherd's Pie Recipe
Olive oil: A staple in cooking, used for sautéing and adding flavor.
Onion: Provides a savory base for the filling with its aromatic qualities.
Garlic: Enhances the dish with its pungent and flavorful notes.
Mixed vegetables: A combination of carrots, peas, and corn adds color and nutrition.
Lentils: A protein-rich legume that forms the bulk of the filling.
Tomato paste: Adds a rich, concentrated tomato flavor to the filling.
Vegetable broth: Provides moisture and depth of flavor to the filling.
Thyme: An herb that adds earthy and slightly minty notes.
Rosemary: Offers a pine-like fragrance and flavor to the dish.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth to the flavor profile.
Potatoes: The base for the creamy mashed topping.
Non-dairy milk: Used to create a creamy texture in the mashed potatoes.
Vegan butter: Adds richness and flavor to the mashed potatoes.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing the mashed potatoes for your vegan shepherd's pie, consider using a potato ricer instead of a traditional masher. This tool helps achieve a smoother, lump-free texture, which is ideal for creating a creamy topping. Additionally, ensure your non-dairy milk and vegan butter are at room temperature before incorporating them into the potatoes. This will help them blend more seamlessly, resulting in a velvety finish. For an extra touch of flavor, you can infuse the non-dairy milk with a clove of garlic or a sprig of rosemary by gently warming it on the stove before adding it to the potatoes.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil provides a similar fat content and can add a subtle flavor that complements the dish.
onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a milder flavor and can add a slightly sweet note to the dish.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used when fresh garlic is unavailable, providing a similar flavor profile.
mixed vegetables - Substitute with frozen mixed vegetables: Frozen mixed vegetables are convenient and often contain a similar mix of carrots, peas, and corn.
lentils - Substitute with chickpeas: Chickpeas offer a similar protein content and texture, making them a good alternative to lentils.
tomato paste - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes can provide a similar tomato flavor, though they may add more liquid to the dish.
vegetable broth - Substitute with mushroom broth: Mushroom broth can add a rich, umami flavor that enhances the depth of the dish.
thyme - Substitute with oregano: Oregano offers a different but complementary herbal flavor that can work well in the recipe.
rosemary - Substitute with sage: Sage provides a warm, earthy flavor that can substitute well for rosemary.
potatoes - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes offer a different flavor profile and add a touch of sweetness to the dish.
non-dairy milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a popular non-dairy option that can provide a similar creamy texture.
vegan butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can replicate the fat content and provide a slight coconut flavor that complements the dish.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the vegan shepherd's pie to cool completely at room temperature. This prevents condensation from forming, which can make the mashed potatoes soggy.
For storing in the fridge:
- Transfer the shepherd's pie to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This keeps the flavors intact and ensures the vegetables remain fresh.
For freezing:
- If you plan to freeze the entire dish, consider using a freezer-safe baking dish.
- Once cooled, wrap the shepherd's pie tightly with plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. This double layer helps prevent freezer burn.
- Label the package with the date and contents to keep track of storage time.
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months for optimal taste and texture.
Reheating from the fridge:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove any plastic wrap and cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the mashed potatoes from drying out.
- Heat for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. For a crispy top, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating.
Reheating from frozen:
- It's best to thaw the shepherd's pie in the refrigerator overnight for even reheating.
- Follow the same reheating instructions as for refrigerated pie.
- If reheating directly from frozen, increase the oven time to 45-60 minutes, checking to ensure it's heated through.
For individual servings:
- Slice the shepherd's pie into portions before storing. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.
- Wrap each portion in plastic wrap and then foil, or place in individual airtight containers.
- Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes on high, or until hot, stirring halfway through for even heating.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover vegan shepherd's pie in an oven-safe dish. Cover it with foil to prevent the mashed potatoes from drying out. Heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until it's warmed through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to let the top crisp up slightly.
For a quicker method, use a microwave. Transfer a portion of the shepherd's pie to a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. Stir the filling gently if needed.
If you prefer using a stovetop, scoop the shepherd's pie into a non-stick skillet. Add a splash of vegetable broth or non-dairy milk to prevent sticking. Cover with a lid and heat over low-medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's heated through.
For those with an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place a portion of the shepherd's pie in the air fryer basket. Heat for about 8-10 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it's warming evenly. This method can give the mashed potato topping a nice crispy texture.
Essential Tools for Making This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the shepherd's pie until the top is golden brown.
Large skillet: Used to cook the onion, garlic, and mixed vegetables, and to simmer the filling.
Large pot: Used to boil the potatoes until they are tender.
Baking dish: Used to transfer the filling and mashed potatoes for baking.
Fork: Used to create texture on the surface of the mashed potatoes.
Potato masher: Used to mash the boiled potatoes until smooth.
Knife: Used to dice the onion and chop the potatoes.
Cutting board: Used as a surface for dicing the onion and chopping the potatoes.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil, tomato paste, thyme, and rosemary.
Measuring cup: Used to measure the vegetable broth and non-dairy milk.
Wooden spoon: Used to stir the ingredients in the skillet.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Chop the onion and garlic, and measure out the mixed vegetables and lentils the night before to save time on cooking day.
Use canned lentils: Opt for canned lentils instead of cooking them from scratch to cut down on preparation time.
Microwave potatoes: Speed up the process by microwaving the potatoes instead of boiling them, then mash with non-dairy milk and vegan butter.
One-pot method: Cook the filling in an oven-safe skillet, then top with mashed potatoes and transfer directly to the oven, skipping the baking dish.
Vegan Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
- 1 can lentils, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- to taste salt and pepper
Mashed Potato Topping
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- ¼ cup non-dairy milk
- 2 tablespoon vegan butter
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add mixed vegetables to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until they start to soften. Stir in lentils, tomato paste, vegetable broth, thyme, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- While the filling is simmering, boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and return to the pot. Add non-dairy milk and vegan butter, then mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the filling to a baking dish and spread it out evenly. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top and spread them out to cover the filling completely. Use a fork to create some texture on the surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- creamy mushroom sauce Recipe30 Minutes
- Cinnamon Roll Casserole Recipe40 Minutes
- Breakfast Casserole Recipe1 Hours
- Roast Pork Loin with Mincemeat Stuffing Recipe1 Hours 50 Minutes
- Pumpkin Spice Pork Tenderloin Recipe45 Minutes
- Pork Tenderloin Blueberry Reduction Recipe45 Minutes
- Grilled Herb-Crusted Chicken Recipe35 Minutes
- Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Recipe45 Minutes
Leave a Reply