Ingredients
Scale
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
For the Meat Filling:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pounds ground lamb (or ground beef)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 cups beef or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Sweet Potatoes:
- Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to medium-high and cook for 15-20 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and easily pierced.
- Drain the sweet potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot. Add butter, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg if using.
- Mash until smooth and creamy, adjusting milk as needed for your preferred consistency. Set aside.
Make the Meat Filling:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground lamb (or beef) to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the meat is browned and cooked through.
- Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 2 minutes to let the flavors blend.
- Sprinkle the flour over the meat mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually add the broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add the frozen peas and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble and Bake:
- If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer the meat mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Spread the sweet potato mash evenly over the top of the meat filling, using a fork to create some texture on the surface.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the sweet potato topping is lightly golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
- Let the shepherd’s pie rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set up slightly.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes