Beef Shepherds Pie Sweet Potato (Printable)

Savory ground beef and veggies topped with creamy sweet potato mash, baked until golden and bubbling.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sweet Potato Topping

01 - 3.3 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
02 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1/4 cup milk or dairy-free alternative
04 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Beef Filling

05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 medium carrots, diced
09 - 2 celery stalks, diced
10 - 1.65 lbs ground beef
11 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
12 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
14 - 3/4 cup beef stock, gluten-free if needed
15 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, gluten-free if needed
16 - 1 cup frozen peas
17 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Step-by-step:

01 - Place sweet potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15–20 minutes until tender. Drain well.
02 - Mash sweet potatoes with butter and milk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
04 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, beef stock, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly.
06 - Stir in frozen peas and cook for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
07 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Transfer beef filling to a 2-quart baking dish. Spread sweet potato mash evenly over the beef mixture. Use a fork to create ridges for a decorative finish.
08 - Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until topping is lightly browned and filling is bubbling. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sweet potato crust caramelizes beautifully while staying creamy underneath
  • Everything cooks in one pan except the potatoes, meaning less cleanup
  • This reheats miraculously well for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Dont overmash the sweet potatoes or they can become gluey
  • Letting the beef mixture thicken properly prevents a soggy bottom
  • The ridges you make with your fork arent just pretty, they get crispy and golden
03 -
  • Use a large shallow baking dish for more surface area and crispy topping
  • Warming the milk before adding it helps the mash absorb better

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