Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie (2024)

Warm and cozy Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie has a meaty texture from Lentils and vegetables, a flavourful wine-based gravy, and then topped with a creamy layer of mashed potato.Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie (1)

This Vegetarian Shepherd’s pie is as delicious as the Classic one. Lentils, Mushrooms, carrots, and peas are coated with a herb and wine-infused thick gravy. There is a thick layer of creamy mashed potato on the top baked until slightly crispy around the edges but still creamy underneath.

Flavours In Your Inbox

Subscribe for recipes straight to your inbox

An amazing Meatless dish, that will make you forget the meat version of Shepherd’s pie for a while.

A great dish to make ahead of time. In the case of leftovers, can easily be stored in the freezer. If you are having leftover mashed potato from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, then you know how to use it up.

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie (2)How to Make Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie

I know, it doesn’t sound convincing when I tell you that the filling is delicious and you won’t miss the usual beef filling in this Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie. Lentils, mushrooms, and vegetables when slowly baked in a thick sauce create a magical and flavourful gravy. The mushroom gives the umami to the gravy.

Lentil gives body to the filling. I like to use brown/green lentils. Cook lentils just until tender and add to the filling. Along with texture, the protein content of lentil compensates for the beef.

Start with Sauteeing Onion, garlic, celery, carrot, bay leaf, and fresh herbs. When aromatic add Mushroom. Saute Mushroom until it softens. Then goes the lentils, tomato paste, and flour. If you are not a fan of lentils, then increase the amount of mushroom, carrot, and peas to compensate.

Red wine adds a depth of flavor to the dish. Use any kind of wine you have in hand.

Other vegetables you can use is corn, red pepper, green beans. I prefer to add a combination of 3-4 vegetables, not more.

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie (3)

Mashed Potato Toppings

A thick blanket of creamy fluffy mashed potato on top makes the dish complete. Use your favorite mashed Potato recipe or any leftover mashed potato here. For the vegan version, use coconut milk / Olive oil for the mash.

Use a Yukon gold potato or a mix of Yukon gold and russet potatoes. To make it easier and fast, peel potatoes, cut into cubes, and cook in well-seasoned water. I have added heavy cream and butter to the mashed potato. For more rich version add 1/4 cup of cream cheese or while baking top it with some shredded cheddar cheese.

Prepping ahead and Storing Leftover Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie

This can be easily prepared ahead. Assemble the pie in an oven-safe pan. Cover tightly with a double layer of foil and refrigerate it for 1-2 days. Remove from the refrigerator 30-40 minutes before baking and bake as per instruction.

In case of leftover, cover tightly with a foil and store up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

More Vegetarian Recipes…

VEGETABLE LENTIL SOUP
CREAMY BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO
LEMON GARLIC KALE PASTA

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie (4)

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie (5)

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, British

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Warm and cozy Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie has a meaty texture from Lentils and vegetables, a flavourful wine-based gravy, and then topped with a creamy layer of mashed potato.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 large Onion Finely Chopped
  • ½ tablespoon Fresh Garlic minced
  • ¾ cup Celery 2-3 stalks
  • 3 Carrots about 1 cup, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon Fresh Rosemary Chopped
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 400 grams Mushroom
  • 1 cup Cooked Brown Lentil
  • cup Tomato Paste
  • 2 tablespoon Flour
  • 1.5 cup Frozen Peas
  • ½ cup Red wine
  • 1.5 cups Vegetable Broth
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust as per taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon Pepper

For Mashed Potato

  • 6-7 large potatoes (around 2 pounds)
  • cup butter
  • ½ cup Heavy Cream
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

For Mashed Potato

  • Clean, Peel, and cube Potatoes. Cook in salted water until just tender. Drain and using a potato ricer or masher mash potato. While it is still warm mix in cream and butter. Adjust seasoning. Mix until it is creamy.

For Vegetable Filling

  • Heat oil in a pan. Add chopped onion, garlic, celery, chopped carrot. bay leaf and herbs. Saute for one minute.

  • Add Sliced Mushrooms. Saute for another 1-2 minutes.

  • Add Cooked lentil, tomato paste and flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes.

  • Add wine, vegetable stock. Mix well, season with salt and pepper. Let it cook on medium heat until the gravy starts to thicken.

  • Remove bay leaf. Switch off the flame. Stir in frozen peas.

  • In an oven-proof pan put the vegetable gravy. Top with mashed potato in an even layer.

  • Bake for 20-22 mins @ 350 F. For a crispy brown top, towards the end, set the oven to Broil mode and broil for 5-6 minutes.

  • Remove from oven, sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve.

Video

Notes

  • I have used a 2.5-3 inch deep 8X8 baking dish. There was a little leftover which didn't fit to the pan, so the extra I baked separately in a ramekin. Use a 9X13 inch pan instead.
  • Instead of cooking in a separate pan, Cook the gravy is an ovenproof pan. Then to the same pan, spread mashed potato and bake.

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 562kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 717mg | Potassium: 2301mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 6383IU | Vitamin C: 66mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 15mg

Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @theflavoursofkitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #theflavoursofkitchen

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan shepherds pie made of? ›

This Vegan Shepherd's Pie has pure comfort in every bite! The filling combines mushrooms, ground walnuts, grated carrots, and onions for a meaty mince that is savory and satisfying!

What is shepherd's pie normally made of? ›

It's traditionally made with minced meat (usually ground lamb), gravy, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. You may also hear it called "cottage pie." The two terms are used interchangeably, but technically traditional shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb and traditional cottage pie is made with ground beef.

What is cottage pie made of? ›

There is quite often confusion over the difference between Shepherd's Pie and Cottage Pie. Both are made the same way – a beef mince filling in a gravy sauce that is topped with mashed potato, sprinkled with parmesan then baked.

Does shepherd's pie have gravy in it? ›

Talk about satisfying. Ground beef, vegetables, and gravy are baked under pillowy mashed potatoes. If it's not yet already, this will soon be a family favorite recipe.

Is shepherds pie and cottage pie the same? ›

The main difference between Cottage Pie and Shepherd's pie is cottage pie uses ground beef, and Shepherd's pie uses ground lamb. Both pies are cooked with vegetables and gravy and baked under a layer of mashed potatoes. To make Shepherd's pie using this recipe, simply substitute ground lamb.

What brand of pie is vegan? ›

Freshly baked desserts are made easy with OG freezer brand Sara Lee. All fruit pies are vegan, so opt for a Dutch Apple, Lattice Peach, or Mince Pie.

Why do Irish people eat shepherd's pie? ›

It's called cottage pie in the U.K. because they use beef and in Ireland since the shepherds tend sheep, it's shepherd's pie. No doubt, the English put out an excellent cottage pie, but in Ireland it used to be a delicacy since the Irish couldn't afford beef they repurposed any unused veggies and meat.

Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? ›

A good shepherd's – or indeed cottage – pie, needs a solid, but fluffy top: too much milk or butter, and you'll end up with a sloppy puree instead.

What can I use to thicken my shepherd's pie? ›

The easiest way to thicken shepherd's pie filling is by sprinkling a few tablespoons of flour into the ground beef mixture as it cooks before adding it to the baking dish. The starch in the flour will absorb the extra liquid and create a thick gravy.

What is Cumberland pie made of? ›

Minced beef with turnip, onion and swede in a rich, red wine gravy, topped with mashed potato.

What can I use instead of tomato paste in cottage pie? ›

How to Substitute Tomato Sauce or Puree for Tomato Paste. You don't have to dash out to the store if you're out of tomato paste; tomato sauce and tomato puree are both an excellent substitute. For every 1 tablespoon of tomato paste needed, use 3 tablespoons of tomato puree or sauce.

What can I use instead of Worcestershire in shepherd's pie? ›

Soy sauce: Soy sauce offers a savory, umami-rich flavor that can substitute for Worcestershire sauce. Use it in equal parts or adjust to taste. Balsamic vinegar: Balsamic vinegar adds a slightly sweet and tangy flavor, similar to Worcestershire sauce. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

Does shepherd's pie have cheese in it? ›

The Shepherd's Pie has saucy ground meat and vegetables covered in a a mashed potato crust, sprinkled with shredded cheese, and baked to bubbly perfection.

Why is flour used in shepherds pie? ›

This shepherd's pie recipe uses 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken the gravy but if you feel like the meat mixture is too watery, add in another tablespoon and stir to combine. You may also try simmering the mince mixture for longer so that the stock reduces down and thickens.

What is vegan pie crust made of? ›

To make the dough:

Add the flour, salt and sugar into a large bowl and whisk to combine. Cut the vegetable shortening into cubes and scatter into the flour. Use a fork or pastry cutter to slice the vegetable shortening into the flour until you reach a crumbly texture.

What are vegan mince pies made of? ›

A: Mince pies are made from shortcrust pastry. This usually involves flour, sugar and butter but vegan varieties use vegan butter or coconut oil instead.

Can you get vegan pies? ›

Overview of Vegan Pie Varieties

One of the best things about eating vegan pies is getting to enjoy the vast amount of vegan pie varieties and different flavours that are blended together to create exquisite flavours, such as: Vegan shepherds pie. Squash, spinach and feta. Vegan 'cheese' and onion.

Is A Mcdonald's pie vegan? ›

This one is a slightly complex one to answer. Whilst all of the pie's ingredients are vegan-friendly (including the crispy pastry casing) the oil that is used to fry the pies can't be guaranteed vegan-friendly.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Madonna Wisozk

Last Updated:

Views: 5460

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Madonna Wisozk

Birthday: 2001-02-23

Address: 656 Gerhold Summit, Sidneyberg, FL 78179-2512

Phone: +6742282696652

Job: Customer Banking Liaison

Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making

Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.