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  • My Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie Is A Cozy Twist On The Classic
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Make Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
  • My Recipe Tips
  • Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
  • Serving Ideas
  • Meal Prep Options
  • Recipe Reviews

My Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie Is A Cozy Twist On The Classic

Maya in the kitchen. - 1

I came up with this recipe one day when I had made a double batch of mashed sweet potatoes and realized I only needed half. Instead of letting the rest go to waste, I turned it into sweet potato shepherd’s pie . Technically it’s more of a cottage pie since it uses beef instead of lamb, but I drew my inspiration from the shepherd’s pie I tried in the U.K. Call it what you like, but this version has quickly become a regular comfort meal in my house. Here’s why it’s a winner:

  • Comforting, hearty flavor – The beef, veggies, and savory sauce give it that classic cozy feel, while the sweet potato topping adds a touch of sweetness and extra depth. It’s that sweet-and-savory balance that makes this one so good.
  • Better-for-you ingredients – Most shepherd’s pie recipes use regular mashed potatoes, but I love the flavor and extra nutrients from sweet potatoes. And, if you want a low carb twist, try my cauliflower shepherd’s pie instead.
  • Quick to prep – Even from scratch, this dish comes together in under an hour. And if you already have leftover mashed sweet potatoes (like I did the first time I made it), the whole thing is even faster.
  • Make-ahead friendly – This one reheats beautifully and freezes well, so it’s great for meal prep or stocking the freezer.

Whether you call it shepherd’s pie or cottage pie, this version is always a hit at my table. Make it with me and see for yourself.

Maya's signature. - 2

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my sweet potato shepherd’s pie recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes – You can mash them however you like, but I usually stick with my favorite version : sweet potatoes, butter, garlic, milk, sea salt, and black pepper. It’s creamy, flavorful, and makes the perfect topping. If you already have leftover mash on hand, that works too.
  • Ground Meat – I usually grab 85/15 ground beef for the best flavor, but really, any kind will work. Ground turkey or chicken are good lighter options, and I’ve also made this with ground lamb for a more traditional taste. For a vegetarian version, try black beans, lentils, tofu, or even your favorite plant-based meat.
  • Olive Oil – I use it for sautéing, but avocado oil or any neutral cooking oil works too.
  • Aromatics – Onions and garlic give the filling so much flavor. I like using fresh garlic (about 3 cloves), but if I’m out, 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder works fine.
  • Vegetables – I went classic with peas and carrots. Fresh or frozen both work great, and if you want to bulk it up, toss in celery, corn, green beans, mushrooms, zucchini, or whatever leftover veggies you have hanging around. Just increase the broth and tomato paste a bit if you add extras, so the filling stays saucy.
  • Sauce – My sauce is super simple, just beef broth and tomato paste . Sometimes I’ll use bone broth for extra richness, and if you like a little more punch, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
  • Seasonings – I use Italian seasoning , sea salt, and black pepper to keep things easy. Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme also add a nice touch if you have them.
Labeled recipe ingredients: Mashed sweet potatoes, ground beef, peas, carrots, onion, garlic, broth, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.  - 3

How To Make Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

  1. Make the mash. Follow my mashed sweet potato recipe here . Boil the sweet potatoes until tender, then drain and pat dry. Mash them up with butter, garlic, a splash of milk, salt, and pepper until creamy.
  2. Cook the aromatics and beef. In a large skillet , sauté the onions in a little oil until browned. Add garlic and seasoning, then stir in the beef with salt and pepper and cook until almost done.
Creamy mashed sweet potatoes in a pot. - 4 Aromatics in a skillet. - 5
  1. Build the sauce. Toss in the carrots, broth, and tomato paste. Let it simmer until the beef is cooked through and the sauce thickens up. Then, stir in the peas and cook for a couple of minutes.
  2. Assemble the pie. Spread the meat mixture into a casserole dish and smooth the sweet potato mash on top.
  3. Bake and serve. Pop sweet potato shepherd’s pie in the oven until hot and bubbly (or golden on the edges, if you like). Let it cool for a few minutes before serving so the filling can settle.
Meat, veggies, and sauce in a skillet. - 6 Assembled shepherd's pie in a baking dish. - 7 Finished sweet potato shepherd's pie recipe. - 8 My Recipe Tips - 9

My Recipe Tips

  • Don’t rush browning the onions. Letting them get a little color brings out their sweetness and adds so much flavor to the filling.
  • I like to dice the carrots small so they cook through quickly. If you like them softer, you can sauté them with the onions instead of adding them later.
  • Peas go in at the end so they stay bright and don’t overcook. If you’re adding extra veggies, make sure to add the heartier ones earlier so they have time to soften.
  • After adding the broth and tomato paste, give the filling a few extra minutes to simmer. It helps everything thicken up and deepens the savory flavor.
  • Bake the sweet potato shepherd’s pie right in the same skillet you used for the filling, so cleanup is super easy. I usually grab a large stainless pan ( this one is my favorite ), but cast iron works great too. Once the meat and veggies are done, just spread the sweet potato mash on top and pop the whole thing in the oven.
  • Run a fork over the sweet potato topping before baking. It makes pretty ridges that brown up nicely in the oven.
  • Rest before serving. It’s tempting to dig right in, but giving the pie a few minutes to rest helps the filling thicken up so it slices and serves more neatly.

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

Ingredients:

  • 1 recipe Mashed sweet potatoes (~4 cups; you can omit the milk if you want the topping thicker) ▢
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil ▢
  • 1 medium White onion (peeled and sliced thinly) ▢
  • 3 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning ▢
  • 1 1/2 lb Ground beef ▢
  • 1 tsp Sea salt ▢
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper ▢
  • 1 cup Carrots (peeled and diced) ▢
  • 1/4 cup Beef broth ▢
  • 1 tbsp Tomato paste ▢
  • 1 cup Peas (fresh or frozen) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

  1. Cook the mashed sweet potatoes according to the instructions here .
  2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven the 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for about 5 minutes , until translucent and slightly browned.
  4. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning. Saute for 1 minute .
  5. Add ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, for 7-8 minutes , until the beef is almost cooked through.
  6. Stir in the carrots, beef broth, and tomato paste. Simmer for 2-4 minutes , until the beef is cooked through and absorbs the extra liquid.
  7. Stir in the peas. Cook for 2 minutes . Adjust salt and pepper to taste, if needed.
  8. Transfer the meat mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish . Spread the mashed sweet potatoes on top with a spoon. If desired, you can make patterns on the surface with a fork.
  9. Bake sweet potato shepherd’s pie for 15 minutes , or longer if you want golden edges.
  10. Remove from the oven and rest for 5 minutes to let the filling settle.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/6 entire casserole

  • Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you build more flavor, get the perfect texture, and the coziest sweet potato shepherd’s pie.
  • Store: While it stores better in an airtight container, it’s difficult to transfer without messing up the layers, so I usually keep leftovers right in the baking dish and cover tightly with plastic wrap.
  • Meal prep: See my meal prep options for assembling ahead, freezing before or after baking, and the best ways to reheat it.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Winter Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Slice of cozy sweet potato pie lifted from baking dish. - 10

Serving Ideas

What I love most about this sweet potato shepherd’s pie recipe is that it makes a complete meal on its own with meat, veggies, and a hearty sweet potato topping, but it’s also great with any of my salad recipes . I especially like to pair it with almond flour biscuits to soak up the sauce, and a simple cucumber tomato salad for a refreshing starter.

Meal Prep Options

  • Store in the fridge: Assemble the sweet potato shepherd’s pie ahead of time (without baking), cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. I find it bakes more evenly if you let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes first.
  • Freeze before baking: Same as above, but add an extra layer of foil over the plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen — just add extra time in the oven.
  • Freeze after baking: The texture is a little better if you freeze before baking, but this way works, too. Let the pie cool, wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, and freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months.
  • How to reheat: If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge. Bake at 350 degrees F until hot all the way through. For individual portions, the microwave works in a pinch, but the oven gives the best results.
Sweet potato shepherd's pie recipe pin. - 11

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • The Basic Keto Meal Formula
  • Understanding Macros
  • Keto Food Swaps
  • Keto Food List
  • Electrolyte Basics
  • Keto Diet Types
  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 12

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Pick A ProteinPick A VeggieAdd Fat
Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder VenisonCauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama CeleryButter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Instead Of This…Eat This
PancakesAlmond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes
OatmealKeto oatmeal with hemp seeds
Cinnamon rollsFathead cinnamon rolls
CerealKeto nut granola
MuffinsAlmond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins
DonutsAlmond flour donuts
SconesAlmond flour scones
High-sugar smoothiesSmoothie with berries or avocado
Hash brownsCauliflower hash browns
Breakfast casseroleBreakfast casserole with no potatoes
Egg whitesWhole eggs
Turkey baconBacon
WafflesChaffles
Keto food swaps - breakfast - 13

Keto Swaps For Bread

Instead Of This…Eat This
BagelsFathead bagels
English muffinAlmond flour English muffin
White breadKeto white bread
Multigrain breadCoconut flour bread with seeds
Tortillas for wrapsCoconut flour tortillas
Corn taco shellsCheddar cheese taco shells
Burger bunsOopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps
BreadsticksCauliflower breadsticks
BiscuitsAlmond flour biscuits
CornbreadAlmond flour cornbread
CroutonsParmesan crisps
RiceCauliflower rice , konjac rice
Keto food swaps - bread and grains - 14

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Instead Of This…Eat This
Breaded wingsCrispy air fryer wings (unbreaded)
Low-fat meat & poultryHigh-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat
Mashed potatoesMashed cauliflower
Roasted potatoesRoasted or fried radishes
TacosTaco salad
PizzaFathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza
LasagnaEggplant lasagna
Potato saladCauliflower “potato” salad
French friesJicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries
Tater totsCauliflower tots
WrapsLettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas
SushiNaruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi
Breaded chicken or fishBreaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds
SpaghettiZoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles
Keto food swaps - meals and sides - 15

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Instead Of This…Eat This
NachosCheese crisps
High-sugar fruitBerries & other keto fruits
CrackersAlmond flour crackers
HummusCauliflower hummus
Soft pretzelsFathead pretzels
PopcornPuffed cheese
Granola barsGrain-free granola bars
JamSugar-free berry chia jam
Sweet fruity yogurtFull-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries
Sweet salad dressingRanch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette
KetchupMustard and/or sugar-free ketchup
BBQ sauceSugar-free BBQ sauce
Sweetened peanut butterNatural, sugar-free nut butters
Light mayoAvocado oil mayo
Maple syrupSugar-free, maple flavored syrup
Potato chipsZucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds
Keto food swaps - snacks and sauces - 16

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Instead Of This…Eat This
SugarMonk fruit or allulose
Powdered sugarPowdered monk fruit or allulose
White flourAlmond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes)
Making baked goods soft/chewyXanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder
BreadcrumbsPork rinds or almond flour
MargarineButter, coconut oil, or ghee
Vegetable oilOlive or avocado oil
BananasBanana extract
Chocolate chipsSugar-free chocolate chips
Cornstarch or flour rouxXanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end)
Simple syrupDissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat
Keto food swaps - baking and cooking - 17

Keto Swaps For Drinks

Instead Of This…Eat This
LemonadeWater with lemon
SodaFlavored sparkling water
MilkAlmond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream
LatteButter coffee
Coffee creamerHeavy cream
Sweet wineDry wine
BeerUltra light beer
Mixed drinksHard liquor with soda + lemon

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto food swaps - drinks - 18

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Keto foods to eat and avoid summary - 19

Foods To Eat On Keto

  • Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
  • Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
  • Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
  • Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
  • Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
  • Avocados
  • Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
  • Almond flour and coconut flour
  • Eggs
  • Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

  • White flour & sugar
  • Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
  • Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
  • Cereal
  • Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
  • Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
  • Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
  • Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
  • Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
  • Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 20

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

SodiumMagnesiumPotassium
Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts PicklesSeaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greensPotassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

  • Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
  • Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
  • Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
  • Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 21

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Sweet potato shepherd's pie in a baking dish. - 22

My sweet potato shepherd’s pie is cozy and hearty with savory beef, veggies, and a creamy sweet potato topping! Comfort food made lighter.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/sweet-potato-shepherds-pie/

Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie - 23 Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie - 24 Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie - 25 Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie - 26

Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • 1 recipe Mashed sweet potatoes (~4 cups; you can omit the milk if you want the topping thicker)
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 medium White onion (peeled and sliced thinly)
  • 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 1/2 lb Ground beef
  • 1 tsp Sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • 1 cup Carrots (peeled and diced)
  • 1/4 cup Beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Tomato paste
  • 1 cup Peas (fresh or frozen)

Instructions

  1. Cook the mashed sweet potatoes according to the instructions here .
  2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven the 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for about 5 minutes , until translucent and slightly browned.
  4. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning. Saute for 1 minute .
  5. Add ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, for 7-8 minutes , until the beef is almost cooked through.
  6. Stir in the carrots, beef broth, and tomato paste. Simmer for 2-4 minutes , until the beef is cooked through and absorbs the extra liquid.
  7. Stir in the peas. Cook for 2 minutes . Adjust salt and pepper to taste, if needed.
  8. Transfer the meat mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish . Spread the mashed sweet potatoes on top with a spoon. If desired, you can make patterns on the surface with a fork.
  9. Bake sweet potato shepherd’s pie for 15 minutes , or longer if you want golden edges.
  10. Remove from the oven and rest for 5 minutes to let the filling settle.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/6 entire casserole

  • Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you build more flavor, get the perfect texture, and the coziest sweet potato shepherd’s pie.
  • Store: While it stores better in an airtight container, it’s difficult to transfer without messing up the layers, so I usually keep leftovers right in the baking dish and cover tightly with plastic wrap.
  • Meal prep: See my meal prep options for assembling ahead, freezing before or after baking, and the best ways to reheat it.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Winter Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)