This vegan shepherd's pie is a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for any occasion. With a savory filling of lentils and mixed vegetables, topped with creamy mashed potatoes, it's a satisfying meal that everyone will love.
If you don't usually cook vegan dishes, you might not have vegan butter or plant-based milk in your pantry. These can be found in the dairy-free section of most supermarkets. Additionally, lentils are a key ingredient and can be found in the dried beans section or canned goods aisle.
Ingredients for Vegan Shepherd's Pie
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and adding richness to the dish.
Onion: Adds a sweet and savory flavor to the filling.
Garlic: Provides a pungent and aromatic base for the dish.
Mixed vegetables: A combination of carrots, peas, and corn for a variety of textures and flavors.
Lentils: A protein-packed legume that forms the bulk of the filling.
Vegetable broth: Adds moisture and depth of flavor to the filling.
Tomato paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that enriches the filling.
Thyme: An herb that adds earthy and slightly minty notes.
Rosemary: An aromatic herb that provides a pine-like flavor.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and complexity.
Potatoes: The base for the creamy mashed potato topping.
Vegan butter: Adds creaminess and richness to the mashed potatoes.
Plant-based milk: Helps to achieve a smooth and creamy texture in the mashed potatoes.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When mashing potatoes, make sure they are still hot. This ensures a smoother texture and prevents them from becoming gummy. Additionally, using a potato ricer or food mill can help achieve an even creamier consistency.
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 leek: Leeks offer a milder flavor and similar texture when cooked, making them a good alternative.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor that can enhance the dish without overpowering it.
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 a slightly different texture that can add variety to the dish.
vegetable broth - Substitute with mushroom broth: Mushroom broth provides a rich, umami flavor that can enhance the depth of the dish.
tomato paste - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes can provide a similar tomato flavor and thickness, though you may need to adjust the quantity.
thyme - Substitute with oregano: Oregano offers a robust, earthy flavor that can complement the other herbs in the dish.
rosemary - Substitute with sage: Sage provides a slightly different but equally aromatic flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
potatoes - Substitute with cauliflower: Cauliflower can be mashed to create a similar texture and is a lower-carb alternative.
vegan butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can provide the necessary fat content and a rich flavor for the mashed potatoes.
plant-based milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk offers a creamy texture and a subtle flavor that can enhance the mashed potatoes.
salt and pepper - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty, umami flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Other 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 before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
For short-term storage, transfer the shepherd's pie to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
If you plan to freeze the shepherd's pie, portion it out into individual servings or keep it whole, depending on your preference. Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags to prevent freezer burn.
Label the containers with the date and contents to keep track of freshness. The shepherd's pie can be frozen for up to 2 months.
When ready to reheat, if frozen, thaw the shepherd's pie in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture of the mashed potatoes and vegetable filling.
Reheat the shepherd's pie in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. If reheating from frozen, it may take an additional 10-15 minutes.
To prevent the mashed potatoes from drying out during reheating, cover the dish with aluminum foil. Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating to allow the top to crisp up.
For a quicker reheating option, use a microwave. Place a portion of the shepherd's pie in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or wrap, and heat on medium power for 3-5 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
Always check the internal temperature of the reheated shepherd's pie to ensure it reaches at least 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
Enjoy your reheated vegan shepherd's pie with a fresh side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Transfer the leftover Vegan Shepherd's Pie to an oven-safe dish if it's not already in one.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the mashed potatoes from drying out.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to let the top get crispy.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the reheated goodness!
Microwave Method:
- Place a portion of the Vegan Shepherd's Pie on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to keep the moisture in.
- Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to stir and ensure even heating.
- If not heated through, continue in 30-second intervals until hot.
- Let it sit for a minute before digging in.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add a small amount of olive oil or vegan butter to the skillet.
- Place a portion of the Vegan Shepherd's Pie in the skillet, breaking it up slightly to ensure even heating.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once heated through, serve immediately and enjoy the slightly crispy bottom layer.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place a portion of the Vegan Shepherd's Pie in the air fryer basket, ensuring it's spread out evenly.
- Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it's not drying out.
- Once heated through and the top is crispy, remove and let it cool for a minute before serving.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the shepherd's pie until the top is golden brown.
Skillet: Used to sauté the onion, garlic, and mixed vegetables.
Pot: Used to boil the potatoes until tender.
Baking dish: Used to transfer the vegetable and lentil mixture and spread the mashed potatoes on top.
Knife: Used to chop the onion and peel the potatoes.
Cutting board: Used as a surface for chopping the onion and peeling the potatoes.
Wooden spoon: Used to stir the vegetables and lentil mixture.
Potato masher: Used to mash the boiled potatoes with vegan butter and plant-based milk.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the lentils, vegetable broth, and plant-based milk.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil, tomato paste, thyme, and rosemary.
Colander: Used to drain the boiled potatoes.
Spatula: Used to spread the mashed potatoes evenly on top of the vegetable and lentil mixture.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Chop the onion, garlic, and mixed vegetables ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.
Use pre-cooked lentils: Save time by using canned or pre-cooked lentils instead of cooking them from scratch.
Microwave potatoes: Speed up the potato cooking process by microwaving them instead of boiling.
One-pot method: Cook the vegetable mixture and lentils in the same pot to reduce cleanup time.
Batch cooking: Make a larger batch and freeze portions for quick meals later.
Vegan Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
- 1 cup lentils, cooked
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- to taste salt and pepper
Mashed Potato Topping
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- ¼ cup vegan butter
- ¼ cup plant-based milk
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until softened.
- Add mixed vegetables and cook for a few minutes. Stir in cooked lentils, vegetable broth, tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, boil potatoes in a pot of salted water until tender. Drain and mash with vegan butter, plant-based milk, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer the vegetable and lentil mixture to a baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes evenly on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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