Beef Shepherds Pie Sweet Potato (Printable Version)
A cozy British dish with savory beef and golden sweet potato mash topping.
# What You Need:
→ Sweet Potato Topping
01 - 1.2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 3 tablespoons milk or dairy-free alternative
04 - Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Beef Filling
05 - 1 lb lean ground beef
06 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 medium carrots, diced
09 - 1 cup frozen peas
10 - 1 celery stalk, diced
11 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
12 - 1 cup beef broth
13 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
14 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
16 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
17 - Salt and black pepper to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F for baking.
02 - Place sweet potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until tender. Drain and return to the pot.
03 - Add butter, milk, salt, and pepper to sweet potatoes. Mash until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic, carrots, and celery; cook for another 5 minutes.
05 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
06 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 2 minutes to develop flavors.
07 - Pour in beef broth and bring to a simmer. Add peas, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
08 - Transfer beef mixture to an 8x8 inch baking dish. Spoon sweet potato mash over the beef, spreading evenly. Create ridges with a fork for a crispy top.
09 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and filling is bubbling.
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The natural sweetness of the potatoes balances the rich, savory beef filling in ways regular white potatoes never could
- Everything happens in one pan plus a pot, meaning less cleanup and more time for second helpings
02 -
- The sweet potato mash can be made ahead and kept warm, giving you time to clean up before assembling
- Creating those ridges with your fork is not just for looks, they create extra crispy edges that everyone fights over
03 -
- Drain any excess fat from the beef before adding the broth to keep the filling rich but not greasy
- Taste and adjust the seasoning of both the potatoes and filling before assembling