Easy Shepherd's Pie (Vegetarian Option) Recipe (2024)

Last Updated: By Linnie 5 Comments

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Shepherd’s Pie is everything you need from a savory classic comfort food creation. This one-pot wonder is quick and easy as well as warm and filling. A little slice of comfort food heaven.

(Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian Options)

Easy Shepherd's Pie (Vegetarian Option) Recipe (1)

Now let me just clear the air here regarding a Shepherd’s Pie and a Cottage Pie. Until recently we’ve become aware that Shepherd’s pie indeed is made with lamb. Makes sense. However, coming from a midwest background lamb is not something you see everyday in the grocery store and therefore is why I think midwesterners decided to call it Shepherd’s pie with beef.

In our case we have been making it with our vegetarian meat replacement so at this point I’m not sure what is up or down.

So whatever you may call this recipe just know that it’s delicious and I think you are going to enjoy it – whatever you may call it.

Easy Shepherd’s Pie is a family favorite for many reasons.

  1. It’s so quick to make and only uses ONE POT.
  2. Flavorful and packed with all-natural ingredients.
  3. It’s the husband’s favorite meal ever … that should always be a good excuse to make it, right?
  4. Easily made vegetarian! See Below 🌱

The ability to convert this dish to vegetarian is honestly my favorite reason. When R is deployed, I’ll make it vegetarian by substituting with chopped mushrooms or if I feel like I still need a little protein, I’ll go with ground turkey.

Culinarian Beware: This recipe makes so much! When I’m on my own and don’t want to eat Shepherd’s Pie for 2 weeks straight I have to freeze it and unfortunately the mushrooms don’t hold up well.

But when R is home, ground beef is the key ingredient in his Shepherd’s Pie, no substitution allowed. 😉

Easy Shepherd's Pie (Vegetarian Option) Recipe (2)

How to Make Shepherd’s Pie Vegetarian

Our Vegetarian Meat Replacement recipe is a fabulous alternative to replace the ground beef. Call me crazy, but it is remarkably good and a GREAT option for those who are vegetarian/vegan.

We’ve used this in bolognese sauce, tacos, nachos and now this shepherd’s pie! Unfortunately there are a ton of vegetarian meat replacements out there that actually contain gluten so we’ve been able to enjoy our vegetarian meat replacement naturally and sans the gluten – WIN!

Other ways to enjoy this pie

  • Lean Option – Simply swap ground beef with ground turkey. Easy Peasy.
  • Sweet Potatoes – You already know how much I love sweet potatoes and they are a deliciously suitable replacement for traditional russet potatoes.
  • Slow Cooker – Make this Easy Shepherd’s Pie even easier! Cook all your ingredients like you would, pour into slow cooker and top with potatoes. Allow the flavors to mingle together (on low 2-3 hours).

This is why I love cooking so much, there are so many different ways to adapt recipes and still get to the same place. A place of delicious comfort food that is!

Easy Shepherd's Pie (Vegetarian Option) Recipe (3)

Do you freeze mashed potatoes?

If not, it is something I highly recommend and makes this Shepherd’s Pie easy as a weeknight meal. We all need that, right?

Here are a couple cooking tips for freezing mashed potatoes.

  • If using Russet potatoes, make sure you FULLY prepare them into mashed potatoes before freezing. The more butter and fat in them, the better they freeze and thaw out.
  • This is not the time to skimp on the fat (which I hardly ever recommend anyway), skimping on the fat will result in potatoes becoming very grainy in texture when thawed.

So, while we try to keep warm as the colder weather approaches us we’ll do what we can to keep cozy up here devouring our Shepherd’s Pie.

Easy Shepherd's Pie (Vegetarian Option) Recipe (4)

Easy Shepherd's Pie Recipe (Vegetarian Option)

Main

Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian

British

Easy Shepherd's Pie is everything you need from a savory classic comfort food creation. This one-pot wonder is quick and easy as well as warm and filling. A little slice of comfort food heaven.

Yield: 14

Prep Time:25 min

Cook Time:35 min

Total Time:60 min

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cups carrots, chopped
  • 2 cups frozen peas
  • 1 cup petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¼ cups beef stock

For the Potatoes: Can be made ahead of time.

  • 6 large russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 2 Tablespoons butter (dairy-free butter option)
  • ½ cup milk (or dairy-free butter option)
  • Pinch salt and pepper

Directions:

  • 1. In a large saucepan, boil potatoes until they are fork tender and fall off a fork. Mash potatoes with a immersion blender and cream together butter, milk, salt and pepper.
  • 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • 3. In a 3.5 Quart Dutch oven over medium heat, brown ground beef. Drain the beef fat out.
  • 4. Add onions, carrots. Saute veggies 3-4 minutes, or until veggies are tender.
  • 5. Stir in peas, tomatoes, basil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, cornstarch, and beef stock.
  • 6. Spoon mashed potatoes over pie filling. Place lid onto dutch oven and into the oven 30-35 minutes.

Author: Linnie

Recipe Video:

Nutrition Information:

Serving size: 1
Calories: 180
Other nutrition information: Total Fat: 8g , Saturated Fat: 3.5g , Trans Fat: 0g , Cholesterol: 25mg , Sodium: 220mg , Total Carb: 18g , Dietary Fiber: 3g , Total Sugars: 3g , Protein: 8g

Recipe, images, and text © Veggie Balance

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Easy Shepherd's Pie (Vegetarian Option) Recipe (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!

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.

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.

Are the ingredients for shepherds pie? ›

Shepherd's Pie Ingredients

Here's what you'll need: Ground Beef: You could also ground lamb if you prefer. Mashed Potatoes: Use starchy potatoes (like russet or Yukon Gold) for the best mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes are also made with butter, onion, and Cheddar cheese.

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? ›

Claim Jumper. Easily located in the frozen dessert section of several standard grocery stores, Claim Jumper makes snagging a vegan pie a breeze. Fruit pies—including apple, peach, and razzleberry flavors—make up their vegan varieties.

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.

Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? ›

Classic shepherd's pie is made with ground lamb, gravy, mashed potatoes, and veggies like peas, corn, celery, and carrots. Why is my shepherd's pie soggy? Avoid a soggy pie by simmering the meat mixture for at least 8 minutes. Be sure to cook down the mixture to remove excess moisture.

How is shepherd's pie originally made? ›

And, by doing so, the humble shepherd's pie was born. Originally, the dish contained a pastry shell at the bottom, top, or both. Over time, this morphed into potato slices at the bottom and top of savory minced lamb meat, until it eventually became a topping of mashed potatoes.

Why put flour in shepherd's pie? ›

Flour: Used to thicken the filling, creating a sauce to coat the ingredients. Stock: Beef stock or broth enhances the meaty taste of the filling.

What to eat with shepherd's pie? ›

What to Serve With Shepherd's Pie: 20 Delicious Ideas for a Comforting Dinner
  • 01 of 21. Amazingly Easy Irish Soda Bread. ...
  • 02 of 21. Classic Caesar Salad. ...
  • 03 of 21. Honey Roasted Carrots. ...
  • 04 of 21. Quick and Easy Yorkshire Pudding. ...
  • 05 of 21. Green Salad. ...
  • 06 of 21. Roasted Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • 07 of 21. Great Garlic Bread. ...
  • 08 of 21.
Feb 7, 2024

Is shepherd's pie good for you? ›

This ultimate comfort food can be quite unhealthy, with lots of butter in the mash and pushing up your saturated fat intake. Here are a few ideas to make this classic a little healthier and just as tasty.

Why does shepherd's pie need to go in the oven? ›

Both ingredients are already cooked so it really only needs to be in the oven long enough for the potato to form a golden brown crust on top. Minced or ground beef is used for a Cottage Pie not a Shepherds pie.

Does shepherd's pie have cheese in it? ›

The dish often includes cheese and chicken; cod is sometimes used instead of beef. The filling is similar to that of a cottage pie, with the addition of sliced hard-boiled eggs. Similar to cottage pie; may also contain peppers.

Why does my shepherd pie fall apart? ›

How do you keep shepherd's pie from falling apart? Make sure your casserole dish is the right size. You should also have firm mashed potatoes so it won't fall apart when you're serving. As you put the topping on, don't press too hard, using a gentle touch to smooth it out.

What are vegan mince pies made of? ›

🍰 Vegan Mince Pie Ingredients

Raisins & Currants: The main body of the mincemeat filling! Chopped Mixed Peel: There for that extra zesty sweetness and a little chunky bite. Shredded Vegetable Suet: It's like firm, shredded vegetable shortening. Dark Brown Sugar: Mmm, winter warmer!

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.

Where is shepherds pie made from? ›

shepherd's pie, dish of British Isles origin that makes use of vegetables and chopped meat cooked in a casserole topped with or surrounded by mashed potatoes.

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.

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