🌱 Vegan Lentil Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins

🧾 Ingredients:

For the Sweet Potato Mash:

• 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 tbsp olive oil or vegan butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin (optional, for a warm touch)

For the Lentil Filling:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 400g) diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups vegetable broth (or water)
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup frozen peas (optional, but adds a nice color and flavor)

🍳 Instructions:

1. Make the Sweet Potato Mash:
   • In a large pot, bring the sweet potatoes to a boil in salted water. Cook until soft (about 10–15 minutes).
   • Drain and return to the pot. Add olive oil or vegan butter, almond milk, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
2. Make the Lentil Filling:
   • In a large skillet or pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
   • Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
   • Stir in the lentils, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable broth, thyme, rosemary, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
   • Let it simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and the mixture thickens. Add peas in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
3. Assemble the Shepherd’s Pie:
   • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Transfer the lentil filling into a baking dish (8×8 or similar size).
   • Spoon the sweet potato mash on top of the lentils, spreading it out evenly. Use a fork to create a pattern on top for extra texture.
   • (Optional) Brush the top with a bit of olive oil or vegan butter for a golden finish.
4. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until the top is slightly golden and crispy.
5. Serve: Let it cool for a few minutes, then serve warm.