| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 50 mins – 60 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 350 | 12g | 2g | 53g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 9g | 13g | 14g | 1g |
Why I Love American Sweet Potato and Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
There’s something truly comforting and warming about a hearty dish like Sweet Potato and Lentil Shepherd’s Pie. It’s luscious, satisfying, and carries that alluring taste of home. Nestled in every forkful of its, spirited and robust flavors, I find a delightful mingling of diverse culinary affinities.
A Blend of Cultures
In my Texas-based upbringing, the amalgamation of Southern and Tex-Mex cuisines played a significant role, shaping my palette and cooking styles. While the Sweet Potato and Lentil Shepherd’s Pie is a classic American dish, I find a hint of my heritage in it. It reminds me of the comforting pies my grandmother used to make on crisp autumn evenings, but with a contemporary reimagination.
A nod to the traditional Shepherd’s Pie, this version holds a unique twist. It swaps the usual ingredients for lentils and hearty sweet potatoes. The presence of the diverse range of veggies, lentils, and herbs render a texture and flavor profile that is entirely unique, yet strangely familiar. From the classic Shepherd’s Pie to the Southern style cornbread, this recipe harks back to those dishes, but does so with its own unique twist.
Inspiration for the Recipe
This recipe was inspired by the well-known American chef, Guy Fieri‘s take on comfort food—full of flavor and satisfying heartiness. His adventurous appeal towards cooking and experimenting with flavors and textures motivated me to introduce my version of this beloved dish. But it’s not just him; every home cook, every story, and every ingredient shaped this unique recipe.
As with all one-pot-meals, this Sweet Potato and Lentil Shepherd’s Pie is versatile too. It can be paired with a refreshing green salad, a crusty slice of bread, or served with a side of creamy coleslaw.The possibilities with this dish are truly endless.
So whether you’re a foodie looking to experiment with traditional American dishes or someone who enjoys a heart-warming meal, I encourage you to try this delightful Sweet Potato and Lentil Shepherd’s Pie.
Happy Cooking!
What You’ll Need
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 cup of dried lentils, rinsed
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) of diced tomatoes
- 2 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon of dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon of dried thyme
- 1/2 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons of margarine
Method
Step One
Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While waiting for the oven to reach the desired temperature, take your peeled and cubed sweet potatoes and boil them in a large pot until they become tender. This should take around 20 minutes.
Step Two
While your sweet potatoes are boiling, heat the olive oil in a separate large skillet over a medium heat. Add in the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until they are both golden brown.
Step Three
Next, add the diced carrots, celery, and red bell pepper to the skillet with the sautéed onion and garlic and sauté until the vegetables are tender. Afterward, add in the rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, dried rosemary, and dried thyme. Season with salt and black pepper to your liking and let the mixture simmer over a low heat for around 20 minutes.
Step Four
Once your sweet potatoes are tender, drain them well and transfer them to a large bowl. Add the unsweetened almond milk and margarine to the bowl and mash the sweet potatoes using a potato masher or a fork until they become smooth.
Step Five
By this time, your lentil and vegetable mixture should be well-simmered and your sweet potatoes should be smooth. Pour the lentil and vegetable mixture into a large baking dish, and top it with your mashed sweet potatoes.
Step Six
Finally, place the large baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the sweet potatoes have a golden-brown crust. Afterward, remove from the oven and garnish your Sweet Potato and Lentil Shepherd’s Pie with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
