A heartwarming and satisfying vegetarian take on a classic comfort food, this Lentil Shepherd’s Pie is packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients. It’s the perfect meatless meal for a cozy evening.
Author:Eleanor Langley
Prep Time:25 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour
Total Time:1 hour 25 minutes
Yield:6 servings
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking
Cuisine:British-inspired
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
4 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Topping:
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered
1/4 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
2 tablespoons butter (dairy or non-dairy)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
Stir in garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, tomato paste, and soy sauce to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until lentils are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
While the lentils are simmering, cook the potatoes. Place the quartered potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.
Drain the potatoes well and return them to the pot. Add milk and butter. Mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the lentil mixture to a baking dish.
Spoon the mashed potato topping evenly over the lentil filling. You can create decorative peaks with a fork if desired.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a richer topping, you can add a handful of shredded cheese to the mashed potatoes before spreading them on top.
Feel free to add other vegetables to the lentil filling, such as peas, corn, or mushrooms.