Nutritious Dish for Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

This Healthy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Recipe is warm and tasty, crafted from lean ground turkey, vibrant vegetables, flavorful homemade gravy, and topped with lighter mashed potatoes. It offers a wholesome spin on a timeless comfort food that your entire family will enjoy!

I truly grew up enjoying traditional shepherd’s pie, as my mother prepared it for us weekly. She appreciated that it encapsulated all the food groups in a single uncomplicated casserole dish for dinner, and it was undeniably delicious! This healthier rendition of shepherd’s pie adds a twist to the beloved comfort food by incorporating veggies, lean ground turkey, rich homemade gravy, and topping it with my lighter mashed potatoes. What makes them healthier? They’re infused with hidden vegetables as well! I hope your family relishes this dish at their dinner table.

Why You’ll Cherish This

• High in protein – this recipe utilizes ground turkey instead of ground lamb or beef, which lowers the saturated fat while delivering 22 grams of protein per serving.
• Extra vegetables – we’re enhancing the filling with additional veggies for a boost in fiber, vitamins, and essential nutrients, plus we’re incorporating a whole head of cauliflower into the mashed topping!
• Lighter mash – you’ll be thrilled with my healthy mashed potato recipe, where we halve the potatoes and mix in a whole head of cauliflower for a creamy yet lower-carb topping. Mashed cauliflower can also be used.
• Customizable – feel free to personalize this healthy shepherd’s pie recipe with various veggies and lean protein options.
• Perfect for gatherings – this simple recipe yields a generous amount, making it perfect for feeding a crowd, and we adore this comforting casserole for meal prepping!

What Separates Shepherd’s Pie from Cottage Pie?

Traditional shepherd’s pie is made exclusively with ground lamb, derived from shepherds caring for their sheep. Cottage pie, on the other hand, uses ground beef.

Ingredients Required

• ground turkey – I opted for 93% lean ground turkey, and while you could choose an even leaner option, it may result in a drier and less flavorful dish. Ground chicken, extra-lean ground beef, or ground pork are also viable alternatives.
• vegetables – we include diced onions, celery, and carrots alongside frozen corn and peas. I also incorporated an entire head of cauliflower into the mashed potatoes.
• olive oil – I prefer using a good quality olive oil for sautéing the vegetables. There’s no need for it to be expensive; just ensure it’s cold-pressed and organic for maximum flavor.
• mashed potatoes – I always follow this recipe that combines Yukon gold (or russet) potatoes with cauliflower. Feel free to use your preferred mashed potato method. You can also mix in a bit of cheddar cheese for added flavor.
• flour – just 2 tablespoons of flour is necessary to thicken the mixture. I utilized gluten-free flour for a gluten-free shepherd’s pie, but all-purpose flour or any preferred flour would work.
• chicken broth – you require 1 cup of chicken broth, but beef broth, vegetable broth, or any stock on hand can be used instead.
• tomato paste – just a tablespoon of tomato paste is needed for rich tomato flavor and to thicken the gravy a bit. You can alternatively use tomato sauce.
• worcestershire sauce – a flavor enhancer!
• garlic – fresh chopped garlic cloves or minced garlic from a jar are recommended, though garlic powder can suffice in a hurry.
• fresh herbs – a mix of fresh thyme leaves and rosemary.
• salt and black pepper – necessary for seasoning the shepherd’s pie and enhancing its flavor.

Steps to Create Healthy Shepherd’s Pie

1. Cook potatoes and cauliflower. In a large pot of salted water on the stove, add only the potatoes (saving the cauliflower for later). Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, covering the pot. Let the potatoes simmer for about 15 minutes. Introduce the fresh cauliflower florets and maintain simmering for another 8-9 minutes until both the cauliflower and potatoes are soft and tender enough to pierce with a fork.
2. Prepare the mashed potatoes. Drain the cooked potatoes and cauliflower, then return them to the pot or a large bowl. Incorporate the milk, Greek yogurt, chicken broth, butter, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper. Using a potato masher, mash until smooth, or mix with an electric mixer for a creamy consistency.
3. Brown the meat. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat a tablespoon of olive oil. Add the ground turkey, breaking it apart while cooking for about 5 minutes. Move the cooked turkey to a plate and set aside.
4. Sauté the vegetables. In the same skillet, drizzle another tablespoon of olive oil and include the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until the veggies soften.
5. Create the meat filling. Return the ground turkey to the pan, seasoning with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the meat with flour and mix well, cooking for an additional minute. Add the tomato paste, chicken broth, worcestershire sauce, and chopped herbs. Bring to a boil, lessen the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for approximately 10-12 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Assemble the casserole. Add frozen corn and peas to the turkey mixture, blending it well, and pour it evenly into a casserole dish. Carefully layer the mashed potatoes on top, smoothing it into an even surface with a spatula or the back end of a wooden spoon.
7. Bake and serve. Bake the shepherd’s pie at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbling. Before serving, garnish the mashed potatoes with fresh thyme or parsley.

Variations

• Additional veggies – you can add some shredded or diced zucchini, fresh mushrooms, green beans, sweet potatoes, or any other vegetables you prefer.
• Extra protein – while this recipe features lean ground turkey, you can stir in some cooked quinoa or chickpeas for an added protein boost.
• Dairy-free option – to create a dairy-free version, just replace the milk in the mashed potatoes with almond milk or coconut milk. You can also substitute Greek yogurt (or sour cream) with a dairy-free alternative.
• Vegan option – replace the ground turkey with lentils or a plant-based meat substitute for a vegan or vegetarian shepherd’s pie. Additionally, swap the milk for coconut milk or almond milk in the mash.
• Low carb option – I made this using my healthy mashed potato recipe, but feel free to use my easy cauliflower mash for a lower-carb variant.
• Sweet potatoes – for an added nutrition boost, utilize mashed sweet potatoes in place of traditional potatoes for a delightful sweet potato shepherd’s pie.
• Spice it up – incorporate a hint of smoked paprika, chili flakes, hot sauce, or sriracha for a warming kick.

Preparation and Storage

To Prepare Ahead – To prepare this simple shepherd’s pie ahead of time, assemble the casserole and cover the baking dish with foil. It can be refrigerated for up to 2 days, then bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for about 30 minutes or until heated through.

To Store – Leftovers can be kept in a sealed, airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave when ready to serve.

To Freeze – Shepherd’s pie freezes exceptionally well! Assemble the casserole, cover with aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. To bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and follow the baking instructions.

More Casserole Recipes

I hope you all enjoy this Healthy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Recipe! If you love this dish as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and tag me on Instagram! Don’t forget to follow for additional healthy comfort food recipes!