Wholesome and Tasty Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Delightful and comforting Healthy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Recipe created with lean ground turkey, vibrant vegetables, savory homemade gravy, all topped with lighter mashed potatoes. This is a healthier take on a time-honored comfort food that the entire family will adore!

When I mention that I was raised on traditional shepherd’s pie, it’s a true story—my mom prepared it for us every week. I believe she appreciated how it encompassed all food groups within one effortless casserole for dinner and it was simply delightful! This healthy shepherd’s pie recipe offers a fresh take on this classic comfort food, brimming with veggies, lean ground turkey, rich homemade gravy, and topped with my lighter mashed potatoes. What makes them healthier? They are also loaded with hidden veggies! I hope your family enjoys this dish at their dinner table.

Reasons You’ll Love This

• High in protein – we’re using ground turkey here instead of ground lamb or beef, which lowers the saturated fat while providing 22 grams of protein per serving.
• More vegetables – we’re adding extra veggies into the filling for a fiber, vitamin, and nutrient boost, plus incorporating a whole head of cauliflower into the mashed topping!
• Lighter mash – you will adore my healthier mashed potato recipe where we halve the potatoes and fold in a whole head of cauliflower for a creamy yet lower-carb topping. Mashed cauliflower can also be used.
• Flexible – this healthy shepherd’s pie recipe is easily adjustable with a variety of vegetables and lean proteins.
• Perfect for gatherings – this simple recipe yields a large quantity, making it an excellent choice for feeding a crowd, plus we love making this comforting casserole for meal prepping!

What Sets Shepherd’s Pie Apart from Cottage Pie?

Traditional shepherd’s pie is made exclusively with ground lamb, a name derived from shepherds tending their sheep. A conventional cottage pie utilizes ground beef instead.

Essential Ingredients

• ground turkey – I opted for 93% lean ground turkey, but you could use even leaner options, though it may result in a drier and less flavorful outcome. Ground chicken, extra-lean ground beef, or ground pork are alternative choices too.
• vegetables – we’re using diced onions, celery, and carrots along with frozen peas and corn. I also integrated a whole head of cauliflower into the mashed potatoes.
• olive oil – I prefer a quality olive oil for sautéing the veggies. It doesn’t need to be pricey—just ensure it’s cold-pressed and organic for optimal flavor.
• mashed potatoes – I always follow this recipe, utilizing a combination of yukon gold or russet potatoes and cauliflower. Feel free to use whichever mashed potato recipe you favor. Mixing in a touch of cheddar cheese into the mash for added flavor is also a great option.
• flour – for thickening the mixture, you’ll need just 2 tablespoons of flour. I opted for gluten-free flour for a gluten-free shepherd’s pie, but all-purpose flour or any other preferred flour can work as well.
• chicken broth – 1 cup of chicken broth is required, but you could alternatively use beef broth, vegetable broth, or any stock available in your pantry.
• tomato paste – 1 tablespoon of tomato paste is essential for adding a rich tomato flavor and thickening the gravy. Tomato sauce can also be used in its place.
• worcestershire sauce – an extra flavor enhancer!
• garlic – fresh chopped garlic cloves or minced garlic from the jar is recommended, but garlic powder can suffice in a pinch.
• fresh herbs – a mix of fresh thyme leaves and rosemary.
• salt and black pepper – necessary for seasoning the shepherd’s pie and enhancing flavor.

Instructions for Making Healthy Shepherd’s Pie

1. Cook potatoes and cauliflower. In a large pot, place the potatoes (do not add the cauliflower yet) and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and let the potatoes simmer for roughly 15 minutes. Introduce the fresh cauliflower florets and continue to simmer for an additional 8-9 minutes until both are soft and fork-tender.
2. Create the mashed potatoes. Drain the potatoes and cauliflower, adding them back into the pot or a large bowl. Incorporate milk, Greek yogurt, chicken broth, butter, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper. Mash using a potato masher or blend everything with an electric mixer until creamy.
3. Brown the meat. In a sizable skillet, warm over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and brown the ground turkey, breaking it apart as it cooks for about 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked turkey to a plate and set aside.
4. Sauté the vegetables. In the hot skillet, drizzle in another tablespoon of olive oil and add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
5. Prepare the meat filling. Return the ground meat to the pan, seasoning with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and toss to coat, cooking for an additional minute. Stir in the tomato paste, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and chopped herbs. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and cover. Simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
6. Layer the casserole. Mix the frozen corn and peas into the turkey mixture and spread evenly in a casserole dish. Gently spoon the mashed potatoes over the turkey mixture, smoothing it into an even layer with a spatula or the back of a wooden spoon.
7. Bake and serve. Bake the shepherd’s pie at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly. Before serving, garnish with fresh thyme or parsley atop the mashed potatoes.

Variations

• Add More Veggies – consider using shredded or chopped zucchini, fresh mushrooms, green beans, sweet potatoes, or other vegetables.
• Incorporate Extra Protein – although this recipe uses lean ground turkey, feel free to mix in some cooked quinoa or chickpeas for a protein boost.
• Dairy-free Option – you can easily make this dish dairy-free by replacing the milk in the mashed potatoes with almond or coconut milk. You could also substitute Greek yogurt (or sour cream) for a dairy-free alternative.
• Vegan Adaptation – replace the ground turkey with lentils or a plant-based meat substitute for a vegan or vegetarian shepherd’s pie. Additionally, swap out the milk in the mash for coconut or almond milk.
• Low-Carb Version – while I’ve used my healthy mashed potato recipe, you could opt for my simple cauliflower mash for a lower-carb topping.
• Sweet Potato Alternative – to improve the nutrition of this recipe, consider using mashed sweet potatoes instead of traditional potatoes for a delicious sweet potato shepherd’s pie.
• Spice It Up – for a warming kick, add a sprinkle of smoked paprika, chili flakes, hot sauce, or sriracha.

Preparation and Storage

For Preparation – To prepare this simple shepherd’s pie in advance, assemble the casserole and cover the baking dish with foil. Refrigerate for up to 2 days and when ready, bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for around 30 minutes or until heated thoroughly.

For Storage – Leftovers can be kept in a sealed, airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave as needed.

For Freezing – This shepherd’s pie freezes excellently! Assemble the casserole, cover it with aluminum foil, and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. When it’s time to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as instructed.

Additional Casserole Recipes

I hope you all savor this Healthy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Recipe! If you enjoy this recipe as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and tag me on Instagram! Please follow for more healthy comfort food recipes!