Beef Shepherds Pie Sweet Potato Mash (Printable)
Savory ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy, slightly sweet potato mash. A comforting British classic with a delicious modern twist.
# What You'll Need:
→ Sweet Potato Mash
01 - 3.3 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
02 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 1/3 cup milk or plant-based alternative
04 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Beef Filling
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 2 medium carrots, diced
09 - 2 celery stalks, diced
10 - 1.5 lbs ground beef
11 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
12 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
13 - 1 cup beef stock, gluten-free if needed
14 - 1 cup frozen peas
15 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
16 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Place sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with salted water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain thoroughly.
03 - Mash sweet potatoes with butter and milk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion for 2 minutes, then add garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-6 minutes until softened.
05 - Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, approximately 7-8 minutes.
06 - Stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 1 minute to concentrate flavors.
07 - Pour in beef stock and add thyme and rosemary. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in peas and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
08 - Spread beef mixture evenly in a 2-quart baking dish. Top with sweet potato mash, smoothing the surface.
09 - Bake for 20 minutes until filling bubbles at edges and top is lightly golden. For enhanced color, broil for 2-3 minutes if desired.
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow structure to set.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sweet potato topping adds a subtle sweetness that perfectly balances the savory beef filling without overwhelming it.
- It comes together in stages that allow you to clean as you go, making the final cleanup much more manageable than most comfort food recipes.
02 -
- Letting the shepherd's pie rest for 5 minutes after baking isn't optional—I learned this the hard way when I once served it immediately and watched the filling run all over the plate.
- If your sweet potato mash seems too wet, cook it over low heat in the pot for a few minutes to evaporate excess moisture before topping the beef.
03 -
- For the ultimate crispy topping, run a fork across the sweet potato mash to create ridges before baking, then brush with a little melted butter before the final few minutes under the broiler.
- Adding a splash of balsamic vinegar to the beef filling while it simmers cuts through the richness and brightens all the flavors in a way that makes people ask for your secret.