A stunning layered dish, with a golden-brown and creamy sweet potato crust on top, followed by a savory beef filling with vibrant pops of orange and green from the carrots and peas.

Luck of the Irish Shepherd's Pie

Name: Luck of the Irish Shepherd's Pie
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs lean ground beef; 2 cups carrots peeled and diced; 1 cup frozen peas thawed; 1/2 cup tomato paste; 1/2 cup beef broth; 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 4 sweet potatoes peeled and cubed; 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk; 2 tbsp butter or ghee; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 tsp nutmeg

A festive twist on the classic Irish dish.

Category Main Course

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 45 minutes

Style Irish

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily recipe · March 17, 2023

A little about this dish

This recipe is a twist on the classic Irish dish, Shepherd's Pie, made with lean ground beef, carrots, peas, and a savory mashed sweet potato crust that's perfect for a festive meal on St. Patrick's Day.

Ingredients (for 6)

Lean ground beef — 1.5 lbs
Carrots — 2 cups — peeled and diced
Frozen peas — 1 cup — thawed
Tomato paste — 1/2 cup
Beef broth — 1/2 cup
Worcestershire sauce — 1/4 cup
Olive oil — 2 tbsp
Garlic powder — 1 tsp
Salt — 1/2 tsp
Black pepper — 1/4 tsp
Sweet potatoes — 4 — peeled and cubed
Unsweetened almond milk — 1/4 cup
Butter or ghee — 2 tbsp
Salt — 1/2 tsp
Black pepper — 1/4 tsp
Nutmeg — 1/4 tsp

Preparation

Step 1 — 🌡️🔥👨‍🍳

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Step 2 — 🍔🍳🔥

In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Step 3 — 🥕🥦🍛

In the same skillet over medium heat, add the carrots and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the peas and cooked ground beef, and mix everything together.
Step 4 — 🍠🍲🔥

In a large pot, add the sweet potatoes and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and return the sweet potatoes to the pot.
Step 5 — 🥛🧈🍠

Add almond milk, butter or ghee, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg to the pot with the sweet potatoes. Mash until smooth and creamy.
Step 6 — 👩‍🍳🛠️🍴

Top the beef filling in the skillet with an even layer of mashed sweet potatoes, using a spatula to smooth and swirl the surface. Bake in the oven until the sweet potatoes are golden brown and the filling is bubbling, about 25-30 minutes.
Step 7 — ❄️🥄🍽️

Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

A final fox tip

The dish originated in Ireland in the late 1700s, where it was commonly made with leftover roasted meat and potatoes. Kids can help mash the sweet potatoes and layer them on top of the filling, while adults can supervise the stovetop cooking.