Beef Shepherds Pie Sweet (Printable)
Savory beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy sweet potato mash, baked for a golden finish.
# What You Need:
→ Sweet Potato Mash
01 - 3.3 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
02 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 1/4 cup milk
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
→ Beef Filling
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
08 - 2 medium carrots, diced
09 - 2 celery stalks, diced
10 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
11 - 1.7 lb ground beef
12 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
13 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
14 - 1 tsp dried thyme
15 - 1 tsp dried rosemary
16 - 1 tsp salt
17 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
18 - 1.5 cups beef broth
19 - 1 cup frozen peas
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Place sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain well.
03 - Mash sweet potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
05 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
06 - Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.
07 - Pour in beef broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Stir in frozen peas and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
08 - Transfer beef filling to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread sweet potato mash evenly over the top.
09 - Use a fork to create ridges on the surface for extra crispness. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and filling is bubbling.
10 - Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The natural sweetness creates the perfect contrast against the savory beef filling
- It freezes beautifully so I always keep a backup dish for hectic weeknights
02 -
- Draining the sweet potatoes thoroughly is crucial because any leftover water makes the mash watery
- Letting the filling cool slightly before topping helps prevent the layers from mixing together
03 -
- Add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the beef filling for extra depth
- Mix some grated cheddar into the sweet potato mash for an extra layer of flavor