Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef

This Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie is one of those cozy dinners I look forward to making as soon as the weather starts to cool down. It has a savory ground beef and vegetable filling topped with creamy mashed sweet potatoes, then everything bakes together until the filling is bubbling and the sweet potatoes are lightly browned.

My husband loves this one, and I love how practical it is. You can use frozen mixed vegetables or whatever vegetables you already have, assemble the whole casserole ahead of time, and even freeze it for another night.

If you love traditional shepherd’s pie but want to switch up the mashed potato topping, this sweet potato version is such a good fall dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

There is a lot to love about this recipe, but what keeps me coming back to it is how flexible it is.

It’s a complete dinner in one dish. You have ground beef, vegetables and sweet potatoes all baked together.

You can use what you have. Frozen mixed vegetables are perfect here, but carrots, peas, corn or a combination all work.

It’s great for meal prep. Assemble the shepherd’s pie ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.

It freezes well. This is exactly the kind of casserole I like having tucked away for a busy night.

The sweet potato topping makes it extra cozy. Butter, sour cream and just a touch of cinnamon make the mashed sweet potatoes creamy without turning them into a sweet side dish.

What Is Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie?

Traditional shepherd’s pie is made with lamb, while a similar dish made with ground beef is technically called cottage pie. Here in the U.S., however, you’ll often see ground beef versions called shepherd’s pie, which is what my family has always called this one.

Instead of the traditional mashed white potato topping, this version is topped with creamy mashed sweet potatoes.

Underneath is a savory mixture of ground beef, onion, garlic, vegetables, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth and herbs. The slightly sweet potatoes on top are so good with that rich, savory filling.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Sweet potatoes

You’ll need about 2 pounds of sweet potatoes. Boil or steam them until completely tender so they mash smoothly.

Ground beef

I use one pound of ground beef for the filling. It makes this recipe hearty while still allowing one pound of beef to stretch into a full casserole.

Onion and garlic

These build the flavor at the base of the ground beef filling.

Mixed vegetables

This is a great place to use frozen mixed vegetables. Peas and carrots are especially good, but use what your family likes or what you already have.

Tomato paste

Tomato paste gives the beef filling a deeper, richer flavor without making it taste like tomato sauce.

Worcestershire sauce

A tablespoon of Worcestershire adds that savory flavor that works so well in shepherd’s pie.

Beef broth

The broth gives us enough liquid to create a sauce around the beef and vegetables.

Cornstarch

Instead of flour, I use a simple cornstarch slurry to thicken the filling so it stays saucy without becoming watery underneath the sweet potatoes.

Rosemary and sage

These herbs give the filling that cozy, classic flavor I want in a shepherd’s pie.

Sour cream and butter

Both go into the sweet potatoes to make the topping creamy and rich.

Cinnamon

I use just a little cinnamon in the sweet potatoes. You don’t need much. It complements the natural sweetness of the potatoes without making the topping taste like dessert.

How to Make Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

1. Cook the sweet potatoes

Steam or boil the sweet potatoes until they are completely tender. Drain them well, then mash them with sour cream, melted butter and cinnamon.

I also like cooking my sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot. Add the sweet potatoes and water, cook on high pressure for 3 minutes, quick release and drain.

2. Make the ground beef filling

Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it is no longer pink.

Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, then add the vegetables, garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary and sage.

3. Thicken the filling

Combine the cornstarch with liquid to make a slurry and stir it into the beef mixture along with the beef broth.

Let everything cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the filling thickens.

You want it saucy, but not runny. A thicker filling will hold up much better underneath the mashed sweet potatoes.

4. Assemble the shepherd’s pie

Spread the ground beef mixture evenly in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

Spoon the mashed sweet potatoes over the top and gently spread them all the way to the edges.

5. Bake

Bake at 425°F for about 20 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the sweet potato topping is hot and lightly browned.

Let it sit for a few minutes before serving.

Maria’s Tips for the Best Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Drain the sweet potatoes well. Extra water can make the topping loose instead of creamy.

Don’t skip the tomato paste and Worcestershire. The sweet potato topping is naturally sweeter than regular mashed potatoes, so you want plenty of savory flavor in the beef filling to balance it.

Let the filling thicken before assembling. If it still looks very watery in the skillet, give it another minute or two before adding it to your casserole dish.

Use frozen vegetables to make life easier. There is absolutely no reason you need to chop five different vegetables for shepherd’s pie on a weeknight.

Taste as you go. Before assembling the casserole, taste the beef mixture and sweet potatoes separately and adjust your seasoning if needed.

Can I Make Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie Ahead of Time?

Yes. This is one of my favorite things about this recipe.

Prepare the ground beef filling and mashed sweet potatoes, assemble everything in the baking dish, cover it and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.

Because the casserole will be cold instead of warm when it goes into the oven, expect it to need a little more baking time than the freshly assembled version.

Can You Freeze Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie?

Yes. Assemble the casserole and allow the filling to cool before covering it well and freezing.

Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking. You can also portion leftover cooked shepherd’s pie into individual containers for easy lunches or dinners.

What Vegetables Are Best in Shepherd’s Pie?

Peas and carrots are classics, but this recipe is extremely forgiving.

Try:

• Frozen mixed vegetables
• Peas
• Carrots
• Corn
• Green beans

I especially like using frozen vegetables because they make this a true pantry-and-freezer dinner.

What to Serve with Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Because there is meat, vegetables and sweet potato in the casserole, I usually think of this as a complete meal.

If you want something alongside it, keep it simple. A green salad, roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts or green beans would all be great.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is shepherd’s pie made with beef or lamb?

Traditional shepherd’s pie is made with lamb. When the dish is made with beef, it is technically called cottage pie. In the United States, however, the name shepherd’s pie is commonly used for ground beef versions as well.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes. You can substitute ground turkey or another ground meat you enjoy. The flavor will change slightly, so taste the filling and adjust the seasonings as necessary.

Can I use frozen vegetables?

Absolutely. Frozen mixed vegetables are one of my favorite shortcuts for this recipe. They make prep much faster and work beautifully in the filling.

Can I leave out the sour cream?

Yes. The sour cream makes the sweet potato topping creamier and adds a little tang, but the recipe will still work without it. You may want to add a little additional butter or another creamy ingredient to get the consistency you like.

Why is my shepherd’s pie watery?

The beef filling should thicken before you transfer it to the baking dish. Make sure your cornstarch is fully mixed into the liquid and give the filling a few minutes to simmer and thicken before assembling the casserole.

Can I use regular mashed potatoes instead?

Yes. If you don’t have sweet potatoes or prefer traditional mashed potatoes, they can be substituted for the sweet potato topping.

A Cozy Dinner Worth Repeating

There are plenty of casseroles I make once and forget about. This isn’t one of them.

This Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie with ground beef is one of my favorite fall dinners because it is cozy without being complicated, flexible enough to use what I already have, and easy to prepare ahead of time.

It’s the kind of tried-and-true family recipe I find myself coming back to year after year.

And for more fall meals check out these videos:

• 5 Contest Winning Soups
• Irresistible Fall Slow Cooker Recipes
• Cozy Crock Pot Meals

MORE FALL FRIENDLY RECIPES TO TRY

• Slow Cooker Turkey Tenderloin Recipe
• Maple Sausage Stuffed Chicken

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