Craving a warm, comforting meal that’s both delicious and healthy? Look no further than this Turkey Shepherd’s Pie recipe! This twist on the classic dish features a flavorful ground turkey filling topped with a creamy mashed potato layer, making it a perfect option for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Why Choose Turkey Shepherd’s Pie?
- Healthier Alternative: This recipe uses ground turkey instead of traditional ground beef, making it a leaner and healthier option. It’s packed with protein and vegetables, making it a well-rounded meal.
- Flavorful and Customizable: The combination of ground turkey, vegetables, and herbs creates a rich and savory filling. You can easily customize the recipe by adding your favorite vegetables or spices.
- Easy to Prepare: This recipe comes together quickly and easily, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Most of the ingredients are readily available in your pantry or local grocery store.
Gathering the Ingredients:
Before embarking on this culinary journey, let’s gather the necessary ingredients:
For the Mashed Potato Topping:
- 3 large potatoes, peeled
- ¼ cup warm milk
- 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
For the Turkey Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 (4.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms
- 1 large carrot, shredded
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Instructions for a Delicious Turkey Shepherd’s Pie:
- Get Started with the Topping: Begin by peeling and placing the potatoes in a large pot filled with salted water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat the Oven: While the potatoes are simmering, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Prepare the Flavorful Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ground turkey, mushrooms, shredded carrot, parsley, minced garlic, chicken bouillon powder, and dried thyme. Cook and stir until the meat is broken up and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Finally, stir in the flour and cook for an additional minute. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
- Create the Creamy Mashed Potato Topping: Drain the cooked potatoes and transfer them to a bowl. Add the warm milk and softened butter, then mash until you achieve the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the cooked turkey filling to a deep-dish pie pan or casserole dish. Spread the creamy mashed potato topping evenly over the filling, creating a smooth and inviting surface. Use a fork to swirl the mashed potatoes for an aesthetically pleasing presentation.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the assembled pie in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the mashed potato topping is lightly browned and golden.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the pie is baked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this warm and comforting dish with your loved ones, and savor the delicious flavors of this lighter take on a classic comfort food.
Additional Tips and Variations:
- Boost the Flavor: For an extra flavor kick, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the turkey filling.
- Add Some Heat: If you enjoy a bit of spice, include a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the filling.
- Get Creative with Vegetables: Feel free to experiment with different vegetables in the filling. Consider adding chopped celery, peas, or corn for added texture and flavor.
- Make it Vegetarian: For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground turkey with lentils or crumbled tofu.
- Top it Off: For an extra layer of richness, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the mashed potato topping before baking.
This Turkey Shepherd’s Pie recipe is a delightful way to enjoy a classic comfort food with a healthier twist. With its flavorful filling, creamy mashed potato topping, and easy preparation, it’s sure to become a family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, put on your aprons, and embark on this culinary adventure. You’ll be rewarded with a delicious and satisfying meal that will warm your heart and tantalize your taste buds.
Putting it all together and baking Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Next, grab a 9 x 13 baking dish. Spray it with some cooking spray, and then pour the turkey and vegetable filling mixture in.
Next, plop those deliciously smooth mashed potatoes on top, and spread them out to cover the entire filling. I used an offset spatula to smooth it out.
Pop the pie in the oven at 400F and cook it for 20 minutes.
After it’s finished, serve it with green beans on the side or divide into six equal, very large, generous portions.
How to make the turkey and vegetable filling
First, get your oven ready by preheating it to 400F.
While it preheats, chop your onion and get your carrots ready. In a large, deep frying pan, melt the light butter. Once it’s melted, add the onions and carrots to the pan. Sauté the vegetables for eight to ten minutes or until they become soft and start to caramelize.
Once the vegetables are cooked down, get the turkey ready to cook. Here, I used 2 lbs of lean ground turkey breast. You can use chicken breast, or you can even use lean ground beef.
Get your spices ready too; that’s your garlic salt, onion salt, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Add some olive oil spray to your pan.
Add the turkey to the frying pan along with the spices. Use a wooden spoon to break up the turkey meat. Cook for another ten minutes, or until the turkey is no longer pink.
Ten minutes in, it’s time to kick up the flavor! Prepare your Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste.
Once the turkey is fully cooked, add the tomato paste and Worcestershire. Stir the mixture so that everything is incorporated.
Then, sprinkle the flour on top of the mixture. Make sure the flour coats the turkey. Then, add the chicken stock. Cook for just a couple of minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed into the meat.
Now that the mixture is all set, it’s time to stir in some frozen peas. Just add them to the pan, and stir everything together. There’s no need to cook them further; they will defrost super quickly in the mixture. Since we are cooking this all in the oven anyway, that’s all you need to do.
How To Make Shepherd’s Pie With Ground Turkey
FAQ
Can you make shepherd’s pie with ground turkey?
Why is my shepherd’s pie soggy?
What is traditional shepherd’s pie made of?
How do you keep shepherd’s pie from falling apart?
How do you cook a Turkey Shepherd’s pie?
This turkey shepherd’s pie makes a healthy twist on an old favorite. Start the topping: Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. While the potatoes are cooking, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
What is Turkey Shepherd’s pie?
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Turkey Shepherd’s Pie: the ultimate hug in a bowl. This meal is a perfect kid-friendly dinner to make for the family, or a delicious lunch to prep for yourself for the week. Turkey shepherds pie features ground turkey and sautéed vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes, baked to perfection.
Can you use ground turkey in a shepherd’s pie?
Use ground turkey: Similar to a traditional shepherd’s pie or cottage pie, you can use ground meat in this recipe—just cook it before using it! Swap in cooked ground turkey for the cubed turkey, then prepare the recipe as directed. You can also try this winter vegetable shepherd’s pie with ground turkey.
How do you make a shepherd’s pie filling?
Peel the potatoes and chop them roughly into large chunks. Fill a small pot with water and bring the water to a boil, then add the potatoes. Cook the potatoes until they are fork tender. Then, strain them. While the potatoes are cooking, you can prepare the filling for the shepherd’s pie; but for instructional purposes, let’s finish this part now!