Turkey Shepherd’s Pie: the ultimate hug in a bowl. This dish makes a great weeknight supper for the family with the kids or a great weekday lunch that you can prepare ahead of time. Turkey shepherds pie features ground turkey and sautéed vegetables topped with creamy mashed potatoes, baked to perfection. Turkey shepherd’s pie is a decadent dish that is guilt-free and convenient to store and reheat.
Calling all food enthusiasts and shepherd’s pie aficionados! Today, we embark on a culinary journey, exploring two delectable Turkey Shepherd’s Pie recipes that will tantalize your taste buds and warm your soul
Recipe 1: Turkey Shepherd’s Pie for Two (Food Network)
This recipe is a perfect choice for a cozy dinner for two, offering a delightful twist on the classic shepherd’s pie. The recipe features a flavorful turkey filling with carrots, peas, and a touch of thyme, topped with a creamy mashed potato layer. The individual ramekins make for a charming presentation and easy portion control.
Ingredients:
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Olive oil
- Carrots, diced
- Onion, diced
- Garlic, minced
- Cooked turkey, shredded or diced
- Frozen peas
- All-purpose flour
- Tomato paste
- Chicken stock
- Worcestershire sauce
- Thyme leaves
- Salt and pepper
- Mashed potatoes
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly spray two ramekins with nonstick cooking spray.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté diced carrots, onions, and garlic until softened.
- Add cooked turkey, peas, flour, and tomato paste, stirring to combine.
- Gradually add chicken stock and Worcestershire sauce, thickening the mixture.
- Stir in thyme leaves and season with salt and pepper.
- Divide the mixture between the ramekins and top with mashed potatoes.
- Bake for 20 minutes, cool slightly, and enjoy!
Recipe 2: Turkey Shepherd’s Pie (Allrecipes)
This recipe offers a larger-scale version of the classic shepherd’s pie, perfect for feeding a family or gathering. The recipe features a rich and savory turkey filling with mushrooms, carrots, and a blend of spices, topped with a fluffy mashed potato layer.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Milk
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Onion, chopped
- Ground turkey
- Sliced mushrooms
- Carrot, shredded
- Parsley, chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Chicken bouillon powder
- Dried thyme
- Salt and pepper
- All-purpose flour
Instructions:
- Boil potatoes and mash with milk and butter. Season with salt and pepper.
- Sauté onions in olive oil until softened.
- Add ground turkey and cook until browned.
- Stir in mushrooms, carrots, parsley, garlic, bouillon powder, and thyme.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Thicken the mixture with flour.
- Transfer the filling to a baking dish and top with mashed potatoes.
- Bake for 30 minutes until the topping is lightly browned.
Additional Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of white and sweet potatoes for the mashed potato layer.
- Add a sprinkle of shredded cheese on top of the mashed potatoes before baking for an extra cheesy touch.
- Serve with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious gravy.
Both of these Turkey Shepherd’s Pie recipes offer a delicious and comforting meal that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking for two or a crowd, these recipes are sure to please. So, grab your ingredients, put on your aprons, and get ready to create a culinary masterpiece that will warm your hearts and stomachs.
Additional Resources:
- Food Network: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/turkey-shepherds-pie-for-two-3416092
- Allrecipes: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/12522/turkey-shepherds-pie/
Enjoy your culinary adventures!
All about turkey shepherd’s pie
Actually, until I made this recipe, I had never had shepherd’s pie, but I knew the general concept sounded good—ground meat and veggies covered in mashed potatoes? Sounds good to me!
You might see a recipe like that and just assume it could never be healthy. I mean, mashed potatoes? Those aren’t “healthy,” right?.
Wrong. As I always preach, everything in moderation. Just by making a few easy substitutions (i. e. ground turkey, fat free half and half) this recipe is easily lightened up. And let me tell you, it is certainly not lacking any flavor.
This recipe is so delicious and makes for a perfect meal prep. It stores really well in the fridge, and reheats so easily. My kids also really enjoy it, so it’s totally kid-friendly and approved for the family. You can’t beat it.
So, let’s get to cooking!
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.
Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
FAQ
Can you make shepherd’s pie with ground turkey?
Why is flour used in shepherds pie?
Is shepherds pie and cottage pie the same?
What is a shepherds pie called when it is made from beef?
How do you make a Turkey Shepherd’s pie?
Fill the baking dish with the meat and veggie filling. Spread evenly. Cover the filling with a layer of cheesy mashed potatoes. Make lines in the mashed potatoes with a fork for decoration and crispiness. Bake in the oven for 12 minutes until the mashed potato top is golden. When making turkey shepherd’s pie, there are a few tips to keep in mind.
How do you make a Turkey Shepherd’s pie with mashed potatoes?
Cover the filling with a layer of cheesy mashed potatoes. Make lines in the mashed potatoes with a fork for decoration and crispiness. Bake in the oven for 12 minutes until the mashed potato top is golden. When making turkey shepherd’s pie, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Choose lean ground turkey for the filling.
How long do you bake a Turkey Shepherd’s pie?
Bake the pie in a 400-degree F oven for about 25 minutes, or just until the the potatoes get crusty and start to brown on top. Allow the dish to rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. Can Turkey Shepherd’s Pie be made in advance? Absolutely! This is a great make ahead dinner recipe!
Can you cook Turkey Shepherd’s pie from frozen?
Just assemble the dish as instructed and keep in the refrigerator until ready to bake (up to overnight). You can also freeze the assembled casserole before baking to enjoy at a later date. It’s a great freezer meal! Can you cook Turkey Shepherd’s Pie from frozen? Yes! It just takes a lot longer!