Bring a comforting twist to a classic family favourite with this Turkey Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie. Layer a savoury filling of ground turkey and tender vegetables in a rich, flavourful gravy, then top it with creamy mashed sweet potatoes before baking until hot and bubbly. Serve this hearty, wholesome casserole for an easy weeknight dinner, cozy fall meal, or make-ahead family favourite that's packed with flavour and comfort in every bite.
This recipe was developed as part of a sponsorship post with Manitoba Turkey Producers.
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Ingredients
Find below the list of ingredients I used to make my Turkey Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie recipe.
- Sweet Potato
- Butter
- Milk
- Ground turkey
- Yellow onion
- Garlic cloves
- Carrots
- Celery
- Worcestershire sauce
- Poultry seasoning
- All-purpose flour
- Chicken broth
- Frozen peas
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Turkey Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie
- Boil sweet potatoes until tender, 15–20 minutes.
- Heat oil in a large skillet. Brown turkey, then add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened.
- Stir in tomato paste, thyme and rosemary. Cook 1 minute. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute more. Gradually stir in broth, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened, then stir in peas.
- Transfer the shepherd's pie filling to a lightly greased 9"x13" baking dish.
5. Drain the cooked sweet potato cubes well, and mash with butter, milk, salt and pepper.
6. Place mounds of the mash over the meat filling. Carefully smooth over the mash to seal in the filling. Make ridges with a fork. Bake 25–30 minutes, until bubbling. Rest 10 minutes before serving.
How to store the leftover Shepherd's Pie
Allow the cooked Turkey Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie to cool slightly before transferring leftovers to an airtight container or covering the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C), covered with foil to prevent the sweet potato topping from drying out, until heated through. Freeze completely cooled portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating until hot throughout.
You may also like
Explore more cozy comfort food with Turkey Sweet Potato Chili, another hearty dinner that combines ground turkey and sweet potatoes in a flavourful, satisfying meal. Try Turkey Stuffing Meatloaf for another delicious way to transform ground turkey into a comforting family dinner with familiar holiday-inspired flavours. Make Curry Pot Pie for another savoury baked dish that puts a creative twist on classic comfort food. Serve Cottage Cheese Mashed Potatoes when you're craving another creamy potato dish that pairs beautifully with hearty meals. Finish your comfort-food menu with Banana Split Pie, a fun, sweet dessert that's perfect for sharing after a cozy family dinner.
Recipe
Turkey Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie
Equipment
- 9" x 13" Baking Dish
- Large sheet pan
- Potato masher
Ingredients
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- 1360 grams Sweet Potato peeled and in 1" cubes
- ¼ cup Butter softened
- ⅓ cup Milk
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Pepper
Turkey Filling
- 900 grams Ground turkey
- 1 large Yellow onion diced
- 3 medium Carrots peeled and diced
- 3 stalks Celery diced
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 3 tablespoon Tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Poultry seasoning
- ⅓ cup All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 1½ cup Frozen peas
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a deep 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish. You'll also need a sheet pan to place the baking dish on while cooking.
- Place the sweet potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes, until fork-tender. Drain thoroughly and return to the warm pot. Let stand for 2 minutes so excess moisture can evaporate.
- Add the butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Mash until smooth, adding a little extra milk only if needed. Keep the mash thick enough to hold its shape.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it into small pieces, until lightly browned.
- Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 7–9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, and poultry seasoning. Cook for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle the flour over the filling and stir for 1 minute. Gradually stir in the broth, followed by the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5–7 minutes, until the gravy thickens. Stir in the frozen peas. The filling should be moist and spoonable, with no watery broth pooling around it.
- Transfer the filling to the prepared baking dish. Spoon small dollops of sweet potato mash over the surface, then gently spread into an even layer. Drag a fork across the topping to create ridges.
- Place the dish on a baking sheet and bake, uncovered, for 20–25 minutes, until bubbling around the edges and the centre reaches 165°F (74°C). Broil for 2–3 minutes if desired, watching closely, to lightly brown the ridges.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving to help the filling settle.
