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Vegetarian Lentil Shepherd's Pie

A warm and comforting meatless twist on traditional shepherd's pie, featuring a savory lentil filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the lentil filling
  • 1 cup lentils (any variety, rinsed and drained)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 sticks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For the mashed potatoes
  • 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • ½ cup milk (or plant-based alternative)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)

Method
 

Cooking the Lentils
  1. In a saucepan, combine the rinsed lentils and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Drain any excess broth if necessary.
Preparing the Vegetables
  1. In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until softened. Add in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Stir in the cooked lentils, tomato paste, dried thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few more minutes until the mixture is heated through.
Making the Mashed Potatoes
  1. In a pot, boil the peeled and cubed potatoes until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and mash them with milk and butter until smooth and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Assembling and Baking the Pie
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a baking dish, spread the lentil and vegetable mixture evenly, and top with the creamy mashed potatoes. Use a fork to create texture on top, which will become golden when baked.
  2. Place the assembled pie in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Serving
  1. Allow the pie to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

For best results, do not overcook the lentils. Feel free to experiment with ingredient substitutions, like using canned beans or quinoa in place of lentils.