Lentil Shepherd's Pie

This Lentil Shepherd's Pie is so satisfying and savory. Vegetables in a rich gravy, topped with garlicky and buttery mashed potatoes. I'm not even vegetarian and this as quickly gone into our meal planning rotation! This can very easily be made both vegetarian or vegan (substitutions in recipe card). As much as I love good tasting food, I like things that are easy on the wallet just as much and this Lentil Shepherd's pie is only $.65 a serving. That's right, UNDER A DOLLAR!

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I am trying to do at least 1 vegetarian meal a week. You could call it meatless Monday, but to be perfectly honest- it probably won't always happen on Monday. I have several vegan friends and I personally LOVE vegetables. It's a fun challenge for me to make a vegetarian or vegan meal that my MEATLOVING husband likes and asks for again. (and trust me, it is a real challenge).

For these meals, I don't want to use processed meat substitutes (like soy chicken or beefy crumbles). I am trying to get vegetables to taste great and still be as healthy as possible.

This recipe is PERFECT for meal planning and meal prepping. You can make a huge pan of this for just a few dollars, making it very cost effective for budget shopping and budget cooking.

Keep all of the veggie pieces roughly the same size. This will help with an even cook and look nice in the finished process!

Putting the mashed potatoes on by the spoonful and then spreading seems to be the easiest method. If you add too much liquid to the potatoes (to make them easier to spread) they will be hard to serve after baking. I use the back side of a large metal serving spoon to smooth them out.

I mean, come on, how comforting is this???

Yield: 8

Author: Molly

Lentil Shepherd's Pie

This vegan or vegetarian shepherd's pie is so satisfying and savory. Vegetables in a rich gravy topped with garlicky and buttery mashed potatoes.

prep time: 25 Mcook time: 30 Mtotal time: 0 H & 55 M

ingredients:

SAUTE FIRST

2 TB olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 C carrot, diced
1/2 C celery, diced

ADD SECOND

1 1/2 C corn
1/2 C peas
4 TB flour
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp pepper

ADD THIRD

2 C vegetable broth
2 TB tomato paste
1 TB soy sauce
2 C cooked whole lentils

MASHED POTATOES

2 1/2 lbs peeled potatoes, quartered or cut into even chunks
1/2 C vegetable broth
1/4-1/2 C milk (or plant based milk)
1 tsp garlic powder
2 TB butter or plant based alternative
1/4 C parmesan cheese (or 1 1/2 tsp nutritional yeast)
salt and pepper to taste

instructions:

How to cook Lentil Shepherd's Pie

For the filling

On medium, saute the onions, carrots, and celery in 2 TB of olive oil. Saute for 10 minute until vegetables are soft.
Add in the corn and peas. Stir. Add all remaining ingredients (flour and spices) from the ADD SECOND step. Stir until all flour is coating the vegetables.
Add broth and stir until you start to see the sauce thicken. Add in remaining ingredients from the ADD THIRD section (corn, peas, soy sauce, tomato paste, and lentils).
Simmer for about 4 minutes, or until filling is a thick consistency.

Mashed Potatoes

Boil the potatoes until they are fork tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
Add in butter, broth, and milk. Mash with a potato masher or electric beater.
Stir in remaining ingredients. Salt to taste

Assembling and baking

Preheat oven to 375.
Pour filling into a 9x13 pan, spreading evenly.
Add spoonfuls of mashed potato to cover the top, then spread smooth with the back of a large serving spoon.
Drizzle top with a little olive oil, sprinkle with paprika, salt and pepper.
Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. This will help it stay together when you dish it out.

Calories
249

Fat (grams)
5

Sat. Fat (grams)
0

Carbs (grams)
41

Fiber (grams)
9

Net carbs
0

Sugar (grams)
6

Protein (grams)
12

Sodium (milligrams)
0

Cholesterol (grams)
0.00

All nutrition facts are an estimate based on ingredients used while testing the recipe. For more accurate facts, enter in your own ingredients using an online calculator.