Vegan Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

This cozy vegan sweet potato shepherd’s pie with quick-cooking red lentils in a savory sauce snuggled in a blanket of sweet potato mash is a plant-based dream of comforting bites.

I buy bags of sweet potatoes because they are great in everything from sweet potato casserole to creamy sweet potato hummus to Mediterranean veggie burgers.

This vegan shepherd's pie recipe captures everything we love about sweet potatoes. Versatility and flavor.

⭐ Recipe Highlights

Red lentil filling. Red lentils make a quick cooking ground meat alternative. They cook in a savory tomato-based sauce with a few of our favorite seasonings.

Sweet potato mash. This vegan shepherd’s pie recipe capitalizes on the ease and flavor of mashed sweet potatoes. We’re keeping it light and easy here with a smidge of paprika and a dash of salt. No vegan butter or olive oil is required.

Easy and healthy. This recipe is prepared to avoid added oil or other ingredients that add unnecessary fat and calories. There are also plenty of substitutes provided if you want to make modifications to fit your individual needs.

📋 Ingredients and Substitutions

• Sweet potatoes. 4 large or 5 medium potatoes will give you a thick topping. Because it’s mash, you can boil or steam the potatoes. You can also bake them whole or cut them in half like I do for stuffed sweet potatoes.
• Smoked Paprika. Paprika, especially smoked paprika, helps temper the potatoes' sweetness. For a little kick, use hot smoked paprika.
• Tomatoes. Use canned tomatoes packed in juice. If you use fresh tomatoes or those packed in water, add a tablespoon of tomato paste to help thicken it.
• Fresh thyme. A couple of fresh thyme sprigs or 2 tablespoons of thyme leaves add an earthy flavor. If you use dry thyme, use 2 teaspoons. Dry herbs get stronger as they rehydrate.
• Red wine. Wine is used to deglaze the cooking pot. Substitute with vegetable broth.
• Vegan Worcestershire sauce. Savory and sharp Worcestershire sauce is a vegan cottage pie classic. Soy sauce or tamari is often used to replace Worcestershire, but Bragg’s amino acids are better.
• Marmite. The yeasty umami flavor of marmite is unique, and even if you don’t like spreading it on toast, it’s delicious in any stew or rich soup. Marmite has also introduced a lower salt version. Vegemite is a suitable replacement, but the easiest substitute for this recipe is miso paste.
• Red lentils. Split red lentils are perfect for the filling; however, you can also use whole red or brown lentils. Because whole lentils take 5-10 minutes longer, you may need to add more liquid during cooking.

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the sweet potatoes, then mash them with paprika and salt.

Step 2: After cooking the onions, celery, and carrots, add garlic and marmite. Deglaze with red wine, then add the tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme.

Step 3: Add the red lentils and simmer until tender (15 minutes).

Step 4: Add lentil filling to an oven-proof baking dish and spread sweet potatoes over the top.

Pro Tips

• Get the sweet potatoes cooking before you start the filling. Cook them until they are very tender when pierced with a fork. That's the secret to making a fluffy mashed potato topping.
• Heat the pot before adding the onions, celery, and carrots. They are less likely to stick to the bottom. Be sure to stir them consistently, and be mindful that you don’t let the heat get too high.
• Red lentils, especially split red lentils, take about 15 minutes to cook. If the filling starts to dry before the lentils are done, add up to 1 cup of vegetable stock or water during cooking.
• Use a light touch. If you start pressing on the topping, it will start sinking into the lentils. Take your time with this process.
• If the lentils are still warm, you only need to grill (broil) the top. It will take about 15 minutes at medium-high heat to crisp and brown the top.

🍽 Serving Ideas

Lentil shepherd’s pie is the kind of comforting dinner the whole family will love. It makes a beautiful centerpiece for a special occasion. It’s also a great recipe for meal prep because you can make the filling or the entire pie ahead of time.

I like to serve this dish with Balsamic green bean salad, creamy broccoli bacon salad, carrot and raisin salad, or cranberry spinach salad.

🌡️ Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

Cover and store leftover shepherd’s pie in the refrigerator for 4 days. To reheat, bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes. Turn the oven on broil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the top.

If you freeze shepherd’s pie, remove it from the casserole dish and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. You can also use an airtight container. You can also freeze the lentil filling separately. Thaw and warm it before adding it to your casserole dish.

💭 Frequently Asked Questions