Description

This lighter twist on the classic shepherd’s pie swaps mashed potatoes for creamy sweet potatoes and uses lean ground turkey for the filling. It’s hearty, nourishing, and packed with flavor—perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or make-ahead meals.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Turkey Filling:

1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
1 lb (450g) ground turkey, 93% lean
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup frozen peas
1 tbsp tomato paste
½ cup chicken or vegetable broth, low-sodium preferred
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Sweet Potato Topping:

3–4 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 2 large)
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Dice vegetables and measure ingredients.

2. Cook Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
Sauté onion 4–5 minutes until soft and translucent.
Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Brown the Turkey

Add ground turkey, breaking it into small pieces.
Cook until no pink remains, letting it sit briefly to develop a slight sear.

4. Build the Flavor

Push turkey to one side and add tomato paste to the empty side. Cook 1 minute to deepen flavor.
Stir together with turkey.

5. Simmer Filling

Add carrots, peas, broth, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Simmer on low for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.

6. Make Sweet Potato Topping

In a bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, Greek yogurt, and olive oil/butter.
Season with salt and pepper, mashing until smooth. Add a splash of milk or broth if needed to loosen.

7. Assemble Pie

Spread turkey filling evenly in a 9-inch or 2-quart baking dish.
Drop spoonfuls of sweet potato topping on top and gently smooth into an even layer.

8. Bake

Bake for 25–30 minutes until the filling bubbles and topping is lightly golden.
Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra color.
Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Vegetable swaps: Use corn, green beans, or mixed vegetables.
Spicy kick: Add red pepper flakes or a spoon of pesto to the filling.
Cheesy topping: Mix shredded cheddar or gruyère into sweet potatoes or sprinkle on top.
Vegetarian: Replace turkey with 1½ cups cooked lentils.
Mashed potato mix: Use a 50/50 blend of sweet and russet potatoes.