Turkey Sheperd’s Pie

With St. Patrick’s day around the corner, I am getting super excited about Irish recipes. When most people think about St. Patrick’s Day meals, boiled corned beef dinners, reubens, and soda bread usually come to mind. One of my favorite Irish recipes though is Shepherd’s Pie. A rich potato crusted pie packed full of meat and vegetables? How can you go wrong?!

Sheperd’s Pie is a true comfort meal that warms you up on a cold wintery night. This recipe is a fan favorite in our household so I tend to make it often.

Sheperd’s vs. Cottage Pie

The Sheperd’s and Cottage Pie recipe terms are often used interchangeably. So what is the difference?

• Cottage Pie actually predates Sheperd’s pie. It originated in Britain and is a pie made with beef, vegetables and a potato crust.
• Sheperd’s Pie on the other hand became popular when Ireland starting producing a surplus of potatoes. The difference between the two is the meat. Instead of using beef, Sheperd’s pie calls for lamb.

So what exactly would you call this recipe? Well technically because this recipe is made with ground turkey, it is neither Sheperd’s or Cottage Pie. However, because I am very Irish and it is almost st Patrick’s Day, I’m going to go ahead and call it Sheperd’s.

The Recipe

Potato Crust

This recipe works well with fresh mashed potatoes or leftovers.

I made traditional mashed potatoes with milk, butter, salt, and butter. Boil the potatoes until fork tender. Drain the water and use a potato masher or hand mixer to blend.

Vary up the “potato” topping!:

• Sweet potato or butternut squash– Add cinnamon and butter for a sweet taste
• Mashed cauliflower – lower carb option. Puree cauliflower in a food processor with some milk and butter.

The Filling

As mentioned earlier, I used lean ground turkey in this recipe as my choice of meat. I used 85% lean ground turkey. To lighten it up even more, you may also use 90% lean. With olive oil, saute carrots, onions, and ground turkey until browned. Season with thyme, salt, pepper.

The next step is the fun part! As Julia Child puts it, ” I enjoy cooking with wine, sometimes I even put it in the food!” Using your favorite red (aka the one you’re drinking) wine, de-glaze the pan. Once it reduces by half, sprinkle flour over the meat and combine.

Mix in chicken stock, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Add frozen peas at the end.

Place in casserole dish and top with mashed  potatoes. Brush with egg wash if desired and bake for 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.

Mixing up the Veggies:

I used carrots, onions, and peas as my veggies. However, I have seen other types of vegetables used. Some options other options you can try are:

• Corn
• Parsnips
• Leeks
• Garlic
• Mushrooms
• Green Beans

What you may need

• Casserole Dish
• Potato Masher

Nutrition scoop

Ground turkey can sometimes be a good alternative to ground beef. I say sometimes because not all turkey is created equal. It is still important to look at the percent fat. I look for 85% or higher lean meat no matter if it is turkey or beef. Pay attention to sodium too. Sometimes turkey products can contain high amounts of sodium. Keep sodium under 10% daily value.

Enjoy!

-Hungry Momma

Hungry Momma Nutrition

Serves 8

Turkey Sheperd's Pie

This is a perfect comfort dish just in time for St. Patrick's day. It is a delicious and lightened up meat and potato dish.

20 minPrep Time

15 minCook Time

35 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds Russet Potatoes
• 1/2 cup Skim Milk
• 3 tablespoons butter, unsalted
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound 85% lean ground turkey
• 2 medium carrots
• 1 medium onion
• 1 tablespoon flour or cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 cup Chicken Broth Low Sodium
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 egg yolk (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Peel and quarter potatoes. Boil until fork tender. Drain potatoes and add butter, skim milk, salt and pepper. Mash with a potato masher or hand mixer. Set aside.
3. On medium heat, with olive oil, saute onions and carrots until tender. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper. Remove vegetables from the pan. Add ground turkey and saute until browned. Add back vegetables.
4. De-glaze pan with red wine until reduced in half. Sprinkle flour and mix into meat and veggies. Add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and chicken broth. Cook for 5 minutes until thickened. Combine frozen peas.
5. Place meat and vegetable mixture into 9x6 casserole dish. Spread mashed potatoes on top.
6. You may brush with egg yolk if you'd like but this step is completely optional.
7. Bake in 350 degree F oven for 15-20 minutes.

7.8.1.2

13

https://hungrymommanutrition.com/turkey-sheperds-pie/

Nutrition

Calories

333 cal

Fat

12 g

Carbs

36 g

Protein

17 g

Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

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