Daily Flavor

Combining my plant-based nutrition credentials with a love of traditional comfort dishes, I perfected this vegan shepherd’s pie. Protein-rich lentils and savory veggies simmer in a rosemary-thyme gravy, crowned by creamy sweet potato mash. It’s ideal for colder months, batch-cooking, or anyone craving warming, meat-free satisfaction.

Ingredients

• For the Filling:

  • 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 2 carrots, diced

  • 2 celery stalks, diced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1 cup vegetable broth

  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped

  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

  • Salt and pepper to taste

• For the Mash:

  • 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

  • 2 tablespoons vegan butter

  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened plant milk

  • Pinch ground nutmeg

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Cook Lentils

   • In a saucepan, cover lentils with water; simmer 20 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.

2. Make Filling

   • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

   • In a skillet, heat oil over medium; sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened, 5–6 minutes.

   • Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste, cooked lentils, broth, and herbs.

   • Simmer until thickened, 8–10 minutes. Season well.

3. Prepare Sweet Potato Mash

   • Boil sweet potatoes until fork-tender, 15 minutes. Drain and mash with vegan butter, plant milk, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

4. Assemble & Bake

   • Spoon lentil filling into a baking dish; spread mash evenly on top.

   • Bake 20 minutes until edges bubble and mash edges begin to brown.

5. Serve

   • Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh thyme before serving.

Expert Notes

• Lentil Variety: Use French lentils for firmer texture.

• Make-Ahead: Assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours; bake before serving.

• Flavor Boost: Stir 1 teaspoon soy or tamari into filling for umami depth.

Why You’ll Love It

• Balanced Nutrition: Fiber and protein from lentils; complex carbs from sweet potatoes.

• Rich Comfort: Savory-sweet interplay delights the palate.

• Plant-Forward: Satisfying vegan take on a timeless classic.

Conclusion

This vegan lentil shepherd’s pie with sweet potato mash exemplifies how plant-based eating can be comforting and wholesome. With clear steps, expert tips