Description
Hearty pumpkin shepherd’s pie blends rustic Irish comfort with autumnal warmth, merging classic ground lamb with creamy pumpkin-topped mashed potatoes. Family gatherings welcome this seasonal twist you’ll savor with each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1/2 cup peas
- 1/2 cup corn
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
Topping:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 4 cups mashed potatoes
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375F (190C) to prepare for baking.
- Brown the ground meat in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Add onions, garlic, carrots, peas, and corn to the meat, sautéing until vegetables become tender and fragrant.
- Incorporate tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, allowing it to simmer and develop rich flavors for 10 minutes.
- Create a creamy topping by blending pumpkin puree with mashed potatoes, mixing in butter and milk until smooth and well-combined.
- Season the pumpkin-potato mash with salt and pepper to enhance its taste.
- Pour the meat and vegetable mixture into a baking dish, ensuring an even layer.
- Carefully spread the pumpkin-potato mash over the meat, creating a uniform top layer.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the surface turns golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Remove from oven and allow the pie to rest for 5-7 minutes before serving, which helps the layers set and makes cutting easier.
Notes
- Swap ground meat with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a vegetarian version that maintains hearty texture and flavor.
- Replace regular potatoes with sweet potatoes or cauliflower mash to reduce carbohydrates and add extra nutritional value.
- Use low-sodium Worcestershire sauce and broth to control salt intake for heart-healthy diets.
- Enhance nutrition by adding extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini to the meat mixture for increased fiber and vitamins.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg