Description
Savory pumpkin shepherd’s pie blends British comfort with autumn flavors. Hearty ground lamb, seasonal spices, and creamy pumpkin mash create a comforting dish you’ll crave during chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef, lamb, or turkey
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup corn kernels
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C), preparing a cozy environment for the savory pie.
- Brown the ground meat in a large skillet over medium heat, releasing rich flavors and developing a deep color.
- Introduce chopped onion, garlic, and carrots to the skillet, sautéing until vegetables become tender and fragrant.
- Incorporate tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and broth, creating a robust base for the filling.
- Add frozen peas, corn, thyme, and smoked paprika, allowing the mixture to simmer for 5-10 minutes and develop complex flavors.
- Adjust consistency with flour if the filling appears too liquid, ensuring a thick and hearty texture.
- Season the meat mixture with salt and pepper, then transfer to a baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Whisk pumpkin puree with butter, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Carefully spread the pumpkin mixture over the meat filling, creating an even, attractive topping.
- Optional: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese across the surface for an extra layer of flavor.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the topping turns golden and the filling bubbles with intensity.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve piping hot, ready to delight hungry diners.
Notes
- Make the filling heartier by adding mushrooms or lentils for extra texture and nutrition.
- Transform this into a vegetarian dish by replacing ground meat with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu or tempeh.
- Keep the pumpkin topping smooth by using a hand mixer or blender to eliminate any lumps before spreading over the filling.
- Reduce calories by using lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, maintaining the rich, comforting flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg