All the comfort of a traditional favorite but lightened up – Turkey Shepherd’s Pie is so good your family won’t even miss the lamb.
Shepherd’s pie is such a warm, comforting meal that you’ll want it time and again. However, with dietary guidelines recommending limiting red meat, including beef, veal, lamb, and pork, to three servings weekly, finding ways to substitute leaner, healthier options in your favorite dishes can bring you all the flavor without the guilt. That’s where turkey shepherd’s pie comes in.
What do you find when you make this dish? A tantalizing mixture of sautéed carrots, celery, onion, and garlic, combined with ground turkey, peas, and corn under a creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes blanket. Can you think of anything better than that?
Is Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Considered Healthy?
Let’s examine the ingredients in this meal. Ground turkey is one of the leanest protein options, making it a good choice for your diet. Next, we pack this dish full of vegetables, and since they are mixed in with the turkey and buried under a creamy pile of mashed potatoes, even the picky eaters in your house will probably clean their plates.
But what about the mashed potatoes, that creamy goodness filled with milk, butter, and cheese? Can that be considered healthy? Potatoes contain beneficial fiber for digestion, carbohydrates for energy, and vitamin C for immunity. They are low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free. While cheese, butter, and milk add some fat, they also bring vitamins, protein, and minerals. A well-rounded diet focused on moderation can help you enjoy delicious meals such as turkey shepherd’s pie.
Is There a Trick to Getting Smooth Mashed Potatoes?
There are tricks for everything, but luckily, getting the lumps out of mashed potatoes is easy. The best thing to invest in is a potato ricer. It is not expensive, as you can find a variety of them for under $20. If you like mashed potatoes, it’s a good investment.
Another option is to pass the mashed potatoes through a fine-mesh sieve. A spatula will help you remove lumps that way. Avoid using a hand mixer or food processor, which can make the potatoes gummy.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Shepherd’s pie is an easy make-ahead meal. You can prepare it the day before and bake it when ready to serve. It stores well, as long as you remember to cover it tightly before placing it in the refrigerator, where it lasts up to 4 days.
Serving Suggestions
I love how this dish is a complete meal, and my family doesn’t realize they are getting all the vegetables they need in the shepherd’s pie. Of course, that doesn’t stop me from getting them to eat more veggies. I like to serve a light salad with this dish, such as Cucumber Tomato Salad, and a light and refreshing dessert salad, such as Classic Ambrosia Salad, is another good accompaniment. Finally, these Brownie Cookies make the perfect dessert. They are crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 carrots peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and corn
- 3 large russet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, cooking until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add ground turkey, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook until turkey is browned and cooked through.
- Sprinkle flour over the turkey mixture and stir to combine. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in peas and corn. Cook until slightly thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash with milk and butter until smooth.
- Spread the turkey mixture in a baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
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