Green Lentil Shepherd's Pie

This green lentil shepherd's pie is a comforting and delicious recipe. Topped with a creamy tasting cauliflower mash it's so full of flavour it'll soon become a family favourite!

Green lentil shepherd's pie is the perfect dish for meatless Monday's or when you're just looking for a tasty alternative version to traditional meat.

The recipe is full of hearty, flavourful ingredients that make it just as satisfying as the original.

Just like my green lentil lasagne you can substitute meat with pulses and the original recipe is still as delicious!

Instead of meat I've used a wholesome, healthy and delicious filling of lentils, onion and carrot.

These ingredients offer a nutritious and delicious alternative to meat.

What really makes this dish stand out is the creamy, yet dairy-free, cauliflower mash topping. It has a light sweet taste and smooth texture.

It’s a healthy twist on the traditional mashed potato topping, making the entire dish feel indulgent yet light!

This dish takes will take you a little longer than my usual casserole recipes so I find it’s best to make it at the weekends when you have more time.

However, it's totally worth it because you'll get six generous portions of wholesome vegan goodness!

Not only is this green lentil shepherd's pie hearty and filling, but it's also packed with flavour and nutrition.

Your green lentil shepherd's pie is perfectly freezable too, so you don't need to be stuffing it all down in one go.

You can enjoy it throughout the week without any extra hassle. You don't have to worry about finishing it all at once, although on first bite you may well be tempted to do so!

With each mouthful it may just be hard to resist a second or third helping!

If you’re making this at the weekend for the week ahead you'll not be tempted to buy convenience foods instead.

It's easy to be tempted to buy packaged foods especially when you're pushed for time and tempted to do so during the working week.

And you save money too making this as you’re not spending money going out.

Saving money is just one of the many reasons why I love to cook from scratch.

Every little bit of money saved goes into investing for the future and for the day when I can give up work and do more of what I love. Like writing this blog!

This is a tasty lentil shepherd's pie to be enjoyed by the whole family. Even meat lovers that crave a regular shepherd’s pie!

It's the ultimate comfort food perfect for any time of year.

If you're not a fan of lentils though and are looking for just a vegetarian shepherd’s pie, a non vegan version that doesn't have a lentil filling then an alternative great recipe would be my vegetarian Quorn cottage pie!

Whatever your choice I think that you'll love this filling hearty lentils recipe!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Substitutions
• The Health And Nutritional Benefits Of This Green Lentil Shepherd's Pie
• Step By Step Instructions
• FAQ's
• What To Serve With Shepherd's Pie
• Other Popular Green Lentil Recipes For You To Try
• Green Lentil Shepherd's Pie Recipe
• Nutrition Label
• Rate The Recipe

Ingredients

• Green Lentils
• White Potatoes
• Cauliflower
• Low Fat Cooking Oil Spray
• Onion
• Garlic Cloves
• Carrot
• Dried Mixed Herbs (optional)
• Cornflour
• Soy Sauce
• Tomato Passata
• Vegetable Stock
• Freshly Ground Salt And Black Pepper

See recipe card for quantities.

Substitutions

• Green Lentils - you can substitute with brown lentils although you may have to adjust the cooking time. You can also use puy lentils (french green lentils).
• White Potatoes - if in the U.S Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold are fine. If in the U.K. use Maris Piper or King Edward.
• Cauliflower
• Low Fat Cooking Oil Spray - you can substitute for a little olive oil instead.
• Onion
• Garlic Cloves - you could use garlic powder instead.
• Carrot - you could use mixed vegetables instead or maybe some diced butternut squash.
• Dried Mixed Herbs (optional) - a sprig of fresh herbs like rosemary would also work.
• Cornflour - you can substitute with plain / regular flour instead.
• Soy Sauce
• Tomato Passata - you could add tomato paste or tomato puree into the recipe instead. If using you'll need to add enough water to compensate for the liquid the passata would have given to the recipe.
• Vegetable Stock - use a good quality vegetable stock / vegetable broth to give plenty of flavour.
• Freshly Ground Salt And Black Pepper

The Health And Nutritional Benefits Of This Green Lentil Shepherd's Pie

Just some of the benefits of this recipe include :-

• Protein - this meatless dish fair packs a punch in terms of protein with 41% of your daily requirements being provided.
• Dietary Fibre - plenty of goodness here to help you maintain healthy bowels, lower cholesterol levels and achieve a healthy weight.
• Vitamins - 95% of your daily requirement of vitamin c to boost your immune system and help to prevent heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
• Low calorie and low in fat. Just 350 calories per serving and only 2% fat too!

Step By Step Instructions

Detailed instructions are the recipe card below. But here is a quick step by step guide of how to make this vegan shepherd’s pie:

1. Cook lentils in a medium saucepan until they are of an al dente consistency.
2. Whilst lentils are cooking cook potatoes and cauliflower. Mash potatoes and cauliflower together to form the mashed potato topping.
3. Whilst lentils, potatoes and cauliflower are cooking, sauté the onion, garlic and carrot over a medium heat in a large pot.
4. Add herbs, flour, soy sauce, cooked lentils, tomato passata and stock. Turn to medium-high heat to get the ingredients to the boil. Reduce to a sauce. Season to taste.
5. Pour lentil mixture into a suitably sized baking dish. Top with fluffy mash. Bake in oven until potatoes are turning golden brown.
6. Remove from oven and allow to cool a little before serving.

FAQ's

What Is The Difference Between Cottage And Shepherd's Pie?

Traditional Shepherd's pie is made with lamb. Traditional cottage pie with beef.

Can I Freeze Shepherd's Pie?

Yes. Allow it to cool completely first then portion into individual containers.

How To Store Leftovers?

You can keep any leftovers in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for 2 - 3 days.

How To Reheat Leftovers?

Leftovers should be allowed to defrost and then can be easily reheated in the microwave or in the oven.

What To Serve With Shepherd's Pie

• It’s perfect served with some easy to cook vegetables like frozen peas and sweetcorn.
• Thick slices of wholemeal bread go well too.
• Other hearty vegetables like green beans or brussels sprouts are great as well.

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Other Popular Green Lentil Recipes For You To Try

• Vegan green lentil dahl is simply delicious, mouth-watering and perfect as a meat free dinner. Filling and with just the right amount of chilli spice, even meat eaters will find this agreeable too!
• Tomato and green lentil soup is a really rich and satisfying meal in itself. And because it’s so filling, you can be sure that you’ll not be tempted to reach for any unhealthy snacks after a bowl of this amazing soup!
• Green lentil and sweet potato stew is a fantastic one pot family meal. Comforting, filling and tasty this delicious hearty stew will stick to your bones!

Nutrition Label

Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.

Rate The Recipe

If you’ve made this vegan shepherd's pie recipe, or any other recipes on Neil's Healthy Meals, then please let me know.

I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂