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 perfect for meatless Monday's or when you're just looking for a tasty alternative version to meat.
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.
And in place of 100% traditional mashed potatoes, I've used a sweet cauliflower mash topping that’s both creamy tasting AND still entirely dairy free!
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.
However it's totally worth it because you'll get six portions of good wholesome vegan goodness!
Your green lentil shepherd's pie is perfectly freezable too, so you don't need to be stuffing it all down in one go.
Although on first tastes you may well be tempted to do so!
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!
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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:
- Cook lentils in a medium saucepan until they are of an al dente consistency.
- Whilst lentils are cooking cook potatoes and cauliflower. Mash potatoes and cauliflower together to form the mashed potato topping.
- Whilst lentils, potatoes and cauliflower are cooking, sauté the onion, garlic and carrot over a medium heat in a large pot.
- 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.
- Pour lentil mixture into a suitably sized baking dish. Top with fluffy mash. Bake in oven until potatoes are turning golden brown.
- 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!
Green Lentil Shepherd's Pie Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 400 g green lentils
- 500 g white potatoes peeled and chopped
- 500 g cauliflower trimmed and chopped
- Low fat cooking spray
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic chopped finely
- 1 large carrot diced
- 1 teaspoon dried mixed herbs
- 2 tablespoon cornflour
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce
- 200 ml tomato passata
- 250 ml vegetable stock
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Cook the green lentils in 1 litre of boiling water for about 30 minutes until softened. Then drain and set aside.
- Whilst lentils are cooking also cook the potatoes and cauliflower by placing them both in a pan of cold water, bring it to the boil and then simmering for about 15 minutes until tender. Then mash and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 180C
- Spray the bottom of a large pan with the cooking spray, heat gently and when the oil starts to bubble sauté the onion, garlic and carrot together for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the herbs, cornflour, soy sauce, green lentils, tomato passata and vegetable stock and bring the mixture to the boil. Season to taste.
- Pour the lentil mixture into an over proof casserole dish and top with the cauliflower mash using a fork to fluff it up slightly.
- Place the casserole onto a shelf in the middle of the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes until the potatoes are beginning to turn golden.
- Allow to cool slightly prior to serving.
Nutrition
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! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Shepherds pie is the best! So cozy!!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
Thanks Rebecca. It's just the perfect comforting home VEGAN recipe. Isn't it? 🙂
David @ Spiced
Hahaha! When I was looking at that photo of Oktoberfest, I was totally thinking "Hmmm...one of these guys doesn't belong." Sure enough, he was a photobomber! Love it! I also love this healthy version of shepherd's pie. Talk about a classic comfort food meal right there, and I love the twist with using cauliflower instead of potatoes. This sounds like a great weekend baking project! Speaking of the weekend, I hope you have a great one, Neil! 🙂
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
I didn't even realise that photo had been photo bombed until I got home and stuck it in Lightroom for editing David. Ha ha!
Glad you like my healthy take on a shepherd's pie. I love making this at the weekend. It's great to stick what you don't use in your freezer for when you're short of time.
I hope you have a fab weekend too, Sir! 😀
Agness of Run Agness Run
This pie is definitely very mouth0watering, Neil! Do you use yellow or red onion?
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
Thanks Agness. It's just yellow/normal onions I use, although red onion might be interesting! Let me know if you get a chance to use red onion and how it came out! 😉
Shashi at Savory Spin
Neil - I've made a mushroom version of shepherd's pie but never a lentil one - thanks so much for the inspiration! My daughter is a vegetarian and even though am not, I am sure we would both LOVE this! Such a brilliant idea! And now I want to eat all the bratwurst!
Hope you and Lady Lynne have a wonderful weekend!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
I'm pretty sure that your daughter would love this green lentil shepherd's pie Shashi! 🙂 Like you, I'm not a vegetarian either but Lynne and I make a major effort to eat as many vegetables as possible over meat each week, vegetables being cheaper, healthier and better for the environment too!
The bratwurst was great though, as was the entire Oktoberfest 2017 beer festival. Hope your move is going OK? And have an amazing weekend too!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen
This lentil shepherd's pie looks and sounds scrumptious, Neil! Two years ago I had a little kick on shepherd's pies and made a few of them in a row. I haven't made any since that, so perhaps I should add one to my fall list. Although I do love potato mash, I like to use other ingredients like sweet potatoes. But I wouldn't thought of cauliflower (which us so delicious in a mash) in a pie. That's definitely something I need to try one day. Well done, Neil!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
Ben, thanks so much for your comment and rating, that really made my day my friend!
It had been such a while since I had made a shepherd's pie when I came to put this one together, but I wanted to change it up a little and I'm glad I did. The result you can see is amazing (humble aren't I? 😉 ). Hope you get a chance to make this and thanks again! Have a smashing weekend! 😀
Ashika | Gardening Foodie
Ooooh I love Shepard's pie. It makes such a comforting meal. This is a delicious vegetarian version. Perfect for me. Definitely love to try this recipe.
I really love how you combined the cauliflower into the mash, it must taste absolutely amazing.
Thanks for another delicious recipe Neil.
Have a great week ?
neil@neilshealthymeals.com
Thanks Ashika. 😀
The cauliflower mash came about because I felt the lentils needed just a bit of a "sweet lift", but I didn't want to add any artificial sweeteners to the recipe. The sweetness of the cauliflower and creaminess of the potato come together to form a perfect complimentary mash. Well, in my opinion anyway! 😉
Hope you are well and having a good week too.