Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

It’s May. But I don’t think Colorado has gotten the memo yet. Because it’s STILL SNOWING.

If you sense any bitterness, you might be right. So to comfort myself, I made some comfort food. Shepherd’s Pie is a favorite in this house for 2 reasons.

  1. IT’S EASY

  2. IT’S DELICIOUS

I use Japanese sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes because it gives the dish that sweet and savory combo everyone loves.

Here’s how to bring some southern comfort into your home.

Ingredients:

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  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 3 large carrots chopped

  • 1 large onion diced

  • One 8 oz can tomato paste

  • 1 can full fat coconut milk (half for meat, half for potatoes)

  • 1 T butter (or cooking fat of choice)

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp thyme

  • Black pepper to taste

  • 4 Japanese sweet potatoes (or potato of choice)

  • 1/2 cup of shredded cheese (optional)

Directions:

  1. Heat up a big pot with enough water to boil your potatoes. Once water is boiling, add potatoes and cook until tender.

  2. While potatoes are boiling, heat up butter (or other cooking fat) in a cast iron skillet if you have one. A regular pan will work, too. Add onion and carrots and saute for 3-5 minutes.

  3. Add beef and cook until mostly browned. Add salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme and mix.

  4. Pour in half a can of coconut milk and a whole can of tomato paste and stir. Let simmer for a few minutes.

  5. Mash potatoes however you’d like (I use a hand mixer). Add the other half a can of coconut milk to the potatoes and salt to taste. Mix until creamy.

  6. If you’re using a cast iron, you can just add the potatoes to the top of the meat mixture. If not, move the meat mixture to an oven safe dish and then top with potatoes. If you tolerate dairy, sprinkle cheese on top of the potatoes.

  7. Broil on high for about 5 minutes. It depends on how fast your oven heats up, so I’d check it every couple minutes to make sure you catch the cheese at the perfect golden color. Enjoy!

It doesn’t need to be snowing to enjoy this comfort food, it’s good for the soul year round. Let me know how you like it!

Lexie GrayComment