Print

Healthy Turkey Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.1 from 3 reviews

This Healthy Turkey Shepherd's Pie is a nutritious twist on the classic comfort food, combining lean ground turkey with a medley of vegetables and topped with creamy mashed potatoes and cauliflower. Enhanced with fresh herbs and baked to golden perfection, this hearty casserole is perfect for a family meal or meal prep, offering both delicious flavor and wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

Mashed Potato and Cauliflower Topping

  • 1 1/2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
  • 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup lower sodium chicken broth
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Turkey Filling

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 cup onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced small
  • 2 ribs celery, diced small
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp flour (gluten-free flour optional)
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the shepherd's pie.
  2. Cook Potatoes: Place peeled and cubed Yukon Gold potatoes into a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
  3. Add Cauliflower: Add the cauliflower florets to the pot with potatoes and continue simmering for an additional 8-9 minutes until both potatoes and cauliflower are tender and fork-soft.
  4. Drain and Mash: Drain the potatoes and cauliflower, then return them to the pot. Add the milk, plain Greek yogurt, chicken broth, butter, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mash thoroughly with a potato masher or blend using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
  5. Brown Turkey: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it apart as it browns. Remove the cooked turkey from the skillet and set aside.
  6. Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion, diced carrots, celery, and minced garlic for 5-6 minutes until tender.
  7. Combine Meat and Veggies: Return the browned turkey to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, stirring to combine.
  8. Thicken Filling: Sprinkle flour over the meat and vegetable mixture and toss well to coat. Cook for another minute, then stir in tomato paste, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, chopped thyme, and rosemary. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  9. Add Frozen Veggies: Stir in the frozen corn and peas, mixing evenly into the turkey filling.
  10. Assemble Pie: Spread the turkey mixture evenly into a casserole dish. Carefully spoon the creamy mashed potato and cauliflower topping over the filling, smoothing the surface with a spatula or back of a spoon.
  11. Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
  12. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh thyme or parsley before serving to add a fresh herbal note.

Notes

  • To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free flour in the turkey mixture.
  • You can substitute Greek yogurt with sour cream or cream cheese for a richer topping.
  • Feel free to swap frozen vegetables with fresh ones according to season or preference.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and milk with dairy-free alternatives.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/healthy-turkey-shepherds-pie-recipe/