Shepherd's Pie With Ground Turkey Recipe

Shepherd's pie
OksanaKiian / Getty Images
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 65 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Yield: 1 pie

Although this dish is called a “pie,” there isn’t any pastry involved. It is simply a mix of ground turkey and vegetables in a sauce with a topping of mashed potatoes. The dish is browned in the oven for a delicious example of comfort food. For a pretty effect, pipe the topping over the filling, using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip.

Ingredients

For the Potato Topping:

  • 3 1/2 pounds potatoes, russet or Yukon Gold, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces

  • 1 cup whole milk

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey

  • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed

  • 3/4 cup corn, fresh or frozen and thawed

  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Steps to Make It

  1. Make the potato topping: In a large saucepan, combine the potatoes with enough cold water to cover by 1 inch.

  2. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes.

  3. Drain the potatoes well in a colander. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, milk, butter, salt, and pepper to taste.

  4. Using an electric mixer, beat on high speed until smooth. Set aside.

  5. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

  6. Bring a small saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil.

  7. Add the carrots and cook for 2 minutes to blanch.

  8. Drain and set aside.

  9. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  10. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes.

  11. Add the garlic and cook for 15 seconds.

  12. Stir in the ground turkey, breaking up the large pieces with a fork, and cook until browned.

  13. Add the blanched carrots, peas, corn, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Mix well.

  14. Cook, stirring often until the flavors have blended, about 10 minutes.

  15. Season with black pepper to taste.

  16. Spray a 3-quart gratin dish or shallow casserole with vegetable oil spray. Spoon the vegetable-turkey mixture into the prepared dish.

  17. Top with dollops of mashed potatoes.

  18. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until heated through. Serve hot.

Tips

  • You can mash any type of potato, but those with a high starch/low water content, such as russet and Yukon Gold, produce perfect results. The starch creates a fluffy texture, and the low water content allows them to absorb milk and butter without becoming gummy.
  • Never try to whip potatoes in a food processor or you will have a gluey mess.
  • Ideally, mashed potatoes should be served freshly made, but this is not always possible. Mash them up to 1 hour before serving, reserving one-third of the milk. Place them in a heatproof bowl, set over a pan of barely simmering water. Pour the reserved milk over the top. Just before serving, stir the milk into the potatoes.
  • Potatoes are more fragile than you might think, so handle them carefully to prevent bruising. Keep them unwashed in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place. If stored in a place that is too hot, the sugar will convert to starch and the potatoes will lose their natural sweetness.
  • Choose fairly clean, smooth, firm potatoes. For even cooking, pick potatoes that are about the same size. Do not select ones with wrinkled skins, soft dark spots, cut surfaces, or green areas. Green spots mean they have been exposed to light; cut the spot off before cooking to eliminate bitterness.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
512 Calories
22g Fat
52g Carbs
29g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 512
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 7g 33%
Cholesterol 101mg 34%
Sodium 376mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 52g 19%
Dietary Fiber 7g 23%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 29g
Vitamin C 26mg 130%
Calcium 130mg 10%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 1523mg 32%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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