Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Sharing is caring!

Savor our quick, light Turkey Shepherd’s Pie, a flavorful blend of ground turkey and veggies under a cheesy potato crust.

Why make Turkey Shepard’s Pie

• It’s a healthier pick: You’ll get all the comfort of a traditional Shepherd’s Pie, but with fewer calories thanks to the use of ground turkey instead of beef​.
• It’s a time-saver: You’re just 50 minutes away from a delicious, home-cooked meal, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights​.
• It’s packed with flavor: The combination of ground turkey, vegetables, and a hint of red wine, topped with a uniquely cheesy potato crust, ensures each bite is a treat to your taste buds.

Ingredient Notes

• Turkey Time: We’re using ground turkey here. It’s leaner, but packs a flavor punch when seasoned right.
• Veggie Variety: I grabbed a bag of frozen veggies for convenience, but you can totally go fresh or canned – your kitchen, your rules.
• Potato Pick: Red potatoes are my go-to for this mash, skins included. Feel free to mix it up with your favorite spud.
• Wine Works Wonders: A splash of red wine adds depth to the dish. Got a bottle of Merlot or Cabernet on hand? Perfect. If not, beef stock will do the trick.
• Cheese Change-Up: I’ve stirred mozzarella into the potatoes for a subtle cheesy twist. Experiment with different cheeses and see what you like best.

Variations for Turkey Shepard’s Pie

• Meat Variations: If you want to switch up the protein, you could use ground beef, chicken, or lamb instead of turkey. For a vegetarian version, you could use lentils or a plant-based meat substitute.
• Veggie Variations: You can mix and match the vegetables based on what you have on hand or your preferences. Carrots, peas, and corn are traditional, but feel free to throw in others like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.
• Potato Variations: Instead of red potatoes, try using Yukon gold, russet potatoes, or even sweet potatoes for a different flavor. You could also make a cauliflower mash for a low-carb version.
• Cheese Variations: The recipe uses mozzarella cheese mixed into the potatoes, but you could also try cheddar, gouda, or a blend of your favorite cheeses. For a crispier topping, you could sprinkle some Parmesan or breadcrumbs on top before baking.
• Flavor Variations: Play around with the seasonings to make this dish your own. Consider adding herbs like rosemary or basil, spices like paprika or cumin, or a dash of hot sauce for some heat.

Tips for Turkey Shepard’s Pie

• Season Well: Since ground turkey is leaner than beef, it’s important to season it well to enhance the flavor. Don’t be shy with your herbs and spices​​.
• Potato Tips: Cut the potatoes into smaller chunks to cook them faster. Leaving the skins on red potatoes not only adds texture but also saves you the peeling step​​.
• Cheese Inside: Mixing the cheese into the potatoes instead of on top gives the potatoes a different flavor without an overpowering cheese flavor. This is a great trick if you want to hide the cheese from picky eaters or simply prefer a less cheesy topping​​.
• Frozen Veggies: Using a frozen vegetable melody is a great time-saver and they’re just as nutritious as fresh veggies. This can be a good compromise if you have people who prefer canned vegetables, as frozen veggies have a similar texture​​.
• Red Wine for Flavor: Adding red wine to the dish can elevate its flavor. If you don’t consume alcohol, you can substitute it with more beef stock or a non-alcoholic red wine​​.
• Baking Time: Make sure to bake the pie until it’s heated through and the top is golden. This ensures all the flavors meld together and the potatoes get a nice crust.
• Make Ahead: Shepherd’s pie is a great make-ahead meal. You can prepare the components ahead of time and assemble and bake when you’re ready to eat. It’s also freezer-friendly, which makes it a great option for meal prep.

Want more Ground Turkey Recipes?

Turkey Chili
Turkey Meatloaf

Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

This turkey shepherd’s pie is a lighter version of the yummy classic without giving up the great taste.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:20 minutes mins

Cook Time:30 minutes mins

Total Time:50 minutes mins

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey meat
• 6 oz tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 1/2 TSP Worcestershire
• 1 TSP salt
• 1/2 TSP thyme
• 1/4 TSP garlic powder
• 7 cups red potato chunks

Mashed potatoes

• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 TBSP butter
• 1 cup of mozzarella cheese

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and boil a pot of water
• Wash and cut potatoes into chunks and boil until soft
• After potatoes are cooked drain and put into mixer with butter and whipping cream and whip until mashed up well.
• Cook turkey meat on high heat until fully cooked and add wine, beef stock, seasonings, Worcestershire, and frozen veggies and cook on low medium heat
• Add cheese to potatoes and mix well
• Once all the liquid from the meat mixture has thickened add to a casserole dish and then top with mashed potatoes and cook in oven for 30 minutes

Notes

• Season Well: Since ground turkey is leaner than beef, it’s important to season it well to enhance the flavor. Don’t be shy with your herbs and spices​​.
• Potato Tips: Cut the potatoes into smaller chunks to cook them faster. Leaving the skins on red potatoes not only adds texture but also saves you the peeling step​​.
• Cheese Inside: Mixing the cheese into the potatoes instead of on top gives the potatoes a different flavor without an overpowering cheese flavor. This is a great trick if you want to hide the cheese from picky eaters or simply prefer a less cheesy topping​​.
• Frozen Veggies: Using a frozen vegetable melody is a great time-saver and they’re just as nutritious as fresh veggies. This can be a good compromise if you have people who prefer canned vegetables, as frozen veggies have a similar texture​​.
• Red Wine for Flavor: Adding red wine to the dish can elevate its flavor. If you don’t consume alcohol, you can substitute it with more beef stock or a non-alcoholic red wine​​.
• Baking Time: Make sure to bake the pie until it’s heated through and the top is golden. This ensures all the flavors meld together and the potatoes get a nice crust.
• Make Ahead: Shepherd’s pie is a great make-ahead meal. You can prepare the components ahead of time and assemble and bake when you’re ready to eat. It’s also freezer-friendly, which makes it a great option for meal prep.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 857mg | Potassium: 793mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 715IU | Vitamin C: 9.7mg | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 2.2mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dinner, mashed potato meals, turkey dinner

Servings: 6

Calories: 363kcal

Author: Glitter and Graze