Author: There was a moment where I wasn't going to post this recipe for The Best Lentil Shepherd's Pie. After all, there are a TON of lentil shepherd's pie recipes floating around. It's not exactly ground-breaking material.
But then something happened… I pulled some of my leftover lentil shepherd's pie from the freezer, warmed it up, and devoured the whole thing. And guess what? It really is The Best Lentil Shepherd's Pie.
So maybe there are a lot of lentil shepherd's pies out there, but none of them are THIS recipe, and THIS recipe is Seriously The Best Lentil Shepherd's Pie. I needed to publish this recipe, if for no other reason, but so that I can make it again, and again.
What makes this Lentil Shepherd's Pie the best?
Why thank you for asking. There are 3 simple and scrumptious reasons.
- These lentils are jam-packed full of veggie deliciousness: carrots, mushrooms, peas, and are seasoned perfectly with thyme, onions, garlic, and an extra zing of BBQ sauce. Boom! Simple and totally drool-worthy.
- Garlic mashed potatoes. Those aren't any plain old regular mashed potatoes, they're packed full of garlic and creamy coconut milk making them light years above any other mash.
- This hearty meal is perfect for a holiday, weekend, or just something to last you throughout the week. It can be made in advance and then just warmed in the oven. You can serve it in a fancy casserole dish or go rustic like I like to do, and serve it in a skillet. This pie will satisfy anyone and everyone making it a perfect dish for any occasion!
I hope you love it as much as I do.
To Make the Lentil Shepherd's Pie:
Chop up your veggies, and prep for the mash potatoes.
Heat the oil in a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the onion, carrots, mushrooms, garlic, and thyme and sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until softened and bits are browned. Remove from pan, and set aside.
Return the pan to heat, add in the lentils, and vegetable broth. Cover, and simmer for 25 - 30 minutes until the broth is absorbed and the lentils are tender.
While the lentils cook, prepare the mashed potatoes and try not to eat them all.
When the lentils are cooked through, add the vegetables back to the pan, and add the peas, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce. Heat through. Scoop the mixture into a casserole dish or large skillet and then spread the mashed potatoes on top.
Bake for 10 - 15 minutes until the lentil shepherd's pie is hot and bubbling around the edges.
(click stars to vote)
Seriously The Best Lentil Shepherd's Pie
Servings:
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil, (olive, canola, vegetable)
- 1 onion, , chopped
- 2 carrots, , peeled and chopped
- 16 oz mushrooms, , sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, , minced
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
- 1 ½ cups brown or green lentils, (or 38oz canned lentils, see notes)
- 3 cups vegetable broth, (or 1 vegetable bouillon cube, see notes)
- 1 cup peas, , fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce, (check to make sure it's vegan)
- 1 recipe Vegan Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F (220C).
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the onion, carrots, mushrooms, garlic, and thyme and sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until softened and bits are browned. Remove from pan, and set aside.
- Return the pan to heat, add in the lentils, and vegetable broth. Cover, and simmer for 25 - 30 minutes until the broth is absorbed and the lentils are tender. While the lentils cook, prepare the mashed potatoes according to the directions.
- Add the vegetables back to the pan with the lentils, and add the peas, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce. Heat through. Scoop the mixture into a casserole dish or large skillet and then spread the mashed potatoes on top.
- Bake for 10 - 15 minutes until the pie is hot and bubbling around the edges.
Notes
Nutrition
⭐ Did You Make This Recipe?
I’d love if you left a rating and comment, it helps others find the recipe and makes my day! 💕Bon appetegan!
Sam.
Lisa says
Ok...I am beginning to get suspicious now. Every single recipe you post is delicious (and this one is no exception). What kind of black magic is this? Sooo yum! This was perfect for a snowy Tuesday night!
Tammy says
I've been making vegan Shepherds pie similar for years but with veggie ground round. The lentils cooked in veggie stock were awesome and a game changer. Loved this recipe. Thankyou
Julie says
Can red lentils be used? Thanks
Kathy Blanchard says
You are definitely in my prayers because delicious recipes for vegans is a wonderful blessing to those who are thinking of becoming vegans and also for those who are vegetarians who may want to become vegans. It is a God-given talent to be able to experiment with flavors and foods and end up with something that is delicious and appetizing! We all appreciate your creativity and joy in proving us with all of these lovely recipes that are so delicious! Thank you and may God continually bless all of your efforts in this direction!!!!
Pauly says
This was an amazing recipe!
The bbq sauce made it even better.
M says
This looks amazing, but my husband will not eat mushrooms. Is there something else I could substitute in this recipe?
Thanks!
Amanda W says
I don't like mushrooms, either, so I doubled up on the carrots! Delicious!
Greg says
How about chopped artichoke hearts?
Alice says
I can't wait to try this out, I've got a big bag of lentils I've been wanting to use up and I have all the other ingredients coming in my next groceries delivery. I was just wondering as I'm calorie tracking at the moment, does the 445 calories per serving include the mash too or just the filling? 🙂
Alice x
Sam Turnbull says
Yes the calories are for 1 serving of the entire prepared dish. Enjoy! 🙂
Gwen says
Well, that was delicious!! I didn’t have peas so I added chopped up green pepper and butternut squash. Used leftover mashed potatoes. It was a big hit
Julie Ann Gardner says
Hi Sam, for over 20 odd years I thought I had the best recipe for a shepherds pie and I shared it with many friends, who also agreed.
Nope, this is just divine and I have no suggestions how you could perhaps improve it. Why am I making it in summer? Well here in the UK after having wall to wall sunshine for the lockdown period, restrictions are easing and guess what.....rain, wind, cold so comfort food.
Vicki Karschner says
I was so excited to try this and I spent a lot of time making this however...my lentil mixture was so dry that we had to toss it. I made my lentils in the Instantpot so maybe that's where I went wrong. I added all the veggies and ingredients to the lentils and sooo dry. I wonder where I went wrong? Help! I think it would've been rather yummy except for the dryness.
b . Gribble says
I made this recipe with the garlic mashed potatoes and it is amazing. It taste even better the following day . I shared with three people and they absolutely love it . This is definitely a keeper recipe and the best shepherds pie ever
Tina says
Wow Sam!!! This is the first recipe that I try from your blog. OMG vegan friend, this is freaking amazing, I cannot stop eating it. Where have you been all my life! I cannot wait to try more of your recipes as you are a genius. Thank you for making such amazing vegan recipes.
Sam Turnbull says
Bahahaha! Amazing!! Thrilled you loved it so much, Tina 🙂
shari eisenberg says
When you say seriously the best shepherds pie, you are not kidding!!! This one is a winner!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! Awesome!!
Sheryl says
This was sooo incredibly delicious. The whole family loved it! Thanks!
Audrey says
Where has this recipe been all my life? ! My fiancé who is also quite picky loved it!!
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! Wonderful!
Heidi says
Obsessed!! This dish lives up to it's name - the best shepherds pie i have ever had! It has so much flavor and is even better as leftovers. Would 10/10 recommend this one.
Sam Turnbull says
Aww wonderful! So happy you loved it, Heidi 🙂
B.A. says
I made this last week for a dinner party & it was a total hit!! Thanks for your newsletter, I’ve been making a lot of the recipes!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! So happy you're enjoying, B.A. 🙂
Kathy says
Can I substitute the lentils for something else. I love lentils but my stomach doesn’t handle the well. Thank you
Lizzy says
Hi Sam,
Question about vegan recipes in general...
I suck at cooking so i rely heavily on other's recipes so i notice this a lot. Why to most vegan recipes flavour with either the typical 'Thanksgiving' spices of rosemary, thyme and sage... or any combination of the 3 OR they do the curry thing... Now I'm not saying all... but certainly a huge amount. When we go to vegan restaurants, it's the same. I am not a curry fan, and although I do enjoy thanksgiving savoury, i'd really enjoy basic recipes. Any thoughts as to why these two flavours are so popular?
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Lizzy, I don't consider rosemary, thyme, and sage 'Thanksgiving' spices, they are just wonderful herbs that can be used year round. I have a ton of different recipes with all sorts of different spices used, so feel free to look at my recipe index to find recipes that suit you. Enjoy!
Kirsten Puskar says
Hi Sam, I a diabetes educator and dietitian in PA. Research shows and I have found that the best way to give your pancreas a break (reduce diabetes symptoms) is with swapping out animal proteins for plant-based ones.
I have tried several of your recipes - they are delicious!
But for my patients, can you also show the Carbs and the Protein amounts in your nutrition section? A healthy diet is so much more than the calories!
I look for servings that have less than 45g carb and more than 15g protein.
Thank you Sam!
Kirsten Puskar
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Kristen, the nutrition info is updated for you. All of my newer recipes have the full information but some of the older recipes haven't been updated. Hope that helps!
Hannah says
I've recently started eating vegetarian the past few months and saw this recipe online, I debated whether I'd make this dish as I couldnt see if being a hit with my other half as he is still a meat eater and I'd end up having to waste alot of the leftovers. I made this 2 days ago and the whole dish has been eaten...my husband grimaced at the sight of the lentils, but one bite in and we were both amazed at just how tasty this dish is. I can eat lentils like they're going out of fashion but to have him on board on this one is amazing! I'm not vegan and so I added a little cheese to the top and grilled but this is hands down one of the best recipes I've come across on my new diet journey. Thanks so much!!
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome, Hannah!