Delightful Turkey Shepherd’s Pie: A Lighter Take on a Comfort Food Classic

Shepherd’s pie is the ultimate comfort food. With its rich savory filling and creamy mashed potato topping it’s no wonder this classic dish has been pleasing palates for generations. But sometimes you want a lighter, healthier version that doesn’t skimp on flavor. That’s where turkey shepherd’s pie comes in!

This amazing recipe swaps out the traditional lamb or beef for lean protein-packed ground turkey. You still get the same comforting taste and texture just with less fat and calories. I’ve made this turkey shepherd’s pie several times now, and it never disappoints. Keep reading for my full recipe, including tips and tricks for making it perfectly.

Benefits of Choosing Turkey

There are a few reasons why turkey makes a great choice for shepherd’s pie:

• Lower in fat and calories: Ground turkey is much leaner than ground lamb or beef. An 85/15 blend of ground turkey has about half the fat and calories per serving compared to 80/20 ground beef. This makes turkey shepherd’s pie a lighter, healthier option.

• Packed with protein: A 100 gram serving of ground turkey packs an impressive 26 grams of protein. This helps keep you feeling full and satisfied.

• Versatile flavor: Ground turkey has a milder flavor than beef or lamb. This allows the other ingredients like vegetables, herbs, and seasonings to shine through.

• Budget-friendly: Pound for pound, ground turkey costs less than other ground meats. It provides an affordable way to make a family favorite.

So if you’re looking for a delicious shepherd’s pie that’s a little lighter on the waistline and wallet, turkey is the way to go! Now let’s get to the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs ground turkey
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 large carrots, peeled and diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1⁄2 cups frozen peas
• 1 1⁄2 cups frozen corn
• 1⁄4 cup tomato paste
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 1⁄2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

Cook the Vegetables

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent.

2. Add the carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies start to caramelize.

3. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Then stir in the peas, corn, tomato paste, rosemary, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 3-4 minutes to meld the flavors.

Brown the Turkey

1. In a separate skillet, cook the ground turkey over medium-high heat. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

2. Cook for about 10 minutes until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if needed.

Make the Filling

1. Transfer the cooked turkey to the skillet with the vegetables. Add the chicken broth and stir to combine.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour with 2 tbsp water. Pour into the filling mixture.

3. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes until the filling has thickened. Remove from heat.

Assemble the Pie

1. Transfer the filling to a 9×13 baking dish. Top evenly with the mashed potatoes.

2. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the potatoes.

3. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.

4. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Cooking Tips

• For the mashed potatoes, use Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. Boil until fork tender then mash smooth with butter, milk, salt, and pepper.

• For extra flavor, use a mix of white and cremini mushrooms. Clean and slice them before adding to the veggies.

• Try using a blend of shredded cheddar and parmesan cheese on top for a delicious cheesy topping.

• Let the pie rest for 5-10 minutes before serving so the filling can set.

• Garnish with fresh parsley, green onion, or chives for a pop of color.

Make it Your Own

The great thing about shepherd’s pie is how customizable it is. Try these fun add-ins or substitutions:

• Use ground chicken or a turkey-chicken blend instead of just turkey.

• Add a dash of red wine or balsamic vinegar to the filling.

• Mix up the veggies by using parsnips, Brussels sprouts, or green beans.

• Top with mashed sweet potatoes instead of Russets for a seasonal twist.

• Stir cheese like cheddar or goat right into the mashed potato topping.

• For spice, add a dash of hot sauce or chili powder to the filling.

No matter how you change it up, turkey shepherd’s pie makes for a filling, comforting meal the whole family will love. The leaner meat, heaping helping of vegetables, and cheesy topping makes this dish a winner on any weeknight. I hope you’ll give this lighter spin on classic shepherd’s pie a try soon!