Beef Shepherds Pie Sweet (Printer-Friendly)
A comforting dish of beef and vegetables beneath a creamy sweet potato topping, perfect for a warm meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Sweet Potato Topping
01 - 3.3 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
02 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 1/4 cup milk
04 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Beef Filling
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 medium carrots, diced
09 - 2 celery stalks, diced
10 - 1.65 lbs ground beef
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1 tsp dried thyme
13 - 1 tsp dried rosemary
14 - 3/4 cup beef stock
15 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
16 - 1 cup frozen peas
17 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Place sweet potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain well.
03 - Mash sweet potatoes with butter and milk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
05 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
06 - Stir in tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, beef stock, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly.
07 - Stir in frozen peas and cook for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
08 - Transfer beef filling to a 2-quart baking dish. Spread sweet potato mash evenly over the beef mixture. Use a fork to create ridges for a decorative finish.
09 - Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until topping is lightly browned and filling is bubbling.
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sweet potato topping adds natural sweetness that perfectly balances the rich, savory beef filling
- Everything cooks in one pan plus a pot, making cleanup surprisingly manageable
- This reheats beautifully and actually tastes better the next day, perfect for meal prep
02 -
- Drain the sweet potatoes really well after boiling—excess water makes the mash too loose to spread properly
- The fork ridges on the sweet potato topping are not just decorative—they create extra crispy, golden edges everyone fights over
- Letting the pie rest for those 5 minutes before serving is crucial for clean portions that hold their shape
03 -
- Use a potato ricer for the smoothest sweet potato topping—no lumps, just creamy perfection
- The filling can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated, making assembly quick and easy