Beef and Lentil Shepherd's Pie Recipe | Nutritious Comfort Food! (2024)

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This Beef and Lentil Shepherd’s Pie is big time comfort food!I took a tasty twist on the traditional filling by adding lentils, barley and lots of veggies. I’m all about simple cooking with nutritional impact, and lentils in particular, pack a punch of protein, fiber and minerals.

I discovered my love for lentils at a food conference a few years agowhen I sawhow versatile theywere. (That’s why I’m so happy to be working with Canadian Lentils on this #LoveALentil campaign. Their lentil quesadillasamples changed my life.)

Lentils cango way beyond the soups and stews, y’all. Think salads, smoothies and even desserts! But for now,they’re going into this yummy beef and lentil shepherd’s pie recipe, andit’s delicious!

Beef and Lentil Shepherd's Pie Recipe | Nutritious Comfort Food! (1)

Try my chicken Mexi-bowl recipe with lentils too!

The lentils you see most often on grocery store shelves are whole green lentils and split red lentils. Split lentils have their seed coat removed, and the inner part of the lentil has been split in half. Here’s a pic of the lentils in my pantry, so you can see the difference in thickness. (It takes split lentils about half the time to cook.)

Pssst, packaged lentils should be stored in airtight containers in a dry, dark cool location (like in a pantry or on a cupboard shelf) for up to a year.

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Lentils are simple to cook (rinse, simmer, serve), but here’s a tip to make preparation even easier. You can puree and freeze lentils in specific quantities, so the next time you need some for a recipe, just thaw out the needed portion. Smart, right?

I love them becausein spite of their tiny size, there’s a whopping amount of protein and fiber. In a 100 gram serving of whole green lentils, there are 26 grams of protein, and in the same size serving of split red lentils, there are 18 grams of fiber.

Now you can see why I used them in my shepherd’s pie recipe. Lentils don’t mess around!

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To make the filling for the beef and lentil shepherd’s pie, I sauteed some carrots, onion and garlic, and separately browned some ground beef.

I added everythingtoa big stockpot along with beef broth, lentils, barley, tomatoes, peas, corn and seasonings and let all those flavors simmer together for 30-40 minutes.

While that was simmering, I made some homemade mashed potatoes for the topping.

The filling wentinto the bottom of a large casserole dish.

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And the mashed potatoes were smoothed over the top.

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The whole shebang went into the oven for 30 minutes.

I stuck mine under the broiler for just a couple minutes at the end to brown the potatoes too, and then I let the mealsit on the counter for about 15 minutes before serving.

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It was oh, so yummy!

Tip: Individual servingscan be frozen and reheated.

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Beef and Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

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Beef and Lentil Shepherd's Pie

Liz - Eat Move Make

This Beef and Lentil Shepherd's Pie is big time comfort food! A tasty twist on the traditional filling with lentils, barley and lots of veggies!

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Resting Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Course Entree

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 490 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • ½ sweet onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup split red lentils rinsed and drained
  • ½ cup pearl barley
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 14.5- oz can whole kernel corn drained
  • 1 14.5- oz can green peas drained
  • 1 10 oz can diced tomatoes w/ green chiles
  • 4 pounds golden potatoes peeled and quartered
  • cup milk
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a large saucepan over medium high heat, saute carrots and onions in 1 Tbsp olive oil about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute for another minute. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.

  • Transfer to large stock pot and add beef broth, lentils, barley, thyme and soy sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in corn, green peas and tomatoes; continue simmering another 10 minutes.

  • While lentils are simmering, brown ground beef, and cook potatoes. Place potatoes in large stockpot; add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover loosely and boil gently for 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain well. Mash. Season with butter, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and keep warm.

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  • Add ground beef to beef stock mixture.

  • Lightly grease a 3 quart baking dish and pour lentil mixture into dish. Use a spatula to spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the ground beef/lentil mixture. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.

  • Bake 30 minutes, or until potatoes are lightly browned on top. Let stand about 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

To make a vegetarian shepherd's pie recipe, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth in place of beef broth.

All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only and nutrition may vary according to exact products and the online nutrition calculator being used. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on EatMoveMake.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 73gProtein: 26gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 681mgPotassium: 1468mgFiber: 19gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1943IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 86mgIron: 6mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

I hope this beef and lentil shepherd’s pie recipe gets you thinking about all the possibilities of cooking with lentils. They’re easy to cook and eat, heart-smart and rich in nutrition —perfect additions to your pantry!

What are your favorite lentil recipes?

About Liz

Liz is a midwestern mom gone southern (accent in transition). She lives in North Carolina and loves cooking, baking, traveling, movies, crafts, hot and cold tea, wine, pizza and the occasional nap. She also revels in the fact she's a crazy cat lady.

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Welcome!

I’m Liz! Thank you for visiting Eat Move Make. Here you will find a collection of easy & delicious year-round recipes, seasonal ideas, and DIY craft inspiration. Visit my About Me page for more of my story.

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FAQs

What is a shepherd's pie called when it is made from beef? ›

Cottage Pie vs. Shepherd's Pie. The main difference between Cottage Pie and Shepherd's pie is cottage pie uses ground beef, and Shepherd's pie uses ground lamb. Both pies are cooked with vegetables and gravy and baked under a layer of mashed potatoes.

What ingredients does shepherd's pie a traditional Irish dish contain? ›

Irish Shepherd's Pie is a delicious comforting dish perfect for celebrating the upcoming St Patrick's Day. Ground meat is cooked with lots of vegetables and Guinness, topped with delicious mashed potatoes and cheese and then baked to create a perfect golden crust.

Does shepherds pie have a lot of sodium? ›

Nutritional analysis (per serving):

922 calories. 34g protein. 72g fat. 931mg sodium.

What is vegan shepherds pie made of? ›

A traditional shepherd's pie fillings contain onions, carrots, celery, peas, and of course meat (typically lamb). My plant-based version starts with brown (or green) lentils and onions, which get cooked down until beautifully browned, alongside plenty of garlic.

Why do Irish people eat shepherd's pie? ›

It's called cottage pie in the U.K. because they use beef and in Ireland since the shepherds tend sheep, it's shepherd's pie. No doubt, the English put out an excellent cottage pie, but in Ireland it used to be a delicacy since the Irish couldn't afford beef they repurposed any unused veggies and meat.

What ethnicity is shepherd's pie? ›

The dish originates from the British Isles, but some might argue that it is an Irish dish by origin. The name "Shepherd's Pie" was first recorded in an 1877 cookbook. In this same cookbook, it was noted that the dish was of Scottish origin. During the period between the 18th and 19th centuries, money was very tight.

What is funeral pie made of? ›

Vintage Funeral Pie Recipe is an old-fashioned dessert that is made from raisins, spices, and walnuts. It was traditionally made by the Amish, but this sugary pie fits right into a Southern cook's recipe box.

Does shepherd's pie have gravy in it? ›

This Easy Shepherd's Pie recipe is made with ground beef, brown gravy, and frozen vegetables in less than 30 minutes on the stove top. Broil in the oven for just 5 minutes and dinner is served!

What are the ingredients in Centerville shepherd's pie? ›

Filling: Ground Beef, Cream Style Corn (Corn, Water, Sugar, Modified Corn Starch, Salt), Whole Kernel Corn, Onion, Garlic, Soybean Oil, Salt, Sugar, Black Pepper, Nutmeg] Mashed Potatoes (Skim Milk, Butter, Whole Milk, Salt Disodium Pyrophosphate [Added to Maintain Color], Potassium Sorbate [Added to Maintain Freshness ...

Why is flour used in shepherds pie? ›

This shepherd's pie recipe uses 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken the gravy but if you feel like the meat mixture is too watery, add in another tablespoon and stir to combine. You may also try simmering the mince mixture for longer so that the stock reduces down and thickens.

How do you make shepherd's pie less salty? ›

Add Dairy. Milk can go a long way in solving the salty gravy (or sauce) problem. The creaminess in milk and other dairy products desensitizes your taste buds, making the sauce taste less salty. Using dairy adds richness, too.

How do you reduce salt in shepherd's pie? ›

Add Dairy. A creamy dairy product will coat your mouth, essentially tricking your palate. Heavy cream, half-and-half, or a pat of butter are good solutions for a dish that needs to simmer for a little longer. Add sour cream or a knob of cream cheese at the end and off the heat source to prevent them from breaking.

What is Costco shepherd's pie made of? ›

Ingredients: Beef and/or veal, vegetable sauce (water, onion, green peas, corn, seasoning [sugars [glucose solids, dextrose, maltodextrin], flour, modified cornstarch, canola oil, hydrolyzed soy protein, dehydrated vegetables, [ tomato, onion, beet, garlic], modified cellulose, beef extract, disodium guanylate, ...

Is shepherds pie and cottage pie the same? ›

These meaty, mince-filled and mash potato-topped pies are very similar, the difference comes down to the filling. Cottage pie is usually made with beef, whereas shepherd's pie is made with lamb. You can also add vegetables and aromats to the filling, such as onions, garlic, carrot, zucchini and rosemary.

Why is shepherds pie called chinese pie? ›

Most workers ate their meat, potatoes and corn separately but workers of mainly Asian origins, combined their rations to create shepherd's pie, a more communal dish. The French-Canadian railway workers liked this new concoction, adopted the dish, and called it “pâté chinois”, which loosely translates to Chinese pie.

What is a British meat pie called? ›

Steak and ale pie is a traditional British dish where a perfectly cooked pastry shell is filled to the rafters with tender slow-cooked steak, gravy and various vegetables. The early versions of this British staple were first recorded in the 18th century, where a beefsteak pudding was combined with suet.

What meat is cottage pie made of? ›

Cottage Pie – comfort food central! This English classic has a deeply savoury beef mince filling smothered in gravy topped with creamy mashed potato, baked until golden. One of the best cosy foods to make with ground beef!

What is another name for shepherd's pie? ›

Shepherd's pie, cottage pie, or in its French version hachis Parmentier, is a savoury dish of cooked minced meat topped with mashed potato and baked, formerly also called Sanders or Saunders.

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