Healthy Shepherd’s Pie

Healthy Shepherd’s Pie is one of my go-to recipes over the winter. It is comfort food at its best and uses simple and healthy ingredients. We see a lot of different Shepherd’s Pie recipes online. Technically, unless the recipe uses lamb, it is a cottage pie. It is called a shepherd’s pie because shepherds are the people who look after the sheep. My Healthy Shepherd’s Pie recipe is traditional with a lamb and veggie mixture topped with a generous layer of buttered mashed potatoes. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any time of year.

Want to learn how to make Healthy Shepherd’s Pie?

We are making this recipe during my St. Patrick’s Day online cooking class! Crack open a beer (green optional) and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day virtually with your colleagues. During my virtual cooking class with ingredients delivered to your home, you cook along with me from the comfort of your kitchen. We make Healthy Shepherd’s Pie (or the recipe of y our choice) together from start to finish while chatting away and connecting with your team. They are a fun activity to bond over yummy food in a relaxed environment. Get more info here or email info@jesselanewellness.com for details.

Healthy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 3 large potatoes
• 1 cup milk
• 4 tbsp butter, divided
• 1lb ground lamb
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1/2 cup corn
• 1/2 cup peas
• 1 tbsp flour
• 2 tsp Worcestershire *optional
• 1 tsp pepper, divided
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp salt, divided

Directions

1. Cut 3 large potatoes into chunks and boil in salted water until soft, 15 minutes. Drain potatoes and mash with ½ cup milk, 2 tbsp butter, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.
2. While the potatoes are cooking, heat a large frying pan to medium and add 1 tbsp butter. Add 1lb ground lamb and cook until no longer pink, 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic cloves, onion, carrot, corn and peas and sauté for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Melt 1 tbsp butter in a small saucepan. Whisk in 1 tbsp flour and allow it to bubble for 1 minute. Add 2 tsp Worcestershire, 3/4 tsp pepper, 1 tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp dried rosemary, ½ tsp dried parsley, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 cup of milk and let thicken for 2 minutes.
5. Add gravy to the meat mixture and stir until mixed.
6. Preheat broiler to high. Place the meat mixture at the bottom of a casserole dish. Evenly spread the potatoes over the meat mixture. Broil 8 inches from the top of the oven until the potatoes are golden brown.
7. Top with a sprinkle of fresh or dried parsley before serving.

NOTE: This recipe also works with ground beef, turkey or chicken. It just changes from being a shepherd’s pie to a cottage pie.

Healthy St.Patrick’s Day recipes you will like

When I think about a St. Patrick’s Day recipe I think I need to either be Irish or green. I love greens and green food so I have some green recipes to share that will help you celebrate St.Patrick’s Day at home or with friends.

• Healthy Green Scrambled Eggs are the perfect way to change up regular scrambled eggs. The spinach and basil add flavour and bump up the nutrients in your breakfast. They are a great way to start your St.Patty’s Day with something green.
• Detox Green Hummus is a zesty and refreshing dip that tastes delicious with veggies and crackers. It is packed with parsley that gives it a delicious fresh flavour and detoxifying properties. It is a perfect St. Patrick’s Day dip because it is green and helps detox all of that green beer!
• Add chlorophyll! If you want to experience the health benefits of chlorophyll you can sneak some into your diet by adding liquid chlorophyll to your water. Liquid chlorophyll is practically tasteless and comes in both plain and a variety of flavours. It is dark green in colour and stains everything it touches including food (think food colouring), fabric and fingers.

During the winter months, I gravitate to comforting warm meals to heat me up from the inside out and keep me feeling satisfied. I also love recipes that use the oven because it heats up the kitchen. Here are some yummy winter dinner recipes that you can cosy up with.

Comforting winter meals to check out

• Lentil Sweet Potato Pie is a comforting dish that leaves you feeling satisfied and happy. The herb-infused lentil veggie mixture is topped with creamy sweet potatoes with a touch of cinnamon. Lentils are high in folate and vitamin B6 which boost your mood.
• Pasta with Roasted Garlic and Tomato Sauce (pictured above) is fresh, simple, and ready in under 30 minutes. Making fresh pasta sauce couldn’t be easier when the oven does all of the work. The sauce is made with roasted tomatoes, onion, and garlic blended with Greek yogurt to give it a tangy creaminess. I like to use fibre-rich chickpea pasta and top it with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.
• Veggie Goodness Grain Bowl is so delicious that even meat lovers will be left without room for dessert. The raw veggies are refreshing, the nuts, seeds and crispy tofu provide a protein crunch and the vegan creamy dressing just puts it over the top. Have some fun with the recipe by mixing up the veggies, grains,  nuts and seeds, you can use whatever you have on hand. This amazing grain bowl will leave you feeling satisfied and bursting with energy.
• Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a creamy gourmet dish made with nutritional yeast and cashews instead of heavy cream. The creamy pasta is laced with mushrooms, onions and spinach. It is easily made gluten-free if you use brown rice pasta.
• Like eggplant parmesan? Forget boring cheese and tomato sauce, these vegan Eggplant Hummus Medallions are a winning alternative. The tender eggplant medallions are topped with sauteed red pepper, spinach, hummus and a sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs.