The ultimate Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie featuring rich, flavourful, saucy lentils topped with fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes & baked until deliciously golden brown & crispy. Easy, healthy, comforting and filling!
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Can we all agree that Shepherd's Pie is the ultimate comfort food? And that doesn't have to change when there is no meat involved. Honestly, it's not needed here. This meatless Lentil Shepherd's Pie is just as good.
Don't let the lentils put you off. They've got a bad rep but just like meat, they take on all the flavours around them. I promise these lentils are the super yummy kind!
We're talking sautéed onions, garlic, herbs and tender lentils in a tasty gravy with real "meaty" depth of flavour, all topped with creamy mashed potato which becomes golden and crispy perfection in the oven.
This Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie is rich with lots of flavour, humble, and every bit as luscious and comforting as you would expect a Shepherd's Pie to be. As an added bonus it's really budget friendly and PACKED with protein too.
Reasons this Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie is everything:
- It's the ultimate comfort food
- Very budget friendly and healthy
- Super tasty
- Protein packed
- Kid friendly!
- It freezes and reheats perfectly
- Great as it is but can also be poshed up to make it a bit more special for holidays or date night. Just add some red wine and fresh herbs (see recipe notes).
- This is a meal that's all about comfort, so get comfortable, close the curtains, cozy up on the sofa (a borderline compulsory step for meals like this) and binge watch your favourite show while enjoying it!
How to make Lentil Shepherd's Pie
(For detailed measurements and instructions, see the printable recipe card).
Basically we are going to take those humble little lentils and elevate them to "super lentil" status by adding them to a pan of saucy gravy-like goodness. Then top it all off with fluffy mashed potato.
Here is your very low key Vegan Shepherd's Pie making process:
Step 1: Peel and chop the potatoes, cover with water and cook 'til tender.
Step 2: Check you have some cooked lentils ready. If not cook some quickly now while the potatoes are boiling. They don't take long at all.
Reason why I mention this? .... Because I forget every-time and end up having to cook them at the last minute!
Step 3: Sauté the onions, garlic and carrots until golden. Very important for flavour!
Step 4: Add the herbs, lentils and arrowroot and give it all a stir
Step 5: Then add the tomatoes and Tamari or soy sauce.
Step 6: Then the stock and stir over the heat until just starting to bubble. Then turn off the heat and season to taste.
Step 7: Mash the potatoes.
Step 8: Transfer the lentil mixture to an oven proof dish, top with the fluffy mash, then rough up with a fork ... Very important for getting crispy golden bits which I believe are essential for a good vegan Shepherd's Pie!
Step 9: Bake, then finish up by broiling (or putting under the grill for the UK people!) for maximum golden crispiness, then take a minute to admire it's beautiful bubbling edges.
Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie Success Tips
- You must use green or brown lentils. Red lentils will not work in this recipe.
- Sauté the onions, garlic and carrots until really golden. This is very important for maximum flavour.
- Don't skip the Tamari or soy sauce. It is really essential for meaty depth of flavour in this recipe.
- Be generous with seasoning. It is so important for enhancing flavour. (Notice the flavour theme going on here .... every single little ingredient/step works to add another layer and that's how it ends up tasting so good and is why you should not skip any of them).
- Don't skip letting the potatoes steam themselves dry. Watery potatoes are no-ones friend and will cause them to weep into the filling underneath and not taste as good either.
- If you have a stand mixer, throw the boiled potatoes, plant milk and vegan butter in there and beat it together with the paddle attachment rather than using a potato masher. It creates the best mashed potato with zero effort.
- Cooling the filling makes the whole spreading of the potato much easier, but to be honest with you, I never wait because I'm too inpatient. Just follow my next tip if you are the same.
- Spoon smallish dollops of mashed potato all over, then spread it with a fork. Don't just splodge a whole pan-full of mashed potato in the middle of the filling or you will create a lentil gravy type tsunami!
- It's totally optional, but if you aren't WFPB, I highly recommend brushing the top of the mashed potato with oil for maximum golden, crispiness and, you guessed it, another layer of flavour/texture.
- Um .... Have a piece of heavily (vegan) buttered bread ready to mop up your plate on finishing ... That's my ultimate comfort food Lentil Shepherd's Pie success tip ;O)
How to serve Lentil Shepherd's Pie
My favourite way to eat my Lentil Shepherd's Pie is with steamed vegetables or roasted red cabbage on one side and a glass of red wine on the other ;O) It's particularly good with green veggies like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, broccoli and peas and with regards wine, a nice fruity Merlot.
Some people serve their shepherd's pie with salad but as much as I like salad, I personally don't think it works as well as vegetables with this dish.
Don't shoot me down in flames for admitting this, but it is also pretty awesome when served with canned baked beans. The comfort food experience increases ten fold and is a combo that is definitely going to be appreciated by kids!
What are the best potatoes for mashed potato?
I can think of zero situations that are not improved by a dreamy pile of fluffy vegan mashed potatoes, but you cannot achieve peak mash excellence without the right potato for the job.
What are the best potatoes for mashing into buttery, rich fluffy mountains?
My potatoes of choice for roasting, mashing, stews, almost everything really, are Yukon Gold potatoes. They aren't grainy, watery or mushy and they have a buttery flavour which is always a good thing. They make excellent mashed potatoes.
I tend to avoid russets because they are a bit tasteless once boiled and mashed.
If you are in the UK Desiree and Maris Pipers are best.
Ways you can adapt this recipe
- Posh it up with red wine instead of the stock, and fresh herbs like a good few sprigs each of thyme and rosemary instead of dried herbs. Then brush the mashed potato top with an obscene amount of melted vegan butter. Yep .. Instantly transformed to date night or holiday meal standards!
- Use meatless ground round instead of the lentils. Honestly not needed though, unless you have some that needs using up. The lentils are absolutely great in this recipe.
- Add some chopped mushrooms at the same time as you add the lentils. If I had a husband who liked them they would be in this for sure!
- Sprinkle the top of the pie with shredded vegan cheese before you put it in the oven. Over the top mashed potato deliciousness!
- Try using mashed root vegetables instead of potato for a nice change. There is a recipe in my cookbook if you have it.
How to store leftovers
Store leftover Shepherd's Pie covered or in a sealed container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days and reheat in the oven or in a microwave. Leftover can also be frozen.
How to freeze
You can either freeze this recipe directly after assembling and before baking, or freeze it after it has been baked. In both instances, allow to cool completely then wrap very well.
Defrost in the fridge overnight and then bake as per the recipe instructions, 400 °F (200°C) for 30 minutes. If it was cooked prior to freezing and starts colouring too much, simply tent with foil, in the last 10 minutes.
Recipe
Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
Author:WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Ingredients
For the mashed potato
- 1000g / about 6 large potatoes , I love Yukon Gold for this
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup / 80 mls non-dairy milk , unsweetened
- vegan butter ,OPTIONAL. Add as much or little as you like. I usually add a couple of tablespoons. If you omit the butter, add an extra drop of milk to compensate.
For the Shepherd's Pie filling
- 2 teaspoons olive oil (optional - use water to sauté to make the recipe oil-free)
- 1 medium onion , chopped finely
- 4 cloves garlic , chopped finely
- 1 large carrot , peeled & diced
- 2½ teaspoons dried herbs (thyme, rosemary or marjoram all work well, or a combination of them. Mixed Herbs or Italian Mixed Herbs are also fine)
- 2½ cups / 190 g canned/cooked green or brown lentils , (NOT red lentils)
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot or cornstarch , (cornflour in the UK)
- 3 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce , or coconut aminos or liquid aminos
- 1 cup / 240 mls canned crushed tomatoes or passata (if you only have whole or diced tomatoes just blend them up until smooth)
- 1 cup / 240 mls mushroom or vegetable stock
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper , or to taste
- 1½ teaspoons sea salt , or to taste (reduce as necessary if using table salt)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 400° f (200 °C)
- Peel the potatoes (or leave the peels on and wash if you prefer), then chop each potato into about 6 pieces. Put the chopped potatoes in a large pan and cover with hot water from a kettle. Add the salt, cover and bring to the boil. Simmer for about 15 minutes until the potatoes are very tender (check with a fork or knife). Drain then return to the pan and leave them alone with the lid off for a few minutes to allow them to steam dry.
- Add the milk and optional butter to the pan and mash very well until creamy. Set aside.
- While the potatoes are cooking, warm another pan over a medium heat. Add the oil (or use a little water instead to keep it oil-free) and sauté the onions, garlic and carrot until the onions are starting to go golden brown.
- Add the herbs, lentils, and arrowroot or cornstarch. Stir well then add the tamari or soy sauce, followed by the tomatoes, and stir well.
- Add the stock and stir again. As soon as it is just starting to bubble, turn off the heat, season with salt and pepper and spoon the lentil mixture into an ovenproof dish.
- Spoon the mashed potatoes over the top of the lentil mixture, then using a fork spread it out evenly. A few little gaps around the edges are fine. Rough the potato up with the fork (the rough bits create more crispy bits). At this point you can brush it with a little oil or vegan butter for even more crispiness, or just leave it as it is.
- Place the dish on a baking tray (to protect the bottom of your oven in case of any leaks), and bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Then pop it under the broiler/grill for a few minutes to make it extra crispy before serving.
NOTES
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NUTRITION
This recipe was originally published on April 1st 2016, but the post was updated and new photos and a video were added on January 3rd 2020. The recipe remains the same.
Mary says
Hi there!
I a man hoping you can answer this for me! I don't have corn starch or arrowroot, can I use flower instead? I've seen a few other recipes that use flower to thicken but I am not sure if that's what I should do using your recipe.
Thank you!
A Virtual Vegan says
Yes that will be fine. You will need a bit more though. I'd go with 4 tablespoons, and be sure to let it cook out for a good few minutes with you stirring frequently before you go on to add the other ingredients so you don't end up with a raw flour taste. I would also add the stock before the tomatoes. Very, very gradually, stirring really, really well between each addition to work out any lumps. Then ad the tomatoes and carry on as it says in the recipe. Hope that helps!
Tracy G says
Hi there - have cooked much with lentils - and have a bag of lentil trio - which has some red lentils in it - Can you tell me why to not use red lentils ? Is it taste/texture or aesthetics ?
A Virtual Vegan says
Red lentils disintegrate while cooking so you'd have no texture if that's all you used. It would just be a thick mush. You might get away with using your lentil trio though as it's not all red lentils. If they do disintegrate a bit you might just need to add a touch more liquid to the filling while cooking to make up for it.Hope that helps!
Tracy G says
Thanks so much ! I’ll probably use the trio for something else and go get some green and brown to make your recipe ! Can’t wait - it sound delicious !
Joan Richardson says
Haven't tried, but just by reading the ingredients I know it will be delicious and the hints were great. I would give this 10 stars if I could thank you. Just what is needed to bring a little comfort in our life today.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Joan. I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to try it!
Stephanie Milligan says
I am so happy and relieved to have a collection of vegan recipes that truly taste amazing! I am a new vegan, started on Valentine's Day this year. Cooking is my hobby and I was worried that my food wouldn't be as good and my family would be disappointed. I made this recipe for St. Paddy's and it was absolutely delicious!! My non vegan family members loved it! This is the 3rd recipe I've tried and I have been ecstatic with the results. I will continue to have fun making your recipes! Thank you so much!!!
A Virtual Vegan says
Yay! So pleased you all enjoyed it Stephanie!
Julie J says
Hi Mel,
This looks amazing! What size baking dish should I use? Also, oil or "grease" it first? Thank you!
A Virtual Vegan says
I never oil or grease my dishes when making shepherd's pie. You can if you want to though. I just checked the dish I made it in and it holds 8 cups / just short of 2 litres. Hope that helps!
JulieJ says
Thank you!
Robyn says
So good! My husband doesn't usually like veggie meals but loved this one. Thanks!
Patricia Giannelia says
I have a very similar recipe, and it is amazingly easy and wonderful. My brother was visiting the last time we had it and ate thirds! A couple of suggestions: SAVE your potato water when you drain them. I use some for the mashing, and then cool off the rest and keep it on hand (frozen) for use later in soups and gravies. (Ditto with yams, vegetables, etc.) Also, instead of vegan butter, I add a about 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast - great flavour and nutrition.
Anne says
I served this to guests for dinner last night, and everyone loved it! It's so good that I'll make it a regular go to meal for the winter. I did add a cup of red wine instead of stock, and it added lots of flavour. ???
A Virtual Vegan says
Red wine is a great addition. I do that too when I want to fancy it up a bit. Glad you all enjoyed it!
Marlene says
Hi Mel, I want to verify before making this recipe, will 2 1/2 cups of dried brown or green lentils when cooked be 190 g as required in your recipe? Thanks and looking forward to tasting this dish!
A Virtual Vegan says
You need 2.5 cups or 190g of already cooked lentils. They roughly double in volume when they cook so you are looking at needing about 1.25 cups dried. I always do 1.5 just in case though then use leftover in other things.
Janet Walters says
Quick question: would tinned brown lentils be ok? I’d rinse them of course...
A Virtual Vegan says
I've never tried tinned lentils. My worry would be they will end up a bit mushy if they are softer from the tin than they are when you cook them at home yourself. But if you're ok with that then go for it. It will still taste great!
Janet says
Thank you. This is a great idea.
Our family loves lentil tacos. So this shepherd's pie will most likely be a hit to add to our favorite meals. We make other meals using green lentils/brown lentils. Plus our fave for red lentils is a vegan soup I created "red lentil tomato soup"......soooo yum, oh my!! We also have some lentil meals with meat added as we are not vegan nor vegetarian, of which my fave is one I created called "Italian lentil stew" (cooked lentils, cooked wheat, cooked crumbled sausage, onions, garlic, crushed tomatoes, water, italian seasonings). 3 desserts we make with legumes: lentil chocolate cake, pinto 'pecan' pie with wheaty crust, apple lentil cake. We also like a '3-bean' salad I created with lentils, pintos, green beans, cabbage that has been successfully taste-tested by several crowds. My goal in daily meals: one meal based on wheat/grains, one meal based on beans/lentils, one meal based on vegetables (with one of those allowing meat sparingly if it fits in the recipes for that day). I have always been ahead of my time, I started my children on healthy meals wayyy before it became a 'thing'. And healthy meals are NOT expensive, they can be made from basic ingredients and learned skills.
Laura says
It’s a hit! I cooked my lentils in my Instant Pot (9 min pressure, 10 min npr) and topped the pie with mashed sweet potatoes. So good! It will definitely be a regular menu item.
A Virtual Vegan says
Glad you enjoyed it Laura!
Teresa Brown says
Absolutely delicious without any changes! My husband and I both loved it. I divided the results into two loaf pans and gave the other one to my son.
A Virtual Vegan says
I'm really pleased you both enjoyed it. I love the idea of using loaf pans for dividing it up!
Beth says
Hey there Mel. TMI but I don't do well with lentils (or chickpeas). And with my brand new soy allergy, I can't sub TVP or diced tofu.
I know it would be a completely different flavor, but do you think navy beans would work? It's hard to describe the taste but they are very mellow in flavor.
https://bushbeans.com/en_US/product/navy-beans
A Virtual Vegan says
I suppose you could. The green lentils give the right texture and appearance though. I wouldn't personally use beans. It would just feel/look odd to me in a Shepherd's Pie. If I had to though I think I'd use black beans.
You could just make it with loads and loads of veggies to bulk it out. Peas, carrots, mushrooms etc. Are there any vegan ground minced beef style products you can use? That would work instead of the lentils too.
Tess Leahy says
Once again, your recipes are delicious. I added red wine instead of stock and added a little nutritional yeast to the mash for indulgence. My husband loves extra gravy so I served his with your Red wine gravy and also some turnip on the side (very Irish thing to do :) ) Thank you so much for sharing this fantastic recipe. It makes veganism so easy for my husband and I
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you so much Tess! I'm really pleased you both enjoyed it. And why have I never thought to add nutritional yeast to mashed potato??? Trying that ASAP!
Doris says
My mom made a delicious Sherherd's Pie. Very simple ingredients, but the main difference was she ALWAYS put a couple cups of drained, whole kernel corn on the meat layer before adding the potatoes! I made it this way for more than 50 years. When I made your recipe I adapted it to the seasonings I remembered, sans tomato, and cooked as usual. Very good, but something was missing! Then I realized it was the corn! I added a can of drained whole kernel corn and was very pleased with the results! So good! Sorry if I didn't follow your recipe exactly but thank you so much for the idea of lentils in place of meat! Much preferred! Just don't forget the corn!!?☺ You have to try it! Really takes it over the top!
Gail says
Hi Doris, This is what I was thinking of trying next time I make this too. Corn and no tomatoes. (The recipe was absolutely lovely just the way it is, by the way, but I am craving my mom's old taste, without the meat... ) I was wondering if you added another liquid instead of the tomato sauce or did you just leave it out altogether?
Gail says
Oh dear... I really wish there was an edit button. I should have said craving the taste of my mom's old recipe! lol.
Sarah says
Really delicious. The whole family enjoyed it.