This vegetarian lentil shepherd’s pie is filling, warming and packed full of flavour and goodness. Made with puy lentils and a generous amount of vegetables this is healthy comfort food everyone will love.

Lentil and vegetable shepherd's pie in oval dish.

If you are a fan of shepherd’s pie then you will love this vegetarian version of this classic dish. It is just as easy to make, filling and delicious but uses healthy plant protein as well as a generous amount of vegetables.

Despite being made from scratch (it uses dried, rather than canned lentils) this lentil shepherd's pie takes only about 30 minutes to prepare and another 25 minutes to bake to golden perfection.

Lentil shepherd’s pie ingredients

The filling in this pie consists of puy lentils, simple vegetables including onion, celery, garlic and carrot as well as corn and peas for added sweetness and bulk. The ingredients cook in vegetable stock along with Worcestershire sauce, tomato puree, thyme and onion granules for more depth of flavour.

The topping consists of creamy mashed potato and a scatter of mature cheddar cheese for added colour and flavour.

Lentil shepherd's pie ingredients in individual dishes. — Lentil shepherd's pie filling ingredients.

What lentils to use

I used dried puy lentils but you can use black lentils (beluga lentils) if you prefer. I don’t recommend using ordinary green lentils as they don’t keep their shape as well as puy lentils and the mixture can become a little mushy.

What potatoes to use

I recommend using starchy, floury varieties such as Maris Piper, King Edward, or Vivaldi, Russet or Yukon Gold.

Top tip

For a super creamy consistency it is important to mash the potatoes while hot.

Step-by-step recipe instructions

1.Peel and boil the potatoes in salted water, drain well, add the butter and milk and mash until smooth and creamy. Cover and set aside. In the meantime prepare the filling.

In a large pan heat up the oil, add the onion, celery and garlic and cook over a low/medium heat for about 3 minutes until softened stirring often. Add the wine and cook for another minute.

Chopped onion and celery in large white shallow pan.

2. Add the lentils and cook for 2 minutes stirring often. Add half of the stock, cover, bring to the boil then simmer for 6 minutes.

Cooking lentils and onion in large shallow pan.

3. Add the carrots, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, onion granules, more stock, stir, cover and simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally. In the meantime preheat the oven to 400 F/ 200 C/ gas mark 6.

4. Add the corn and peas then scatter the flour over the top and stir until no longer visible. Cook for a couple of minutes until the mixture thickens and starts bubbling up (add any remaining stock at this point).

Cooking lentil shepherd's pie filling with vegetables and flour visible.

5. Remove from the heat, adjust the seasoning as needed (be generous with the pepper) and pour the filling mixture into a medium casserole dish (about 6 cm/2.5 in deep).

Lentil and vegetable pie filling in oval dish.

6. Top with the mashed potato, scatter the cheese over the whole thing and bake in the upper part of the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden.

Shepherd's pie with potato topping and scatter of grated cheese.

7. Remove from the oven and serve.

Top down view of baked vegetarian shepherd's pie in oval dish.

Serving suggestions

Enjoy this lentil shepherd’s pie with a piece of baguette or another crusty bread, Yorkshire pudding, roasted or steamed vegetables or simply on its own. I also love this pie with crunchy gherkins/dill pickles or beetroot chutney.

Substitutions

Petits pois are sweeter than garden peas but use whichever you prefer.
Use any strong cheese (semi-hard or hard) instead of the cheddar.
Worcestershire sauce: substitute balsamic vinegar if preferred. Alternatively add a bit of both (up to 2.5 tbsp in total).

How to veganise this recipe

This vegetarian shepherd’s pie can be easily veganised if you make a few swaps. Use plant-based spread instead of butter for the potato topping and add either oat or soya milk. Either omit the cheese or use vegan cheese. You can also melt a bit of the vegna spread (approx. 1 tbsp) and drizzle over the mash before putting in the oven.

Top down partial view of lentil vegetable shepherd's pie in oval dish.

Top tips and FAQs

You do NOT need to soak the lentils. Simply rinse, drain well and cook along with the other ingredients (as per Instructions).
To save time prepare the potato mash while the filling mixture is bubbling away.
Mash the potatoes (while hot) until creamy and there are no lumps.
You can prepare the potato mash in advance but heat it up before topping the pie (it will be easier to work with).
Bake this shepherd’s pie in the upper part of the oven so the top browns nicely and relatively quickly.
Refrigerate leftovers, covered, for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Freeze for up to 3 months.

Check out also these other easy vegetarian meal ideas!

Keep in touch!

If you make this vegetarian shepherd’s pie with lentil I’d love to know how it turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks!

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