According to Wikipedia, a Shepherdess Pie is the vegetarian version of the Shepherd’s Pie. The meat free version of this well known pie uses beans or soy crumbles to replace the meat, then encases the filling in a crust of mashed potato.
Shepherdess Pie
Now that you know what a Shepherdess Pie is, I’ll tell you how I came to make one.
When my daughter asked me to make dinner for her grad school cohorts, I was more than happy to honor her request. Students are always on a tight budget, so I wanted a hearty meal that would stick to their ribs – Shepherd’s pie.
While Lauren isn’t a strict vegetarian, she rarely eats meat, so I make sure there’s a dish on the table that pleases her palate. This recipe was perfect because I could easily add chicken to another casserole dish and turn it into a meat-eaters meal.
Shepherdess Pie Filling
I decided to use kidney beans and mushrooms for Lauren’s pie. Then I topped it with mashed sweet potatoes to add a boost of flavor to compensate for the missing roasted meat. (I made a chicken and mashed Russet potato version for the meat eaters at the table, but since the vegetarian version is the star of this blog post, it’s not pictured.)
Shepherdess Pie Ready for the Oven
I would love to say that I took pictures of these amazing young people, but I was so interested in their lively conversation that disturbing the moment just didn’t seem right.
However, so you can picture my amazing and beautiful daughter, below is one of my favorite pictures taken at a local library. I’m not in the least bit biased, am I!
Lauren
Thank you for allowing me to share my fun evening with you, and the next time you’re in the mood for Shepherd’s Pie, give this version a try. It’s so hearty, you won’t miss the meat.
Happy cooking!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 2 large carrot , chopped
- 2 cups green beans , cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped
- 10 ounces mushroom , sliced
- 1 can low sodium kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 6 cups sweet potato , cubed
- 2 teaspoons thyme
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- ¼ cup parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- 2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons whole wheat pastry flour
Instructions
- Heat a large dutch oven over medium heat and add oil.
- Add onion, celery and carrots. Cover and cook for 10 minutes until vegetables are crisp tender. Add water as needed to keep from scorching.
- In a large pan over medium heat, use a vegetable steamer to steam sweet potatoes until very tender. Mash with a fork and salt and pepper to taste.
- Add flour to vegetable broth and whisk to combine. Then add broth and remaining ingredients, EXCEPT mashed sweet potatoes to the dutch oven and bring to a boil. Cook for 5 - 10 minutes to thicken broth.
- Pour vegetable mixture into a large square baking dish and spread mashed potatoes on top.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 - 20 minutes to heat through.
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 243, Weight Watchers PointsPlus 6
Total Fat: 2.84g
Cholesterol: –
Sodium: 419mg
Total Carbs: 49.56g
Dietary Fiber: 10.62g
Sugars: 13.27g
Protein: 7.61g
Last updated by at .
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like a wonderful dish!
And that is a very gorgeous picture of your daughter indeed.
Kiri W. recently posted…Donghuamen Night Market in Beijing – Curiosities on a Stick
Thank you! I grabbed the picture from Facebook, so the quality isn’t the best, but I just loved the setting.
This is such a cool idea. Perfect for a meatless monday. Fabulous looking daughter too. You aren’t biased, she’s gorgeous. Love the pic in library like that. I need to get my son to do that. He’s getting his master’s in creative writing. Okay so back to this pie. You are a genius for coming up with this. Ya, I know it’s in the wiki but still. This is the first I’ve heard of it. Thanks for sharing it.
Kim Bee recently posted…Baked Apple with Pecans and Dried Cherries for Slow Cooker Saturday
We can’t help but be proud moms can we? It’s what life is all about.
I’m sure your daughter loved this! Love the combination of herbs you chose!
Baker Street recently posted…Zucchini Bread
Also known as Cottage Pie. Your tweet just caught my eye, because My wife and I just made cottage pie the other day using meatless crumbles (Boca brand).
So would that be called Cottagess pie? ?
Curt recently posted…Smoky Chicken Dip
Ha! I suppose it would be.
Welcome to Squash Love Blog Hop! Thank you for sharing this dish. You have a beautiful daughter indeed!
Annapet recently posted…Squash Blog Hop: Kabocha Squash in Coconut Milk {Ginataang Kalabasa}
Nice outcome with all the veges added inside.
Nava Krishnan recently posted…NEW WAYS WITH BLUSHER (Part 2)
Sounds good.
Christine recently posted…Beer Battered Fried Shrimp
I just made a cottage pie and tried to lighten it up using chicken and cauliflower. I think you have me beat with your delicious vegetarian version with sweet potatoes!! Now that’s even healthier.
Ramona recently posted…Savory Asian Egg Rolls
I love cauliflower and don’t use it often enough. I’ll add it to this recipe the next time I make it.
PS… I loved your suggestion of baking the egg rolls! Next time I’m going to try that too.
Ramona recently posted…Savory Asian Egg Rolls
I started baking them in my Weight Watchers days because they were much lower in points. It works pretty well to bake them, but they definitely need a spritz of cooking oil to get nicely browned.
Love, love, love it! I don’t eat much meat, either (although, my family quite likes it a great deal), and kidney beans and mushrooms are such a great, meaty alternative. I love that you used sweet potatoes on top – great idea!
We try to eat meat free a day or two a week, but I don’t think I could get my husband to do that every day. Have a good week!
I had never heard of shepherdess pie before but it sounds delicious! I love that photo of your daughter too! Looks like she is studying hard at grad school!
Elyse @The Cultural Dish recently posted…Privateer Rum Distillery
I’d never heard of it either. That’s what I love about cooking and blogging. I learn new things all the time.
Your daughter is very pretty and photogenic. This pie is so full of healthy and yummy good stuff. I love that you are so dedicated to your topic.
Sandra recently posted…Chicken Alfredo Pizza
Thank you! I have to be dedicated. Losing 40 pounds was tough, and I don’t want to have to do that again.
I’m sure I would love this! And sweet potatoes instead of white is one great touch. The name of this meatless pie is just pretty darn cute.
Sprigs of Rosemary recently posted…Good for You Pistachio Baked Salmon
Lauren loves sweet potatoes, so she was definitely a happy camper.
I love the library setting for a photo…makes such a visual interest.
The shepherdess pie is fantastic. I didn’t know one existed.
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family recently posted…Pumpkin Bran Muffins and Some Milk
I had no idea either, but it sure was fun researching.
looks so good love the picture of your daughter
rebecca subbiah recently posted…Vegetable Pulav
She is so cute.. I have two daughters myself and can relate to how you feel. The Sheperdess Pie is so tempting loaded with vegetables and a lovely crust.
Malli recently posted…#168 Flawless Jammin Jerk Shrimp Fajitas
There’s something about mothers and daughters.
Looks good. Adding lentils would be good as would some yeast extract to give it that meaty body but avoid using meat.
Great idea, and red lentils would really add some terrific color too. Thank you for visiting!
I love your recipe! Being that it’s meatless and full of veggies is a HUGE PLUS! Thank you for sharing =]
juju recently posted…So what’s up?! + Pressure Cooker Steel Cut Oats!
I love shepherds pie and this vegetarian version of Shepherdess Pie is absolute perfection! Lovely pie and lovely photo of your daughter, I would be bias too.
Georgie recently posted…Harvest Cookies
Thank you Georgie. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
What a GREAT recipe! I had no idea there was such a thing as shepherdess pie! Your daughter is lovely – I can see why your biased!
Ann recently posted…Primavera Rice Casserole
I didn’t know there was such a thing either, but now I have all kinds of ideas swirling in my head. That’s the fun of cooking isn’t it? Being creative. Enjoy your week.
Wow shes gorgeous, looks just like you too! Love the pie my sons favorite
claudia lamascolo/aka pegasuslegend recently posted…Amaretto Garlic Butter Brussel Sprouts
Thank you Claudia! We’re pretty proud of her.
I love the idea of a Shepherdess pie! It looks delicious and I love that it has almost 11 grams of fiber in each serving. That rocks!
Terrific picture of your daughter & the background of books!
It’s nice she still asks you to prepare food for her and her friends, what a compliment
Sandi recently posted…It’s Easy Being Green
Her photographer friend took that picture. She really has a wonderful eye.
wow, shepherdess pie! love how you made it veg friendly. your daughter is so lucky to have such an accomodating mom/cook in the home!
sending some #squashlove to you!
this looks like such a healthy entree! Love all the flavors, perfect for fall!