Description
This Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Loaded Sweet Potato is a wholesome, comforting dish that combines tender baked sweet potatoes with a savory ground turkey and vegetable filling. Enhanced with fresh thyme and a rich, thickened broth mixture, it’s a nutritious and delicious twist on classic shepherd’s pie, perfect for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 small sweet potatoes (7 ounces each)
Turkey Filling
- 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, minced
- 1/2 cup minced celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 ounces mushrooms, diced
- 3/4 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon flour (or gluten-free flour mix)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce (check labels for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for baking the sweet potatoes to tender perfection.
- Bake Sweet Potatoes: Wash and dry the sweet potatoes, then pierce them all over with a fork. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 50 to 55 minutes until they are soft and cooked through.
- Brown the Turkey: While the potatoes bake, heat a large deep nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the ground turkey and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Brown the turkey for 5 to 6 minutes until fully cooked.
- Sauté Vegetables: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Push the cooked turkey to one side of the skillet, then add the olive oil, minced onion, celery, garlic, and tomato paste. Cook the vegetables until tender, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally and then combine with the turkey.
- Add Vegetables and Herbs: Stir in the frozen peas and carrots, diced mushrooms, soy sauce, and fresh thyme. Mix everything well to incorporate the flavors.
- Prepare Sauce and Simmer: In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth and flour until smooth. Pour this mixture over the turkey and vegetable filling. Cover the skillet and let it simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Assemble and Serve: Remove the baked sweet potatoes from the oven. Carefully cut each open, then spoon a scant cup of the turkey mixture over each sweet potato. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your wholesome shepherd’s pie twist.
Notes
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure that both the flour and soy sauce are certified gluten-free.
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the turkey mixture.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
- To add some creaminess, try topping the sweet potatoes with a sprinkle of shredded cheese before serving.
