Best shepherds pie with ground turkey baked in the oven. Make with creamy homemade or easy Shepherd’s Pie with Instant Potatoes and cheese on top. A healthy lower fat version of this Old Fashioned comfort food in a casserole dish.
Mashed potatoes with ground turkey is the perfect combination with a thick rich gravy and vegetables. An easy way to make your favorite dishes but with less fat overall. Topped with cheese or kept dairy free with carrot, corn and green beans inside makes a great dinner. (affiliate links present)
Ground Turkey Shepherds Pie Recipe
Yes we have all made Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef before. In the new year I am always thinking of how I can make our favorite family friendly dishes but in a healthy way. Overall this isn’t a low fat meal because of the other components but you can alter those as well. Instant potatoes is a healthier option too.
If all you have is still in the freezer we have tips on how to cook Instant Pot Frozen Ground Turkey first, then you can proceed to the next step by step directions below. You can find ground chicken at the store too which will have a similar flavor and health benefits as well.
If you wanted to make this as Slow Cooker Shepherds Pie you would use that as the vessel instead. Typically since this is such a large pot I will double it. Keep in mind that although the filling will turn out very similar this way, the top will not get to a crispy golden brown.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs potatoes peeled and cubed
- Heavy whipping cream or sour cream
- 3 tbsp parmesan is optional
- Salt and pepper are basic seasonings
- 1 tbsp butter or dairy free alternative
- 1 onion diced
- Minced garlic
- 1 lb ground turkey cooked and drained
- 1 c frozen mixed vegetables or frozen peas work well
- All purpose flour to thicken gravy
- Beef stock or chicken broth works
- Tomato paste makes the sauce rich
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
Equipment Needed
1 casserole dish 11×7″ is what we used to make this one. You can find them in an oval or square, typically porcelain. If you only had traditional sizes I would go with a 9×9 square pan and spray the inside so it is an easier cleanup when you’re done, and a pan to brown the meat too.
Variations
As far as meat goes, ground chicken would be low fat too. Adding half spicy ground sausage will add a lot of flavor and some heat. Make Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes with potato masher for the best flavor of all to add on top.
You can omit the cheese all together if you wanted to or use a dairy free cheese alternative that is vegan in nature.
Can you make Shepherds Pie with Sweet Potatoes?
Yes of course. You could make this topped with a sweeter touch. You can make a batch of Mashed Sweet Potatoes first and then set aside while you prep the rest of the dish.
How to make Shepherds pie with ground turkey and frozen vegetables
- OR put the russet potatoes in a pot of boiling water over high heat for about 15 minutes or until they are fork tender.
- or make a quick batch of Pressure Cooker Mashed Potatoes
- Drain, set aside to cool a bit. While the potatoes are cooking, heat the oil for frying and add the onions to the pan. Fry on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring.
- Then add the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.
- Add ground turkey and fry everything together for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until meat is no longer pink.
- Add all-purpose flour and mix, fry for another 2 minutes.
- Add beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. You can also add any other spices to taste.
- Stir and cook everything together for 6-7 minutes until the broth become sthick.
- Then add the frozen vegetables, stir and turn off the heat after 2 minutes. Transfer the filling to a baking dish. My oval baking dish is 11 inches long and 7 inches wide.
- Preheat the oven to 360 F.
- Add drained tender potatoes into a bowl and add whipping cream, salt, butter and parmesan. Make mashed potatoes.
- Top with creamy mashed potatoes on top of the minced meat filling.
- Put the pie in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until browned on top. If you wanted to sprinkle 1/2 cup or so of shredded cheese on top do so for the last 10 minutes to melt and brown.
We do offer an Instant Pot Shepherd’s Pie version of this too but that makes less of a batch and once again won’t get browned on the top. If you do have leftovers allow to cool, cover it with aluminum foil and keep in the fridge to reheat the next day.
How to save leftovers
When done let it cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge. When reheating, within 3 days, put into a microwave safe bowl and heat for 1 minute, then in 30 second increments until warm to your liking.
Yes, we will show you how to do just that right here. It is a lower fat version of this Old Fashioned mashed potato casserole with ground meat. You could use ground chicken or ground turkey to make Shepherd’s pie in the oven like this.
Adding seasonings when cooking ground turkey will add a lot of flavor to your dish. Diced onions and minced garlic makes your ground meat for flavorful as well when sauteeing. Other options on how to make ground turkey taste better are;
1. Ground Cumin adds warmth and earthy flavor.
2. Ground Coriander offers a citrusy, slightly nutty taste.
3. Paprika provides a mild, smoky flavor and a pop of color.
4. Chili Powder adds a kick of spice and depth of flavor.
5. Dried Oregano and Thyme herbs add a pleasant herbal note.
6. Red Pepper Flakes are for those who enjoy some heat.
7. Smoked Paprika imparts a smoky, barbecue-like flavor.
8. Ground Turmeric offers a mild, earthy flavor and vibrant color.
Shepherds Pie with Ground Turkey
Equipment
- 1 casserole dish 11×7" used
- 1 pan
- 1 pressure cooker or pot to boil potatoes
Ingredients
Mashed Potato Topping
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/3 c heavy whipping cream
- 3 tbsp parmesan
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp butter
Ground Turkey Filling
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 lb ground turkey, cooked and drained
- 1 c frozen vegetables
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 c beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 tsp salt and pepper
Instructions
- Put peeled and cubed potatoes in a pot of boiling water for about 15 minutes or until they are fork tender (or make in Instant Pot for 6 minutes with a bit of broth). Drain, set aside to cool a bit. While the potatoes are cooking, heat the oil for frying and add the onions to the pan. Fry on low heat for 5 minutes, stirring. Then add the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.
- Add ground turkey and fry everything together for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until meat is no longer pink. Add all-purpose flour and mix, fry for another 2 minutes. Add beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. You can also add any other spices to taste.
- Stir and cook everything together for 6-7 minutes until the broth becomes thicker. Add the frozen vegetables, stir and turn off the heat after 2 minutes. Transfer the filling to a baking dish. My oval baking dish is 11 inches long and 7 inches wide. Preheat the oven to 360 F.
- Add drained tender potatoes into a bowl and add whipping cream or sour cream, salt, butter and parmesan. Make mashed potatoes. Spread the mashed potatoes on top of the minced meat filling.
- Put the pie in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until browned on top. If you wanted to sprinkle on some shredded cheese on top do so for the last 10 minutes to melt and brown.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
