Shepherd’s Pie with Sweet Potato Mash

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

A comforting baked shepherd’s pie featuring savory ground beef and vegetables topped with a smooth, naturally sweet mashed sweet potato crust. This British-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, layers ground beef, olive oil, yellow onion into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 2 medium, diced carrot
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 large (about 1.5 lbs), peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 2 large peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain thoroughly.
2. Step 2: While potatoes cook, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 2 diced carrots, sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 7-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 cup frozen peas, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 8 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Mash the cooked sweet potatoes with 3 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup milk, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder until smooth and creamy.
6. Step 6: Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly in a 9x9 inch baking dish. Dollop and spread the sweet potato mash over the top, smoothing with a spatula.
7. Step 7: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until the edges bubble and the topping begins to brown. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.