Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
This easy ground turkey shepherd’s pie is a lighter take on a comfort food classic. With lean turkey, plenty of vegetables, and creamy mashed potatoes on top, it’s a satisfying dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Servings 6
Calories 329kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Medium Onion finely diced
- 2 Large Carrots peeled and diced
- 1 Celery Rib diced
- 2–3 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 pound Ground Turkey use 93/7 or 85/15; avoid turkey breast
- 1 teaspoon Salt we used kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ¼ teaspoon Cumin
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 (8 ounce) can Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Water
- ¾ cup Frozen Peas defrosted and drained (partially cooked per package instructions)
- Chopped Parsley or other fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
- 4 to 4½ cups Prepared Mashed Potatoes Use homemade, leftover, or store-bought mashed potatoes like Simply Potatoes or Bob Evans.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. You’ll also need a casserole dish (at least 1.5 quarts) and a large baking sheet.
Make the Turkey Filling
- Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Raise the heat to medium-high. Add the ground turkey, salt, oregano, cumin, and black pepper. Stir to combine and break up any large pieces. Cook for 7–8 minutes, or until browned and most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Stir in the tomato sauce and water. Lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the peas, stir gently, cover again, and cook for 3–4 more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Assemble and Bake
- Add the ground turkey mixture to a large ovenproof casserole dish.
- Spoon the mashed potatoes evenly over the top, spreading to cover completely.
- Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any bubbling, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley or herbs if desired. Let rest for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use lean ground turkey (93/7 or 85/15) for moisture and flavor. Avoid extra-lean turkey breast—it’s too dry for this recipe.
If your ground turkey comes in tightly packed strands, use a fork to gently break them up before adding to the pan. This helps it brown more evenly.
The colorful vegetables and tomato sauce boost both flavor and visual appeal—perfect for a dish where ground turkey can look pale on its own.
Store-bought mashed potatoes make this dish even easier. Just heat them up before spreading over the filling.
Nutrition
Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 674mg | Potassium: 994mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3758IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2mg