Turkey Shepherd's Pie Recipe (2024)

Published: Jan 12, 2018 · Modified: Mar 24, 2020 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This classic, comforting turkey shepherd’s pie recipe will leave everyone, big and small, wanting more. A ground meat, veggie-packed layer is covered by creamy, dreamy mashed potatoes and topped with melty cheese for good measure! This is a great weeknight dinner and also perfect party fare!

Why This Recipe Works

I bring you another favorite comfort food this morning, a turkey shepherd pie you’ll love. I’ve been looking back over the past year to see what you guys have loved and haven’t loved and guess what. COMFORT FOOD is at the top of the love list.

This is why we’re friends because comfort food happens to be a main squeeze. Chili and Meatloaf and Chicken Pot Pie and Goulash are clearly not enough. Your love for comfort food makes me giddy, so I shall deliver more, my friends.

Let’s talk shepherds pie for a minute. I did not grow up eating it and have not made it myself until recently, but have always swooned from afar. I see photos of it all over Pinterest and constantly wish it were piled high on a plate sitting in front of me.

We’re talking meat and veggies and dreamy mashed potatoes and cheese, people. This is like “comfort food” defined.

How To Make Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Step 1

Fill a large pot half full of water. Add the potato chunks and bring to a boil. Boil over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until potatoes are soft. Strain the potatoes and add them to a large mixing bowl.

Add the butter, milk, garlic powder, 1/2 cup cheese, salt and pepper. Using a stand or hand-held mixer (or a potato masher), mix until creamy and set aside.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (or use a Dutch oven). Add the onion, carrots, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. Cook until tender, approximately 10 minutes.

Push the veggies to the sides of the pan and add the ground meat to the center, cooking and stirring until no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3

Thoroughly whisk in the flour and add chicken broth (or stock) and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the frozen peas and corn and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 4

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and coat a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour the meat mixture in an even layer into the prepared baking dish. Spread the creamy mashed potatoes over the top in an even layer.

Top with the 1 cup of cheese and 1 tablespoon of parsley. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes

Use ground beef (versus ground turkey) for a tastier dish. There are times when leaning toward the healthier side is more important and there are times when leaning toward tasty is more important.
Add sour cream or cream cheese to the potatoes to make them even creamier.
If you’re in a pinch for time, you can cheat on the potatoes (use instant or frozen) but I highly recommend taking the time to make mashed potatoes from scratch if there’s time for it. Make them in your Instant Pot in just 15 minutes!
Don’t limit the kinds of veggies in the recipe. Other veggies to consider adding are carrots and green beans.
Ground lamb would be a delicious replacement for another variety of meat!
Add 1/2 teaspoon each of rosemary and thyme to the veggie mixture for an added punch of delicious flavor!
Use leftover turkey in salads or tacos!
Store leftover mashed potatoes in the fridge and reheat and serve as a side dish for another meal.
Swap out the regular potatoes for mashed sweet potatoes.

What To Serve With Shepherd’s Pie

Once it’s ready to dig into, what pairs well with this comforting dinner? Read on for 17 delicious ideas about what to serve with shepherd’s pie!

How To Make This Dish Ahead of Time

Option 1: Prepare the recipe in its entirety (baking included) and let cool. Cover and freeze. After freezing, let thaw completely and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Option 2: Prepare the recipe up until the point when it needs to be baked. Cover and freeze. After freezing, let thaw completely and bake at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes.

How To Freeze A Casserole

If you want to freeze a casserole for later use, you have a couple options:

Freeze unbaked – Assemble the layers as directed in an aluminum baking pan and wrap tightly in foil. Place into resealable freezer bags and freeze for 3-4 months. When you are ready to enjoy the casserole, let it thaw completely (preferably in the fridge overnight) and bake as directed on the recipe.
Freeze baked – Assemble the layers and bake as directed in an aluminum baking pan. Let the casserole cool completely and wrap tightly in foil. Place into resealable freezer bags and freeze for 3-4 months. When you are ready to enjoy the casserole, let it thaw completely (preferably in the fridge overnight).

FAQ About Shepherd’s Pie

What is the difference between shepherd’s pie and cottage pie?

The term “cottage pie” predates “shepherd’s pie” by a century, but the terms were used interchangeably for quite some time. Technically, the type of meat that is used in the dish is the main difference between the two. Shepherd’s pie typically involves lamb and cottage pie uses beef.

Can I freeze shepherd’s pie?

Once a pan of shepherd’s pie has been assembled, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months.

Is shepherd’s pie healthy?

The vegetables and meat inside shepherd’s pie offer protein and other vitamins and nutrients, but the dish as a whole contains a good amount of calories.

How to reheat shepherd’s pie?

Reheat shepherd’s pie in a 250-degree F oven uncovered for 15 minutes or until heated through. Or you can heat individual servings in the microwave in 1-minute bursts until heated through.

Comforting Dinner Recipes

Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole – this dinner boasts flavor and creaminess over a bed of steaming egg noodles. This casserole is just like your mom’s recipe but so much more! This is a perfect hearty weeknight meal to put on the table.
Instant Pot White Turkey Chili – Packed with turkey meat, white beans and veggies, this comfort food is super flavorful and delicious.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole – This is a delicious combination of the tastiest flavors you will ever eat in a single bite. Bacon, chicken, creamy alfredo sauce and pasta all make dinner a hit in less than 30 minutes!
Best Baked Ziti – Packed with flavorful meat sauce and layers of cheesy goodness, you will enjoy each flavorful bite. This delicious dinner feeds a lot of people and is super filling and hearty. It is a great meal to freeze and bake at a later time, too!
Best Instant Pot Chili – This recipe is the absolute perfect comfort food, packed with flavor, texture, color and a tiny bit of spice. Perfect dinner or party food!
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken – You need to try this mixture on a bun because it’s an addicting and delicious lunch or dinner option that everyone will enjoy. Great weeknight meal AND the perfect party food!
One-Pan Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole – Dinner has never been easier! NO PREP is required for this quick and delicious Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole. Simplify those busy weeknights by adding this hearty meal to the dinner rotation!
Easy Classic Chicken Alfredo – Easy, creamy Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo is the perfect dinner recipe for busy nights. Done in 30 minutes and made in a single pan, everyone at the table will love this comforting dish!

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