You asked, and we listened… this Vegan Shepherd’s Pie with Lentils has been one of the most-requested recipes from our Workweek Lunch community! And honestly, it deserves all the hype.
It’s hearty, comforting, and perfect for cozy nights or holiday gatherings, but it also works surprisingly well for meal prep. Packed with protein-rich lentils, creamy mashed potatoes, and flavorful veggies, it’s a dish that feels like a hug in a bowl (no meat required).
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What you need to know about this vegan shepherd’s pie:
1. You don’t need to use Yukon gold potatoes! This can easily be made with sweet potatoes or mashed cauliflower and it will still taste so good and be super satisfying. If using sweet potatoes, you can use the same method as the recipe below. If using cauliflower, head over this recipe for a mashed cauliflower method.
2. You can make this omnivore with ground meat! Normally, shepherd’s pie is made with ground lamb or beef. I encourage you to choose whatever type works best for you or mix two together (lamb + beef is a common combination).
3. You can get fancier with the veggies! I used a very basic frozen veggie mix (peas, carrots, corn, chopped green beans) for my version below. I encourage you to add chopped celery or mushrooms to the mix too. Mushrooms would be awesome in this (and it would add even more protein).
4. You can also get fancier with the flavors! Again, this recipe is very basic. So if you want to take it up a notch, here’s what to do:
- Try adding 1-2 teaspoons tomato paste when cooking the lentils
- Try adding 1 teaspoon of Worchester sauce if you have it when cooking the lentils
- Use fresh thyme if you can find it in the store (this recipe calls for ground)
- Add fresh rosemary if you can find it/have it already – add it at the same time as the thyme
Also! Some people like to top their potatoes with some cheese when baking the dish or reheating it… that’s something to try as well!
Related: Weekly Meal Prep: 12 One-Pot Dinners Under 30 Minutes
How to Double or Bulk Up This Recipe
Feeding a crowd or stocking up for the week? This recipe doubles easily, just double all ingredients!
Cooking time for lentils and potatoes will increase slightly, but oven time stays roughly the same. To make it heartier without doubling everything:
- Top with an additional potato or two for extra volume.
- Add more frozen veggies or mushrooms.
- Stir in extra lentils.
Related: Meal Planning For Beginners (Meal Plan Template Inside!)
How to make vegan shepherd’s pie with Beyond Beef:
Want that classic “meaty” texture without actual meat? Replace lentils with Beyond Beef (or a similar plant-based ground). Brown it in the skillet first, then follow the same recipe steps.
You’ll get all the cozy comfort of a traditional shepherd’s pie, just a little extra protein and savory flavor. This recipe looks great!
Storage and Reheating Tips
This recipe keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 5 days, making it perfect for meal prep.
To reheat:
- Use the microwave for quick lunches.
- For best texture, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes.
❄️ Freezer tip: The mashed potato topping doesn’t freeze well, but the lentil filling can be frozen separately for up to 3 months.
Related: No-Cook Meals: Three Vegan Recipes You Can Make Without A Kitchen
FAQs
Yes! Drain and rinse them well, then add directly to the cooked veggie mixture. You’ll save about 15 minutes of cooking time.
The recipe is naturally gluten-free, just check your Worcestershire sauce or use tamari for flavor.
Absolutely! It reheats really well, and each portion stays fresh for up to 5 days in the fridge.
It’s a complete meal on its own, but a side salad or roasted broccoli makes it even better.
Yes. Just assemble the pie, refrigerate overnight, and bake before serving. Easy and stress-free for hosting!
Don’t forget to try out our other delicious comfort food meals!
- Cozy Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
- Stuffed Shells With Spinach (Perfect Holiday Recipe!)
- Vegan Pot Pie Pockets (Perfect for Holiday Parties!)
- Pumpkin Pasta With Ground Turkey, Mushro & Kale
- Individual Chicken Pot Pies
- Our Favorite Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Veggie Meal Prep Ramen With Tofu & Marinated Eggs
Love this cozy vegan recipe?
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One-Hour Vegan Shepherd’s Pie With Lentils
Ingredients
- cooking spray
- 1 pound yukon gold potatoes or sweet potatoes (about 3 medium yukon potatoes, 2 small/medium sweet potatoes)
- 2 TBSP vegan butter I love Earth Balance
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 TBSP olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup lentils green or brown
- 2 1/2 cups broth or water
- 3 tsp ground thyme
- 3 cups mixed frozen veggies (I used a mix of carrots peas, corn, green beans)
- 1 TBSP cornstarch optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 F. Grease a baking dish (I used a 9×9 one) with cooking spray.
- Make the mashed potatoes: Add potatoes to a large pot and fill it with water just enough to cover the potatoes. Bring to a boil and add salt, and let the potatoes cook for 20 minutes, until they slide off a knife easily. (stick a knife in them to try it out when you think they’re done). Drain the pot when they’re soft enough, but leave the potatoes in there on a very low heat to evaporate more water for about 5-10 minutes. Then transfer to a bowl, mash the potatoes with butter and salt using a fork or masher to your desired consistency. (I also removed the skin when mashing – this is up to you) Cover your potatoes loosely and set aside.
- While the potatoes cook: Add oil to a large pan over medium heat. After a minute, add the garlic and onions. Sautee for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until they’re fragrant and slightly darker in color. Add the lentils, broth, thyme, salt and pepper. Stir and bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and cook uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Add and stir in the frozen mixed veggies after the lentils have cooked for 20 minutes. Taste and adjust spices as it all cooks!
- When it’s done cooking, the mixture should be thick with only a little bit of liquid still in the pan. If there’s too much, remove the pan from the heat and add the cornstarch. Whisk well until it’s at your desired consistency. Pour the lentil veggie mixture in the greased baking dish and use a spoon or spatula to flatten the mixture out a bit.
- Carefully add the mashed potatoes on top. I used a regular spoon and added the potatoes by the spoonful because they’re not easy to spread if you pour it on all at once! Once you have a layer of potatoes on top of the lentil mixture, you can use a spoon or fork to spread it more evenly.
- Place in the oven and cook for 15 minutes. Add a baking sheet under the dish just in case to catch any overflow. When it’s done cooking, let it sit for 10-20 mins before slicing it!
Marlin says
The time estimates are typically under what it really takes (seems like recipe posters always want to do this) but the recipe is very good. Also baked a little longer than recipe.
Add some vegan cheese between layers, yum!