Cozy and delicious Healthy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Recipe made with lean ground turkey, colorful vegetables, rich homemade gravy and topped with lighter mashed potatoes. A healthier twist on a classic comfort food dish the whole family will love!
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When I say I grew up eating traditional shepherd’s pie, I quite literally mean my mom made it for us every week. I think she loved how it covered all the food groups in one simple casserole dish for dinner! This Healthy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie recipe is the ultimate cozy comfort food made with lean ground turkey, tender vegetables and a rich, savory gravy, all topped with creamy mashed potatoes and cauliflower. It’s a lighter twist on classic shepherd’s pie that’s high in protein, packed with veggies and perfect for an easy family dinner.
I grew up eating shepherd’s pie because my mom made it for us all the time, so this recipe is pure comfort food for me! I love that everything comes together in one casserole dish, and using ground turkey along with my lighter mashed potato topping makes this version one I feel good about serving my family.
Why You’ll Love This
- High protein – we are using ground turkey in this instead of ground lamb or ground beef which reduces the saturated fat, but packs in 22 grams of protein per serving.
- Extra veggies – not only are we throwing in extra veggies into the filling for a boost of fiber, vitamins and essential nutrients, but we are adding a whole head of cauliflower into the mashed topping!
- Lighter mash – you are going to love my healthy mashed potato recipe where we are cutting the potatoes in half and adding in a whole head of cauliflower for a creamy yet lower-carb topping. You could also used mashed cauliflower.
- Easy to customize – this turkey shepherd’s pie is easy to customize with different vegetables, seasonings and lean proteins based on what you have on hand.
- Great for a crowd – this easy recipe makes a ton so not only is it a great option to feed a crowd, but we love this comforting casserole for meal prep!
What’s the Difference Between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie?
Traditional shepherd’s pie is made with ground lamb, while cottage pie is traditionally made with ground beef. Since this recipe uses ground turkey, it’s technically neither in the traditional sense, but “turkey shepherd’s pie” has become a popular name for this lighter variation. You still get all the classic elements—a savory meat and vegetable filling, rich gravy and a creamy mashed potato topping—just with lean ground turkey in place of lamb or beef.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- ground turkey – I like to use 93% lean ground turkey for the best balance of flavor and moisture. You can use leaner turkey, but the filling may be slightly drier. Ground chicken or lean ground beef can also be substituted.
- vegetables – we are using chopped onions, celery and carrots along with frozen corn and frozen peas. I also used a whole head of cauliflower in the mashed potatoes.
- olive oil – I like to use a good olive oil to sauté the veggies. Doesn’t have to be expensive, just make sure it’s cold-pressed and organic for the most flavor.
- mashed potatoes – I always use this recipe which uses a mixture of yukon gold potatoes (or russet potatoes) and cauliflower. Feel free to use whatever mashed potato recipe you like best. You could also mix in a little cheddar cheese into the mash for more flavor.
- flour – you just need 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken the mixture. I used gluten-free flour so this would be a gluten-free shepherd’s pie, but you could use all-purpose flour or other flour you prefer.
- chicken broth – you’ll need 1 cup of chicken broth, but you could also use beef broth, vegetable broth or any stocks in your pantry.
- tomato paste – you’ll need a tbsp tomato paste which adds rich tomato flavor along with thickening the gravy mixture up a bit. You could also use tomato sauce.
- worcestershire sauce – boost of flavor!
- garlic – I recommend using fresh chopped garlic cloves or minced garlic from the jar, but garlic powder will work in a pinch.
- fresh herbs – a combination of fresh thyme leaves and fresh rosemary.
- salt and black pepper – needed to season the shepherd’s pie and add flavor.
How to Make Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
- Cook potatoes and cauliflower. Place the potatoes only (hold off on the cauliflower for now) in a large pot of salted water on the stove top. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and let the potatoes simmer for about 15 minutes. Add in the fresh cauliflower florets and continue to simmer for an additional 8-9 minutes. The cauliflower and potatoes should be soft and fork tender.
- Make mashed potatoes. Drain the potatoes and cauliflower then add them back into the pot they were cooked in or a large bowl. Add the milk, Greek yogurt, chicken broth, butter, garlic powder, kosher salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes using a potato masher or blend everything using an electric mixer until you get a nice creamy texture.
- Brown the meat. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and brown the ground turkey, breaking it up as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked turkey to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables. Drizzle another tablespoon of olive oil in the hot skillet and add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until veggies are tender.
- Make the meat filling. Add the ground meat back into the pan along with some salt and pepper. Sprinkle the meat mixture with flour and toss to coat, continuing cooking 1 more minute. Add the tomato paste, chicken broth, worcestershire sauce, and chopped herbs. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for about 10-12 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Assemble casserole. Mix in the frozen corn and green peas with the turkey mixture and spread evenly into a casserole dish. Carefully spoon the mashed potatoes over the turkey mixture. Smooth into an even layer using a spatula or back of a wooden spoon.
- Bake and serve. Bake shepherds pie in the oven at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly. Garnish with fresh thyme or fresh parsley on top of the mashed potatoes before serving.
Tips for the Best Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
- Use 93% lean turkey – Extra-lean turkey can make the filling dry.
- Let the gravy thicken – You don’t want a watery filling underneath the potatoes.
- Don’t overmix the potatoes – Overworking them can make the topping gummy.
- Spread the potatoes all the way to the edges – This helps seal the filling underneath and creates a beautiful casserole.
- Let it rest before serving – Give the shepherd’s pie about 5–10 minutes after baking so the filling can set slightly before scooping.
Variations
- More veggies – you could also add in some shredded or chopped zucchini, fresh mushrooms, green beans, sweet potatoes, or other vegetables.
- Extra protein – this recipe uses lean ground turkey, but feel free to stir in a handful of cooked quinoa or chickpeas for a boost of protein.
- Dairy-free option – to make this dish dairy-free, simply swap out the milk in the mashed potatoes with almond milk or coconut milk. You could also swap out the Greek yogurt (or sour cream) for a dairy-free alternative.
- Vegan option – swap the ground turkey for lentils or a plant-based meat alternative for a vegan or vegetarian shepherd’s pie. You can also swap the milk for coconut milk or almond milk in the mash.
- Low carb option – I made this using my healthy mashed potato recipe, but feel free to top with my easy cauliflower mash for a lower carb option.
- Sweet potatoes – another way to boost nutrition in this recipe is to use mashed sweet potatoes rather than traditional potatoes for a delicious sweet potato shepherd’s pie.
- Spice it up – add in a pinch of smoked paprika, chili flakes, hot sauce or sriracha for a warming kick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Ground turkey works really well in shepherd’s pie and is a leaner alternative to the traditional lamb or beef. I recommend using 93% lean ground turkey for the best flavor and texture, as extra-lean turkey can be a little dry. The savory gravy and vegetables keep the filling hearty, flavorful and comforting.
Classic shepherd’s pie typically includes vegetables like carrots, peas and onions. This turkey shepherd’s pie includes carrots, peas, onions, celery and corn for flavor and texture. Feel free to use what you have on hand or swap in other vegetables like green beans, mushrooms or frozen mixed vegetables.
Yes! This is a great recipe to prep ahead. Assemble the shepherd’s pie as directed, cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking. When you’re ready to serve, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time since the casserole will be cold.
Absolutely. You can freeze the shepherd’s pie before or after baking. Once completely cooled, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil or transfer individual portions to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
For a lighter topping, you can use mashed cauliflower or a combination of mashed potatoes and cauliflower, like I use in this recipe. Mashed sweet potatoes are another delicious option and add a slightly sweet flavor that pairs really well with the savory ground turkey filling.
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Prepping and Storage
To Make Ahead – To make this easy shepherd’s pie ahead of time, assemble the casserole and cover the baking dish with foil. Refrigerate up to 2 days in advance, and then bake it in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for about 30 minutes or until heated through.
To Store – Leftovers will last in a sealed, airtight container for up to 3 days stored in the refrigerator. Warm up in the microwave to reheat.
To Freeze – Shepherd’s pie freezes really well too! Assemble the casserole and cover with aluminum foil. You can store this in the freezer for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw out overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
More Casserole Recipes
- Healthy Baked Ziti
- Easy Beef Stroganoff
- Cheesy Keto Meatball Casserole
- Caprese Chicken and Quinoa Casserole
- Lemon Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
- Spaghetti Squash Pizza Casserole
If you love cooking with ground turkey, try my Healthy Turkey Chili or Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps next for two more easy, protein-packed dinners!
Hope you all enjoy this Healthy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Recipe! If you love this recipe as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and tag me on Instagram! Please follow for more healthy comfort food recipes!
Healthy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients
For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 1 1/2 lbs yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
- 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup lower sodium chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Meat Filling:
- 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced small
- 2 ribs celery, diced small
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp flour, I used GF flour
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
To make the mashed potatoes:
- Place the potatoes only (hold off on the cauliflower for now) to a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and let the potatoes simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Add in the cauliflower florets and continue to simmer for an additional 8-9 minutes, until cauliflower and potatoes are soft and fork tender.
- Drain the potatoes and cauliflower then add them back into the pot they were cooked in. Add the milk, Greek yogurt, chicken broth, butter, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Mash the potatoes using a potato masher or blend everything using an electric mixer until you get a nice creamy texture.
To make the meat filling:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and brown the ground turkey, breaking it up as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked turkey to a plate and set aside.
- Drizzle another tablespoon of olive oil in the hot skillet and add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until veggies are tender, then add the meat back into the pan along with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle the meat mixture with flour and toss to coat, continuing cooking 1 more minute. Add the tomato paste, chicken broth, worcestershire sauce, and chopped herbs. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for about 10-12 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Mix in the frozen veggies with the turkey mixture and spread evenly into a casserole dish. Carefully spoon the mashed potatoes over the turkey mixture and smooth into an even layer using a spatula or back of the spoon.
- Bake shepherd’s pie in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly. Garnish with fresh thyme or fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Easy to
My husband said that this is his favorite way to eat ground turkey! I have made a ground beef version of shepherd’s pie that is not very healthy, and have been looking for an alternative. This was delicious! I particularly liked the cauliflower added to the mash!
Sorry, should say tsp.
This recipe is fire! I used a heaping tsbp of dried thyme and rosemary and it turned out great.