Sweet Potato Cottage Pie

Makes approximately: 6 servings
Total time: 50 minutes

A healthier twist on the classic and comforting cottage pie! This hearty and flavourful recipe is sure to be a family favourite, and leave you wanting seconds. It’s packed with delicious veggies and simple to cook. Using sweet potato in the mash provides a great source of beta carotene, vitamin C, and potassium. This dinner provides easy leftovers for lunch, and is also freezer friendly.

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Mash Topping:

  • 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
  • 2 Tbsp coconut oil (melted)
  • 3 Tbsp preferred dairy free milk
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional for a sweet, richer flavour)

Meat Filling:

  • 450g ground beef
  • ¼ cup fresh chives, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 3 Tbsp coconut aminos
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of ground black pepper

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C (400 degrees F).
  2. Make the sweet potato topping:
    Place the cubed sweet potato in a large pot. Fill with water until the potatoes are covered and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are soft, about 12 minutes. Drain the water and add the coconut oil, milk, salt and pepper, and cinnamon (if using) to the potatoes. Mash until potatoes are smooth and set aside.
  3. Make the meat filling:
    Cook the ground beef in a pan until browned, then transfer the cooked meat onto a separate plate and set aside. Drain any excess liquid from the same pan you cooked the meat in, if needed. Then heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in the same pan and add the chives, garlic, peas and carrots. Continue to sauté the vegetables until softened (about 6-7 minutes). Add the cooked beef, beef broth, coconut aminos, parsley, thyme, ginger, salt and pepper into the pan. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes then set aside.
  4. Assemble:
    Evenly spread the meat filling on the bottom of a 9x9 baking dish or large Dutch oven. Then spoon the sweet potato mash on top of the meat filling. Make sure the mash evenly covers the meat filling, using a spatula or wooden spoon to spread it across.
    Bake:
    Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving with a large side salad.