Shepherds Pie With Turkey

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This Shepherd's Pie Recipe with Turkey is made by cooking ground turkey with mixed vegetables, marinara sauce, and spices, topped with mashed potatoes, then baked until golden brown. It's an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love.

A serving of turkey shepherd's pie on a plate with the casserole dish in the background.

Why You Will Love This Shepherd's Pie with Turkey Recipe

Quick and Easy: This Shepherd's Pie Casserole with Turkey comes together in just under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Versatile: You can easily customize this recipe by swapping out the vegetables in the filling mixture or using different types of meat, such as ground lamb, beef, or chicken.
Family-Friendly: With its hearty and comforting flavors, this casserole is sure to be a hit with the entire family, including picky eaters. Plus, it's a great way to sneak in some extra veggies!
Budget-Friendly: Ground turkey is an affordable and lean protein option, making this recipe both budget-friendly and healthier compared to classic shepherd’s pie recipes made with beef.
Great for Leftovers: This casserole dish tastes even better the next day, making it a fantastic option for meal prep or enjoying as leftovers for lunch or dinner throughout the week.

If love this casserole recipe you've got to try this tuna noodle casserole or corned beef hash casserole next! Or to kick it up a notch, try our Bacon Cheeseburger Pie recipe.

Ingredients

Here's a look at the simple ingredients you need to make shepherd's pie with ground turkey. Everything is easy to find in most grocery stores.

Instant Mashed Potato Flakes: Instant mashed potatoes provide a fast and convenient topping for the casserole. They cook up really easily and create a fluffy, creamy layer that complements the savory filling. You can substitute the instant potato topping with homemade mashed potatoes.
Ground Turkey: Lean ground turkey meat serves as a healthier alternative to beef in this version of shepherd's pie. It's flavorful, cooks quickly, and pairs well with the other ingredients. You can substitute it with your favorite type of ground meat like ground chicken, pork, or beef.
Frozen Mixed Vegetables: A blend of frozen carrots, corn, green beans, and peas adds color, flavor, and nutrients to the casserole. Using frozen vegetables cuts down on prep time and ensures that the vegetables are readily available year-round. Feel free to use fresh vegetables and be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed.
Marinara Sauce: Adds richness and a hint of sweetness to the sauce, tying the flavors of the dish together. You can use tomato paste, tomato sauce, or crushed tomatoes instead.
Turkey Gravy: Adds richness and depth of flavor, provides moisture, and helps bind the ingredients together, creating a cohesive texture. Homemade turkey gravy can be used instead.
Chicken Broth: Enhances the savory flavor of this dish. You can substitute it with beef broth or vegetable broth.
Onion Powder and Garlic Powder: Adds aromatic flavor to the filling and sauce. You can use finely minced yellow, white, or red onion instead of onion powder and minced garlic instead of garlic powder.
Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce lends a savory and slightly tangy flavor to the filling, enhancing its richness. You can substitute it with soy sauce or tamari but use them sparingly though.

See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact quantities of each ingredient.

Variations

Add Bacon. Enhance the flavor and texture of this casserole by adding cooked bacon or diced ham to the turkey mixture.
Love Fresh Herbs. Stir in a handful of frozen or fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary, for a fragrant boost.
Spicy: Add a bit of chili pepper flakes, jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the mixture for a bit of heat.
Sweet Potatoes. They make a tasty alternative for the mashed potato topping, offering a slightly sweeter flavor profile.

How to Make Shepherd's Pie with Turkey

Here's a look at the simple method for making this easy weeknight casserole.

Step 1: Mix Up the Mashed Potatoes. Prepare the mashed potatoes according to the instructions on the box and then set them aside.

Cooking the ground turkey meat in a skillet with seasoning added on top.

Step 2: Cook the Meat. Cook the lean ground turkey in a skillet until it's no longer pink. Breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or meat masher as it cooks. Season the browning meat with salt, black pepper, onion powder and garlic powder.

Step 3: Adding the Veggies. Add the frozen mixed vegetables to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until the veggies are heated through.

Tomato sauce and broth are added to the skillet with the meat and veggies.

Step 4: Adding the Liquid. Pour the marinara sauce, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and turkey gravy over the meat mixture. Stir the ingredients well to combine.

Step 5: Simmer. Let the meat and vegetables simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

Meat and vegetable mixture transferred to a square glass baking dish.

Step 6: In the Pan. Transfer the turkey and vegetable mixture to a lightly greased 8x8-inch baking dish and spread it out in an even layer.

Mashed potatoes added to the top of the meat mixture.

Step 7: Add the Potatoes. Spoon the prepared mashed potatoes over the top and spread them evenly with a wet rubber spatula to cover the entire surface.

A turkey shepherd pie in a baking dish after it's cooked.

Step 8: Bake. Cook in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the mashed potatoes start to turn golden brown. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

If you love easy recipes like this one you've got to try this Easy Hobo Casserole next.

Turkey shepherd pie in a square glass baking dish on the table with browned edges and a bit of parsley sprinkled on top.

Storage

Refrigeration: Allow the casserole to cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
Freezing: To freeze the casserole, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or transfer it to an airtight container. Freeze it for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: To reheat individual servings, microwave them on high for 2-3 minutes or until they are heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat the entire casserole in the oven by covering it with foil and placing it in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, or until it is warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is a one-pot meal but you can add on another vegetable, salad, or bread to make a cozy meal everyone will love.

Serve it with an easy veggie side dish such as Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts, Easy Sweet Green Beans, Delicious Glazed Carrots, or Easy Broiled Asparagus.
Make it with a refreshing simple salad like Mixed Greens Salad with Fruit and Nuts.

Shepherd's pie with turkey in a baking dish with a serving removed and a spoon nestled on top.

Recipe Tips

Season Generously: Don't be shy with the salt and pepper. Season each component of the dish— the turkey mixture, and creamy mashed potatoes to ensure a well-balanced flavor throughout your ground turkey shepherd's pie.
Customize the Vegetables: Feel free to change up the vegetable mixture according to your preference. You can use any combination of frozen or fresh vegetables, such as broccoli, or a diced green bell pepper.
Prevent Soggy Potatoes: To prevent the mashed potatoes from becoming soggy, make sure the turkey and vegetable filling is fully cooled before spreading the mashed potatoes over the top. This will help maintain the layers' integrity during baking.
Let Rest Before Serving: Allow the turkey shepherd's pie to rest for a few minutes after baking to set and cool slightly. This will make it easier to slice and serve without the layers collapsing.
Garnish Before Serving: Sprinkle freshly chopped herbs, such as parsley or chives, over the casserole just before serving to add a pop of color and freshness to it.

Recipe FAQs

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake. Just be sure to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the casserole has been chilled.

Can I make a Shepherd's Pie with leftover turkey?

Absolutely! Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a delicious Shepherd's Pie for a comforting meal.

What's the difference between Shepherd's Pie and Cottage Pie?

Shepherd's Pie uses lamb, which used to be associated with shepherds, while Cottage Pie uses beef, and is likely named after English rural cottages where it was commonly prepared. Both feature a meat and vegetable filling topped with mashed potatoes.

A serving of turkey shepherd pie on a plate with fork on the edge of the plate.

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