Ground Turkey Shepherds Pie

The cozy scent of bubbling mashed potatoes, browned ground turkey, and rich veggies wafting through the kitchen is like a warm hug after a long day. My Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie recipe has become my go-to for satisfying weeknight dinners or weekend comforts. What I love most is how this twist on the classic shepherd’s pie keeps the hearty soul food vibe but uses lean ground turkey to keep it a bit lighter without sacrificing any flavor. You get that perfect balance of savory, creamy, and wholesome in every bite. If you’re ready to dive into a crowd-pleaser that’s both nourishing and downright delicious, read on—I’m spilling all my secrets for this easy, full-flavored dish.

Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie: Why It Works & Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 4 cups peeled and chopped russet potatoes
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Choosing ground turkey over beef or lamb lightens the dish but keeps that savory meatiness. I like using russet potatoes because their higher starch content gives you that fluffy, creamy mashed potato topping that forms a nice crust when baked. Olive oil and butter team up for sautéing the veggies and adding richness; butter’s fat carries flavor and smooths out the texture of the mashed potatoes when combined with milk. Tomato paste brings a subtle depth of umami, and the Worcestershire adds a sneakily tangy punch that makes the meat layer more complex. Dried thyme adds an earthy note that’s classic in comforting casseroles like shepherd’s pie. The frozen peas and carrots bring both texture and pops of sweetness that balance the savory meat. Combining all this creates a dish layered with flavor and texture that’s irresistibly hearty yet approachable.

Ground Turkey Shepherds Pie

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Make a comforting Ground Turkey Shepherds Pie thats perfect for family dinners and satisfies hunger with rich hearty flavors

• Author: molly
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Dinner
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 pound lean ground turkey

4 cups peeled and chopped russet potatoes

1 cup chopped yellow onion

1 cup diced carrots

1 cup frozen peas

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup whole milk

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon dried thyme

Salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot enough to crisp the mashed potato topping perfectly.

Place chopped russet potatoes in a pot of salted water. Boil for 15-20 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain well and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and diced carrots, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Add ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour in chicken broth and simmer until slightly thickened, around 5 minutes. Stir in frozen peas and remove from heat.

Combine cooked potatoes with unsalted butter and whole milk. Mash until creamy but still slightly textured. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Spread the turkey mixture evenly in a baking dish. Dollop and smooth the mashed potatoes over the top, covering the filling completely. Optionally, run a fork over the top to create ridges that brown nicely in the oven.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges bubble and the topping develops a golden crust.

Let the pie rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow everything to settle for easier portioning.

Notes

A cozy and lighter twist on the classic shepherd’s pie using lean ground turkey, creamy mashed russet potatoes, and rich veggies. Perfect for comforting weeknight dinners or weekend meals, balanced with savory, creamy, and wholesome flavors.

Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures it’s hot enough to crisp the mashed potato topping just perfectly.
2. Boil the potatoes. Place chopped russet potatoes in a pot of salted water. Boil for 15-20 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain well and set aside.
3. Cook the ground turkey and veggies. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and diced carrots, cooking until softened about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the ground turkey. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour in chicken broth and simmer until slightly thickened, around 5 minutes. Stir in frozen peas and remove from heat.
5. Mash the potatoes. Combine cooked potatoes with butter and milk. Mash until creamy but still slightly textured (I like a few little lumps for character). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Assemble the shepherd’s pie. Spread the turkey mixture evenly in a baking dish. Dollop and smooth the mashed potatoes over the top, making sure to cover the filling completely. You can lightly run a fork over the top to create ridges that brown nicely in the oven.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes. The edges should bubble, and the topping should develop a golden crust.
8. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps everything settle and makes it easier to portion.

Trust me, the aroma during baking alone will make your family drool. The soft, creamy potatoes meeting the savory turkey layer is what comfort food dreams are made of.

Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie: Tips for Success

• Don’t overcook the ground turkey. It can dry out quickly. Stir it frequently and watch for when it just loses its pinkness.
• Keep some potato texture. Over-mashing can create gummy potatoes. Leave a little chunky for better mouthfeel and a more rustic finish.
• Use a proper baking dish. A 9×9-inch or 8×8-inch dish works best to get that perfect ratio of filling to topping.
• Make ahead tip: You can prepare the meat filling and mashed potatoes separately in advance, then assemble and bake when ready to eat.
• Let the pie rest after baking. It’s tempting to dig right in, but resting allows the filling to thicken so it won’t slide everywhere when sliced.

Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie: Storage & Reheating

This dish keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store leftovers in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap. For reheating, I recommend using the oven at 350°F (175°C) covered loosely with foil for about 20 minutes, or until warmed through. This way, the mashed potato topping stays fluffy rather than turning rubbery like microwave reheating can sometimes cause.

If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works fine—cover the dish to trap moisture and reheat in short bursts, stirring gently if you’re reheating just the filling.

Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie: FAQ

Can I use ground chicken instead of ground turkey?

Absolutely! Ground chicken is a fine substitute and will keep the dish light. Just be mindful that ground chicken can be a bit leaner and milder in flavor, so you might want to add a touch more seasoning or broth for extra moisture.

What can I substitute for frozen peas?

You could swap frozen peas for green beans, corn, or even chopped zucchini depending on what you have on hand. Each will bring a slightly different texture and sweetness but keeps the veggie balance nice.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you check that your Worcestershire sauce and chicken broth don’t contain any hidden gluten ingredients.

What’s the best way to get a crispier mashed potato topping?

Try brushing the mashed potatoes with a bit of melted butter before baking. You can also switch your oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes to get a golden crust, but watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!

Is it okay to use instant mashed potatoes?

While fresh mashed potatoes taste better, you can use instant in a pinch. Just prepare according to package instructions and add a bit of butter and milk for creaminess. The texture won’t be quite the same, but it will still be tasty.

Nutritional Information

Here’s an estimate per serving (recipe makes 4 servings):

• Calories: 350 kcal
• Fat: 12g
• Protein: 32g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 450mg

These numbers are rough estimates and can vary depending on exact ingredients or portion sizes. This recipe balances protein, carbs, and fat nicely for a wholesome meal.

Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Every bite of this Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie feels like home—simple, filling, and gently familiar. It’s the sort of dish that sticks with you, not just because it tastes good but because it feels like a little act of care you gave yourself or those around you. If you try it, please let me know how it turns out, and don’t hesitate to share any twists you add. Cooking at home can get messy, chaotic, and joyful all at once—I love that we get to do it together here.