Easy Lentil Shepherd's Pie (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

This insanely Easy Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie is made in less than 30 minutes! This hearty meatless recipe is just 10 main ingredients, gluten-free, allergy-free, featuring protein-packed lentils, veggies, and simple dairy-free mashed potatoes! Healthy and budget-friendly comfort food the whole family will love and devour!

If you are looking for the EASIEST, the SIMPLIEST, and the QUICKEST vegan shepherd's pie recipe out there, this is it! This recipe features all the hacks and shortcuts you need to make a delicious lentil shepherd's pie with budget-friendly, pantry staples, that truly make this meal live up to the traditional ethos of a cheap and easy casserole! Plus, you can make it all in one pan or divide it out into individual ramekins for easy, breezy serving!

Reasons to Love this Easy Vegan Shepherd's Pie

• Gluten-Free
• Vegan & Vegetarian
• Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Corn-Free, Coconut-Free)
• Grain-Free
• Sugar-Free & Oil-Free
• Packed with 100% Plant-Based Protein (No mock meats!)
• Healthy Comfort Food
• Quick, Easy, Freezer-Friendly, and Budget-Friendly
• Super Kid-Friendly

Ingredients for Lentil Shepherd's Pie

• Lentils: Tender and protein-packed lentils are the perfect hearty meatless substitute to the traditional beef or lamb you'd find in a traditional shepherds or cottage pie! To make it super easy for you, this recipe uses two cans of pre-cooked lentils! No need to dirty an extra pot on the stove or waste time. However, if you do prefer to take the long route, you can cook 1.5 cups of dried lentils and use them in this recipe.
• Mixed Veggies: Whatever you have on hand is perfect! They can be frozen or canned. I used canned mixed veggies, carrots, peas, and corn. Along with the mixed veggies, you'll need some chopped onion for flavor!
• Sauce + Seasonings: To bring this casserole together and add flavor to the lentils and veggies, a great sauce is key! All you need is plain canned tomato sauce, some tomato paste for that deep concentrated flavor, a splash of coconut aminos (aka: soy-free soy sauce and in place of classic Worcestershire sauce), and any seasonings you'd like. I used black pepper, dried thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder!
• Mashed Potatoes: To top this savory pie off, you need the mashed potatoes! You can use leftover mashed potatoes you've already cooked, boil and mash some peeled and cubed potatoes in a pot on the stove (about 15 to 20 minutes. I recommend you use russet or red potatoes), or take a super shortcut and use frozen or steamable potatoes! Pop them in the microwave, then mash them with some vegan butter and a splash of dairy-free milk. Want to lighten it up? You can use mashed cauliflower or you can even use mashed sweet potato if you want to add some natural sweetness!

How to Make it in 30 Minutes or Less

This recipe is SO easy and so quick! Just follow these simple steps for a perfect budget and time-budget-friendly casserole!

1. Saute the onion in a large skillet on the stove, then add the canned or frozen mixed vegetables.
2. Add in your cooked lentils and give everything a stir together until the excess liquids are cooked off.
3. Then add in our sauce and seasonings, adjust to taste!
4. While all that is cooking on the stove you can prepare the potatoes and have them ready to top!

You have two options for baking this easy shepherd's pie

• Right in the skillet or casserole dish: If you want to make one large shepherd's pie, you can simply keep the lentils and veggies in the skillet you used to warm them and top with the mashed potatoes. If you're not using a large cast iron skillet and need to transfer your filling to a casserole dish, you can do that as well.
• In individual ramekins: If you want a super-easy way to serve individual portions of this casserole, you can use 8 oz ramekins! Portion out the filling between about 6 ramekins and top with the potatoes before baking.

The last thing you need to do is give the pie a quick bake in the oven at 425°F for just 10 minutes!

Additional Tips & Tricks

• Why is my filling so liquidly? Don't worry! The filling will thicken up on the stove and again in the oven. If you are using frozen veggies, make sure to cook off as much liquid as possible before adding the lentils. If you are using canned veggies (and lentils) make sure you drain and rice them before adding them to the skillet.
• How do you store leftover shepherd's pie? You can store the lentil shepherd's pie in the fridge for 5-6 days. If you made it in ramekins, seal the tops with foil. If you made it in a cast iron or casserole dish, you can place foil over the top of remove, and store it in an airtight container.
• How do you reheat leftovers? You can heat up your leftovers right in the microwave (super easy with the ramekins!) or if you want to warm a whole casserole and archive a nice crisp potato topping again, you can heat it in the oven at 350ºF for about 5-10 minutes!
• How do you freeze it? You can freeze unbaked vegan shepherd's pie fully assembled in your chosen baking vessel. Tightly wrap it in freezer wrap or foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake it directly from frozen at 425°F for about 25 minutes or defrosted overnight in the fridge for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through. You can freeze an already baked casserole the same way.
• What should you serve it with? Some hearty roasted veggies like broccoli, green beans, or cauliflower would be great;  a simple side salad or a warm piece of soda bread!

More Irish Recipes to Try:

• Traditional Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread
• Traditional Irish Colcannon
• Rustic Mung Bean Shepherd's Pie
• Irish Potato Candy

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Shepherd's pie may be an essential for St. Patrick's Day, but it's also such a great and easy casserole to make for a comforting weeknight dinner your family will love! Give it a try and let us know what you think!

So tell me:

+ What's the easiest casserole recipe you like to make? You can't go wrong with this Lemon Chickpea & Rice Casserole or this Italian Chickpea Casserole!

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