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    Home » Dinner » Meat and Poultry » Shepherd’s Pie Casserole

    Shepherd’s Pie Casserole

    Last updated on May 4, 2021. Originally posted on October 16, 2017 By Elaine 58 Comments

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    This shepherd’s pie casserole recipe is a nice variation of the classic dish with yams and kale topping a delicious flavor combination of grass-fed beef, spices, onions and corn. It makes for a tasty and comforting meal.

    Different view of the the meat pie casserole plated with some asparagus and the baking dish in the background

    I had shepherd’s pie casserole years ago and I didn’t like it. I think it was because it felt like a big plate of mush.

    I love the ingredients of what goes in a pie but I guess I didn’t like it mixed together.

    Over the years, I would listen to my sister tell me many times that she had baked her family a shepherd’s pie and that it was delicious. At that point, I’d figuratively turn my nose up in the air and pooh – pooh the news in my head.

    Years later, we go to my sister-in-law’s for an overnight visit. She pays to have a fully cooked gourmet meal sent to her house every week. That week we visit, it is shepherd’s pie casserole. She offers to share it with us for dinner.

    At this point, I think, “Oh, joy!”

    I am a good guest though so I dutifully take a bite.

    WHAT?

    Surprisingly, I am loving it. Between bites, I am also asking questions about it.

    Questions like:

    • What do you think she used in the gravy?  (SIL doesn’t know)
    • What kind of cheese is this?  (Cheddar)
    • Did she cook the kale first? (Shoulder shrugs)

    Hence, I decide I am going to wing it. How hard can it be? Besides, I’m rather clever so I’m sure I could figure it out.

    And I do!

    So, I cheer with my metaphorical pom-poms and short skirt and the rest is history.

    And speaking of, here are a few of the other casseroles I’ve blogged about that are beloved by my family:

    • Bacon cheese
    • Baked Ziti
    • Mushroom rice

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you click the link and buy something. You can read my disclosure here.

    Helpful tips

    • I wanted to keep the yams as ‘whole’ as I could, so I chose not to peel them or mash them, but if you prefer mashed yams on top, then go for it.
    • Bake the yams before you start the meal. I bake mine in my toaster oven.
    • You can use fresh corn if you prefer. I use frozen. That way I can eat this year round.
    • You can substitute the kale with spinach if you prefer.

    How to make a shepherd’s pie casserole

    Pre-step

    Bake two yams for 45 minutes or until soft.

    Also get a baking dish and a deep sauté pan.

    Step one

    Gather the ingredients – grass-fed beef, an onion, beef broth and two freshly baked yams. (A)

    Step two

    Chop the onion in medium sized pieces.

    Step three

    Heat the deep pan on medium and once that heats up, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes.

    Step four

    Add the beef, salt, cumin, oregano and garlic paste and continue to sauté for 5 minutes. (B)

    You want the beef on the rare side.

    Onion, beef, yams and broth on the left and on the right, sautéed onion and beef in a pan

    Step five

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Step six

    Cut the freshly cooked yams in slices and get the corn out of the freezer. (C)

    Start layering

    Step seven

    Add broth to the meat mixture and bring to a simmer. Add corn and simmer for 2 minutes.

    Step eight

    Pour meat mixture into the baking dish. And take out the kale. (D)

    Sliced yam and corn on the left and on the right, the meat mixture in the baking dish with kale in the background

    Step nine

    Take a few handfuls of kale and place them on top of the meat mixture. (E)

    Step ten

    Layer the yams on the kale and shred some cheddar cheese on top. (F)

    On the left, kale layered in the baking dish and on the right, yam and cheese in the baking dish

    Step eleven

    Bake for 25 minutes.

    shepherds pie fresh out of the oven with a salad in the backgound

    And the next time my sister Robyn tells me that shepherd’s pie casserole is delicious, I will nod my head, knowingly.

    A blue shallow bowl with the yam and shepherds pie on it with asparagus and a salad and baking dish in the background

    I hope you enjoyed this Shepherd’s Pie Casserole recipe!  Christopher and I certainly enjoy this meal.

    And as always, may all your dishes be delish!

    If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below.  I love hearing from you!  You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST  to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

    Close up of a blue bowl with the shepherds pie and asparagus in it - square

    Shepherds Pie Casserole

    A healthy take on shepherd’s pie!  So tasty with yams instead of potatoes!
    5 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Irish
    Keyword: shepherd’s pie casserole
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 8 slices
    Calories: 347kcal
    Author: Elaine Benoit

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 onion chopped
    • 1 pound ground beef grass-fed
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 2 teaspoons oregano
    • 2 teaspoons garlic paste or 2 garlic cloves crushed
    • 1 cup beef broth
    • 1 cup corn fresh or frozen
    • 1 cup kale a few handfuls
    • 2 baked yams cut into thin slices, lengthwise
    • ¼ cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded

    Instructions

    Make it!

    • Preheat oven to 375 F
    • Heat up your sauté pan on medium heat and once that heats up, add oil
    • Add onions and sauté for 5 minutes
    • Add beef, salt, cumin, oregano and garlic paste and sauté for 5 more minutes
    • Add broth and let it come to a simmer, add corn and cook for 2 minutes
    • Pour meat mixture in baking dish
    • Spread kale over meat mixture
    • Place yam slices over kale covering it completely and sprinkle cheddar over the yams.
    • Bake for 25 minutes
    • Let rest for 5 minutes before cutting into the shepherd’s pie
    • Plate with a veggie
    • Eat
    • Sigh
    • Enjoy

    Equipment

    sauté pan
    baking dish
    See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!

    Notes

    The yams take 45 minutes to bake.  I won’t add the time.  You can slice into the yam with a sharp knife at least 6 times and cover with foil.  Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.  You can bake the yams a few hours before you make the shepherd’s pie.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 3inch square | Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 331mg | Potassium: 1145mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1075IU | Vitamin C: 30.4mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 2.3mg
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    506 shares

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Deanna

      October 16, 2017 at 1:18 pm

      Mmmm This looks yummY!!!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 16, 2017 at 3:18 pm

        Thank you Deanna!

        Reply
    2. Matt @ Plating Pixels

      October 16, 2017 at 1:44 pm

      Love comforting recipes like this. Totally need to try it with yams instead of potatoes.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 16, 2017 at 3:19 pm

        Thanks so much Matt! It’s so good with the yams!

        Reply
    3. Cliona Keane

      October 16, 2017 at 1:59 pm

      This looks absolutely delicious! Shepherd’s pie is one of my favourite meals and your version looks fantastic, especially with that gorgeous yam topping!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 16, 2017 at 3:17 pm

        Thanks so much Cliona!

        Reply
    4. Sarah @ Champagne Tastes

      October 16, 2017 at 2:04 pm

      I just heard someone talking about how traditionally shepherd’s pie is made with lamb.. so maybe the version you didn’t like had lamb! I love that you swapped out the potatoes for yams- yum!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 16, 2017 at 3:17 pm

        I’m not sure Sarah, as I love lamb. I think it was all mixed together!

        Reply
    5. Amy

      October 16, 2017 at 2:11 pm

      This looks and sounds fantastic! I especially like the addition of the kale, which I have never included in Shepherd’s Pie before! Yum!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 17, 2017 at 8:38 am

        Thank you Amy! It’s quite yummy with the kale. I’ve also used spinach which is just as yummy!

        Reply
    6. Lisa Huff

      October 16, 2017 at 2:19 pm

      My daughter has been on a huge Shepherd’s Pie kick lately! Love the idea of using yams!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 16, 2017 at 3:16 pm

        Thank you Lisa! It’s so tasty with the yams!

        Reply
    7. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy

      October 16, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      I love shepherd’s pie. Topping it with yams is such a delicious change of pace. Will have to remember this for next time I need to whip up this casserole.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 17, 2017 at 8:36 am

        Thanks Gloria! It’s fun with the yam! Thank you for your comment. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Vicky @ Avocado Pesto

      October 16, 2017 at 3:24 pm

      Like you I too was not a fan of shepherds pie at first but now it has grown on me! Love the step by step photos in this post!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 17, 2017 at 8:36 am

        Thank you Vicky!

        Reply
    9. Kristen R.

      October 16, 2017 at 7:11 pm

      Awesome unique twist on the traditional! I love the use of yams (great color), kale, and spice combo in this.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 17, 2017 at 8:36 am

        Thank you Kristen!

        Reply
    10. dixya @food, pleasure, and health

      October 17, 2017 at 6:54 pm

      this is a total comfort food..and love the switch up.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 17, 2017 at 7:12 pm

        Thank you Dixya!

        Reply
    11. Analida Braeger

      October 19, 2017 at 7:00 am

      I shepherds pie in my youth while living at school in England and I didn’t much care for it at the time. If they had served one like yours I would have loved it! Thanks for sharing a great recipe.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 20, 2017 at 8:46 am

        Thanks so much Analida! I love how our tastes change over the years!

        Reply
    12. Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food

      October 19, 2017 at 8:28 am

      I, for one, ADORE shepherd’s pie, but I’ve had a really bad one before: I can imagine how that would have turned me off very early on had that been my first encounter with the dish. I love that you use baked yam slices in place of the traditional mashed potatoes: combined with the kale, this is a very healthy version of the classic!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 20, 2017 at 8:47 am

        Thanks so much Michelle!! I do prefer the yams myself, which is weird because I totally love mashed potatoes!!

        Reply
    13. Amanda Wren-Grimwood

      October 19, 2017 at 9:34 am

      I think it’s great to take an old idea and add something new to it. Now I know that yams are sweet potatoes I will definitely be making this as I prefer them to mashed potato anyway!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 19, 2017 at 12:48 pm

        Thanks Amanda. It makes it extra tasty, at least to me!!

        Reply
    14. Patty

      October 19, 2017 at 12:10 pm

      That looks so good Lainey, doubly so because you used yams instead of potatoes, love it and will try your way asap! 🙂

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 19, 2017 at 12:48 pm

        Thanks so much Patty!! You are such a good friend!

        Reply
    15. Chris

      October 19, 2017 at 1:52 pm

      LOVE this new version over the classic mashed potatoes!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 19, 2017 at 4:46 pm

        Thank you Chris!

        Reply
    16. Corina Blum

      October 20, 2017 at 8:24 am

      I have to admit that I also didn’t like shepherds pie in the past but it’s one of those things that I’ve grown to love over the past few years. I love the way you’ve prepared this one – sounds so tasty!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 20, 2017 at 8:48 am

        Thank you Corina, I appreciate it!

        Reply
    17. Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy

      October 20, 2017 at 10:55 am

      I love anything that finds a way to swap potatoes for the more nutritious yams and sweet potatoes! Brilliant!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 20, 2017 at 1:19 pm

        Thank you Tina!! 🙂

        Reply
    18. Jacque

      October 20, 2017 at 11:10 am

      Comforting! I love Shepard’s pie!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 20, 2017 at 1:19 pm

        Thanks Jacque!

        Reply
    19. Janette | Culinary Ginger

      October 20, 2017 at 11:29 am

      I’m loving this healthy and colorful twist on a classic. It looks delicious.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 20, 2017 at 1:19 pm

        Thank you Janette!

        Reply
    20. Amelie

      October 20, 2017 at 12:14 pm

      I’m always looking for this kind of family oven dishes, and I’m pretty sure my kids will love this one too. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 20, 2017 at 1:05 pm

        Thank you Amelie!! I hope they enjoy it! It’s quite yummy!

        Reply
    21. Lauren

      October 20, 2017 at 12:58 pm

      I love that you top the whole thing with yams. Such a delicious touch!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 20, 2017 at 1:06 pm

        Thanks Lauren!!

        Reply
    22. Danielle

      October 20, 2017 at 1:49 pm

      This is such a British classic and always reminds me of being a kid. We try to have it every couple of weeks.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 20, 2017 at 2:05 pm

        Mmmm. I want to now have it monthly! Thanks Danielle!

        Reply
    23. Carol Borchardt

      October 21, 2017 at 9:27 am

      I love this updated and healthier twist on shepherd’s pie! I have a Paleo personal chef client who I think would really love this so am going to give it a try. Well, I’d have to delete the corn, but everything else is perfect!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 23, 2017 at 7:59 am

        Thanks Carol! It would be perfect Paleo (sans corn)!

        Reply
    24. Tatiana

      October 21, 2017 at 10:12 am

      Shepherds pie with a twist? Yes please ! I am not a fan of traditional shepherds pies, even though I madly love mashed potatoes… really curious of the taste of yours!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 23, 2017 at 8:00 am

        Tatiana! Thanks. I love mashed potatoes too but not on shepherds pie. The yams are perfect because they aren’t mashed with anything!

        Reply
    25. Amanda Mason

      October 22, 2017 at 5:22 pm

      So I’m like you…I dont like Shepard’s Pie….like at all but this….THIS looks and sounds amazing! I just printed this off and I cant wait to try it this week!!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 23, 2017 at 8:01 am

        Thanks so much Amanda!

        Reply
    26. Christine

      October 22, 2017 at 6:37 pm

      Love Shepherd’s Pie around this time of year! So cozy, hearty, and delicious. Definitely hope to make it soon!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 22, 2017 at 6:48 pm

        Thanks so much Christine!!

        Reply
    27. Carrie Ditton

      October 22, 2017 at 8:41 pm

      I never thought to use yams instead of potatoes. What a great twist on a classic comfort food!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 23, 2017 at 7:58 am

        Thank you Carrie! 🙂

        Reply
    28. Katherine D'Costa

      October 27, 2017 at 12:32 am

      What a fantastic idea to use yams instead! And grass-fed beef too? Love your version.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 27, 2017 at 7:28 am

        Thanks you Katherine!!

        Reply
    29. Laura

      October 31, 2017 at 3:02 am

      You clever girl, I never had kale but the sweet potatoes sounds a good option. I don’t make shepherds pie because my family do not love mashed potatoes, but this version might go win them over.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 31, 2017 at 9:11 pm

        Thanks Laura!! I love the sweet potatoes just sliced. Gives it a nice bite instead of mush 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Elaine! I'm so glad you stopped by. Here you will find lots of tasty cocktails, comforting food and inspiration for your next meal. I LOVE chocolate, almost all foods, blogging, photography and spending time with my hubby!

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