This is my three cheers for shepherd’s pie casserole recipe. It’s a nice variation of the classic dish! Yams top a layer of kale with grass-fed beef in broth, spices, onions and corn at the base of this delicious meal!!
Shepherd’s Pie Casserole and what it means to me
I had shepherd’s pie casserole years ago and I didn’t like it, to begin with. However, maybe I was just in a mood. In fact, maybe that day I didn’t want my veggies mixed with meat and potatoes. Or maybe I just didn’t like shepherd’s pie.
Over the years, I would listen to my sister Robyn 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. The 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:
On to the Cheer for Shepherd’s Pie Casserole Recipe
Firstly, I preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pictured above, we have some delicious grass-fed beef, an onion, some beef broth and two freshly baked yams.
I fry the onions in my wok for 5 minutes before adding the beef, salt, cumin, oregano and garlic paste. I also continue to sauté everything for 5 minutes, leaving the beef on the rare side.
Lastly, I cut up the freshly cooked yams in slices and get the corn out of the freezer.
Start Layering the Shepherd’s Pie Casserole
I add broth and the corn to the meat mixture. I simmer it for 2 minutes and pour it into the baking dish. Next, I get the kale and sliced yams.
I take a few handfuls of kale and place them on top of the meat mixture.
I layer the yams on the kale and shred some cheddar cheese on top. I don’t take the skins off the yams but you can if you prefer to.
By the way, here’s another option: you can either spread out the yams by using your knife or you can leave them the way I did in the photo above. I’ve done it both ways so I need to bake this shepherd’s pie at least 12 more times before I can be sure which way is best.
Really.
Finally, I pop the shepherd’s pie into the oven and bake it for 25 minutes.
While I’m waiting, I make a salad. When the shepherd’s pie casserole is done, I let it sit for a few minutes and then plate it with a few asparagus spears.
And the next time my sister Robyn tells me that shepherd’s pie casserole is delicious, I will nod my head, knowingly.
I hope you enjoyed this Shepherd’s Pie Casserole recipe! Christopher and I certainly enjoy this meal.
Also, please leave me a comment. Do you like shepherd’s pie? I would love to know.
Finally, please feel free to Pin any photo to Pinterest and Yum the recipe to Yummly!
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 pound ground beef grass-fed
- 1/2 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
- 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- Preheat oven to 375 F
- Heat up your sauté pan or wok on medium heat
- 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
- Sprinkle cheddar over yams
- Bake for 25 minutes
- Let rest for 5 minutes before cutting into the shepherd's pie
- Plate with a veggie
- Eat
- Sigh
- Enjoy
The yams take 50 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 50 minutes. You can bake the yams a few hours before you make the shepherd's pie.
Mmmm This looks yummY!!!
Thank you Deanna!
Love comforting recipes like this. Totally need to try it with yams instead of potatoes.
Thanks so much Matt! It’s so good with the yams!
This looks absolutely delicious! Shepherd’s pie is one of my favourite meals and your version looks fantastic, especially with that gorgeous yam topping!
Thanks so much Cliona!
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!
I’m not sure Sarah, as I love lamb. I think it was all mixed together!
This looks and sounds fantastic! I especially like the addition of the kale, which I have never included in Shepherd’s Pie before! Yum!
Thank you Amy! It’s quite yummy with the kale. I’ve also used spinach which is just as yummy!
My daughter has been on a huge Shepherd’s Pie kick lately! Love the idea of using yams!
Thank you Lisa! It’s so tasty with the yams!
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.
Thanks Gloria! It’s fun with the yam! Thank you for your comment. 🙂
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!
Thank you Vicky!
Awesome unique twist on the traditional! I love the use of yams (great color), kale, and spice combo in this.
Thank you Kristen!
this is a total comfort food..and love the switch up.
Thank you Dixya!
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.
Thanks so much Analida! I love how our tastes change over the years!
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!
Thanks so much Michelle!! I do prefer the yams myself, which is weird because I totally love mashed potatoes!!
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!
Thanks Amanda. It makes it extra tasty, at least to me!!
That looks so good Lainey, doubly so because you used yams instead of potatoes, love it and will try your way asap! 🙂
Thanks so much Patty!! You are such a good friend!
LOVE this new version over the classic mashed potatoes!
Thank you Chris!
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!
Thank you Corina, I appreciate it!
I love anything that finds a way to swap potatoes for the more nutritious yams and sweet potatoes! Brilliant!
Thank you Tina!! 🙂
Comforting! I love Shepard’s pie!
Thanks Jacque!
I’m loving this healthy and colorful twist on a classic. It looks delicious.
Thank you Janette!
I’m always looking for this kind of family oven dishes, and I’m pretty sure my kids will love this one too. Thanks!
Thank you Amelie!! I hope they enjoy it! It’s quite yummy!
I love that you top the whole thing with yams. Such a delicious touch!
Thanks Lauren!!
This is such a British classic and always reminds me of being a kid. We try to have it every couple of weeks.
Mmmm. I want to now have it monthly! Thanks Danielle!
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!
Thanks Carol! It would be perfect Paleo (sans corn)!
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!
Tatiana! Thanks. I love mashed potatoes too but not on shepherds pie. The yams are perfect because they aren’t mashed with anything!
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!!
Thanks so much Amanda!
Love Shepherd’s Pie around this time of year! So cozy, hearty, and delicious. Definitely hope to make it soon!
Thanks so much Christine!!
I never thought to use yams instead of potatoes. What a great twist on a classic comfort food!
Thank you Carrie! 🙂
What a fantastic idea to use yams instead! And grass-fed beef too? Love your version.
Thanks you Katherine!!
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.
Thanks Laura!! I love the sweet potatoes just sliced. Gives it a nice bite instead of mush 🙂