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.
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:
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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.
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)
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)
Step eleven
Bake for 25 minutes.
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.
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!
Shepherds Pie Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 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
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
Deanna
Mmmm This looks yummY!!!
Elaine
Thank you Deanna!
Matt @ Plating Pixels
Love comforting recipes like this. Totally need to try it with yams instead of potatoes.
Elaine
Thanks so much Matt! It’s so good with the yams!
Cliona Keane
This looks absolutely delicious! Shepherd’s pie is one of my favourite meals and your version looks fantastic, especially with that gorgeous yam topping!
Elaine
Thanks so much Cliona!
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes
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!
Elaine
I’m not sure Sarah, as I love lamb. I think it was all mixed together!
Amy
This looks and sounds fantastic! I especially like the addition of the kale, which I have never included in Shepherd’s Pie before! Yum!
Elaine
Thank you Amy! It’s quite yummy with the kale. I’ve also used spinach which is just as yummy!
Lisa Huff
My daughter has been on a huge Shepherd’s Pie kick lately! Love the idea of using yams!
Elaine
Thank you Lisa! It’s so tasty with the yams!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
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.
Elaine
Thanks Gloria! It’s fun with the yam! Thank you for your comment. 🙂
Vicky @ Avocado Pesto
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!
Elaine
Thank you Vicky!
Kristen R.
Awesome unique twist on the traditional! I love the use of yams (great color), kale, and spice combo in this.
Elaine
Thank you Kristen!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
this is a total comfort food..and love the switch up.
Elaine
Thank you Dixya!
Analida Braeger
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.
Elaine
Thanks so much Analida! I love how our tastes change over the years!
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food
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!
Elaine
Thanks so much Michelle!! I do prefer the yams myself, which is weird because I totally love mashed potatoes!!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
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!
Elaine
Thanks Amanda. It makes it extra tasty, at least to me!!
Patty
That looks so good Lainey, doubly so because you used yams instead of potatoes, love it and will try your way asap! 🙂
Elaine
Thanks so much Patty!! You are such a good friend!
Chris
LOVE this new version over the classic mashed potatoes!
Elaine
Thank you Chris!
Corina Blum
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!
Elaine
Thank you Corina, I appreciate it!
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy
I love anything that finds a way to swap potatoes for the more nutritious yams and sweet potatoes! Brilliant!
Elaine
Thank you Tina!! 🙂
Jacque
Comforting! I love Shepard’s pie!
Elaine
Thanks Jacque!
Janette | Culinary Ginger
I’m loving this healthy and colorful twist on a classic. It looks delicious.
Elaine
Thank you Janette!
Amelie
I’m always looking for this kind of family oven dishes, and I’m pretty sure my kids will love this one too. Thanks!
Elaine
Thank you Amelie!! I hope they enjoy it! It’s quite yummy!
Lauren
I love that you top the whole thing with yams. Such a delicious touch!
Elaine
Thanks Lauren!!
Danielle
This is such a British classic and always reminds me of being a kid. We try to have it every couple of weeks.
Elaine
Mmmm. I want to now have it monthly! Thanks Danielle!
Carol Borchardt
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!
Elaine
Thanks Carol! It would be perfect Paleo (sans corn)!
Tatiana
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!
Elaine
Tatiana! Thanks. I love mashed potatoes too but not on shepherds pie. The yams are perfect because they aren’t mashed with anything!
Amanda Mason
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!!
Elaine
Thanks so much Amanda!
Christine
Love Shepherd’s Pie around this time of year! So cozy, hearty, and delicious. Definitely hope to make it soon!
Elaine
Thanks so much Christine!!
Carrie Ditton
I never thought to use yams instead of potatoes. What a great twist on a classic comfort food!
Elaine
Thank you Carrie! 🙂
Katherine D'Costa
What a fantastic idea to use yams instead! And grass-fed beef too? Love your version.
Elaine
Thanks you Katherine!!
Laura
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.
Elaine
Thanks Laura!! I love the sweet potatoes just sliced. Gives it a nice bite instead of mush 🙂