Lentil and Mushroom Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower

Name: Lentil and Mushroom Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 1 head cauliflower (chopped); 2 teaspoons olive oil or Earth Balance; 1 cup chopped onion; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 carrot (1/3 cup chopped); 1 celery stick (1/2 cup chopped); 1 garlic clove (minced); 1 cup chopped baby portobello mushrooms; 1/4 cup red wine; 1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves; 2 cups low sodium vegetable broth; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1/2 cup dry orange lentils; 1 tablespoon low sodium gluten free tamari; 1/2 cup peas; salt and pepper

Published: Mar 1, 2017 · Modified: Nov 9, 2023 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

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This Lentil and Mushroom Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower is healthy and comforting.

Lentil and Mushroom Shepherd's Pie on palate with a fork.

I just created a new favorite comfort food. I made this Lentil and Mushroom Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower because St. Patrick's Day is around the corner, and I have been wanting to make a vegan shepherd's pie for a while now.

I think the last time that I had shepherd's pie was about twenty years ago before I was vegan, and it was not as good as this!

I am getting a little better at posting recipes in time for the holidays. I have been terrible about that in the past.

This shepherd's pie actually reminds me of Thanksgiving. Anytime I use thyme or sage in a recipe (or both), it reminds me of Thanksgiving. I think it's because the stuffing that I like has sage and thyme in it.

This Lentil Shepherd's Pie is packed with flavor. I added tamari for an umami flavor, and red wine to enhance the flavors of the other ingredients, as well as add sweetness and depth to the dish.

You should always cook with a wine that you would drink. Otherwise, your food is not going to come out as good. Stay away from the cooking wine!

Of course, I am not saying grab the really expensive bottle of wine, but a cheaper bottle that you would actually drink.

Another shepherd's pie recipe to try is my Vegan Mexican Shepherd's Pie recipe.

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❤️ Why You'll Love It
🧾 Ingredients
📖 Variations / Additions
🔪 Instructions
🍽 Serving
👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
Other Vegan Dinner Recipes
📋 Recipe
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💬 Comments

❤️ Why You'll Love It

Made with mashed cauliflower, it is healthy and hearty.
It is warm and comforting.
It is perfect for any holiday.

🧾 Ingredients

Cauliflower: I used fresh cauliflower, but frozen would work as well. You could also use vegan mashed potatoes.
Olive oil
Onion, carrot, celery: Add flavor and aroma.
Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
Mushrooms: I used baby portobello mushrooms. You can use another variety of mushrooms.
Red wine: Use a red wine that you would actually drink.
Fresh thyme: Adds a herby pepper flavor.
Tomato paste: Adds a rich concentrated tomato flavor.
Vegetable broth: I used low-sodium vegetable broth because I like to control the amount of sodium.
Orange lentils: I used dry orange lentils, also known as red lentils.
Tamari: I used low-sodium gluten-free tamari because I like to control the amount of sodium. You could also use soy sauce, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos.
Peas: I used frozen peas. You don't need to thaw them first.
Salt and pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor. I like to use sea salt.

To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

📖 Variations / Additions

Mashed potatoes
Another variety of lentils
Corn
Green beans
Parsnips

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🔪 Instructions

Mashed cauliflower

Step 1: Steam cauliflower until tender. Let cool.

Step 2: In a food processor, mix cauliflower, vegan butter or olive oil, and salt and pepper until smooth and creamy.

Filling

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a pan. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until tender.

Step 2: Add garlic. Cook another minute.

Step 3: Add mushrooms, thyme, and red wine. Cook until the wine is reduced to half.

Step 4: Add vegetable broth, tomato paste, lentils, tamari, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes.

Step 5: Add peas. Cook another 5-10 minutes until lentils are soft and tender.

Step 6: Pour the filling into a baking dish.

Step 7: Spread mashed cauliflower on top.

Step 8: Bake for 10-15 minutes, then broil for 5 minutes to brown the mashed cauliflower.

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower birds eye view.

🍽 Serving

Veggie Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower close up

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

What is vegan shepherd's pie made of?

This vegan shepherd's pie is made with orange lentils, celery, carrots, onion, peas, tamari, mushrooms, red wine, fresh thyme, and mashed cauliflower.

How long will vegan shepherd's pie last?

This recipe will last 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.