Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

What Makes This Recipe Great

If you’ve never tried shepherd’s pie with ground turkey, you’re in for a treat! This was one of my favorite foods my mom used to make when I was growing up. She used to make a version with ground beef, creamed corn, and mashed potatoes. I decided to make a healthier version using lean ground turkey, a gluten free gravy, and lightened up mashed potatoes. It has all the flavor and will leave you feeling great! It is a balanced meal with lots of healthy protein, carbs, and fat. This gluten free shepherds pie is also perfect for making ahead of time and baking later. If you’re looking for a keto shepherd’s pie recipe, check out my Skillet Shepherds Pie made with mashed cauliflower!

Recipe Highlights

• Easy shepherd’s pie recipe
• Budget-friendly
• Meal prep-friendly
• Gluten Free
• Dairy Free option
• Great source of protein with 44g per serving
• Comforting and delicious

Shepherd’s Pie Origin

You may be wondering where name came from, and what traditional shepherd’s pie is made of. Traditional shepherd’s pie is a hearty dish with origins in the United Kingdom and Ireland containing ground meat cooked in gravy, onions, carrots, celery, and a mashed potato topping. It came about in the late 1700s and early 1800s when supposedly housewives were trying to be frugal and make the best use of leftovers.

Traditional shepherd’s pie uses ground lamb, where “cottage pie” uses ground beef. Here in America, it’s been widely accepted to use any type of ground meat in shepherd’s pie. They originally named it “shepherd’s” pie because shepherds herded sheep, and the casserole was traditionally made with ground lamb and pastry.

Ground turkey: I like to get ground turkey at Costco where I can buy it in bulk and freeze extras for another time. Any type of ground turkey will work, but I prefer to use lean. Ground chicken will also work in this recipe.

Potatoes: I’ve found that russet potatoes work best to get the creamiest mashed potato topping.

Peas & carrots: If you can’t find a frozen bag containing both, you can just use 1/2 cup canned or frozen peas, and 1/2 cup canned or frozen carrots.

Butter: Feel free to use vegan butter for dairy free. Ghee also works.

Coconut aminos: This is one of my favorite gluten free alternatives to Worcestershire sauce that gives recipes a similar flavor. You can also use gluten free Worcestershire sauce if you do not have coconut aminos. I do not recommend using soy sauce.

Parmesan: Use nutritional yeast instead for dairy free, or you can omit this completely.

Arrowroot powder: This is a gluten free thickening agent similar to cornstarch. Both can be used interchangeably in this recipe.

1. Preheat the oven to 400. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground turkey and saute for 5-7 minutes until the turkey is mostly cooked through. Add in the garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Add the rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, coconut aminos, and tomato paste. Stir until well-incorporated and everything is well-combined.
3. Add the chicken broth, frozen peas, carrots, and corn Cook over medium high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Combine the arrowroot powder and water together to make a slurry. Pour it into the pan and stir until thickened about 30 seconds. Transfer the mixture to the casserole dish.
5. While the beef mixture is cooking, bring a pot of water to a boil for your potatoes. Add them and cook for 15-18 minutes until fork tender. Drain and return to the pot. Add the butter, Nutpods (or half & half), garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
6. Mash using a potato masher until combined. Stir in the parmesan cheese.
7. Add the mashed potato topping on top of the ground turkey mixture in the casserole dish. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly.
8. Top with cheddar cheese, if desired. Bake for 25-30 minutes until browned and bubbling!

More Gluten Free Comfort Food Recipes

Oven-Baked Gluten Free Mac & Cheese

Mississippi Pot Roast

Gluten Free Spaghetti Alfredo

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

French Onion Pasta

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