For this Curried Shepherd’s Pie, the ground beef (or ground turkey) is mixed with spices, peas, carrots, and celery, then topped with a pile of fluffy, mashed potatoes!

Curried Shepherd's Pie on a plate

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Serve this Curried Shepherd’s Pie when you’re craving a hearty meal that’s bursting with savory flavors. This Shepherd’s Pie is full of unique flavor and perfect for celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day! 

Curried Shepherd’s Pie

This spin on the traditional shepherd’s pie, with Indian spices, is topped with creamy potatoes, and is so easy to make! Mix the meat and spices and veggies. Whip the potatoes, or use leftover potatoes. It’s delicious, just like this Best Cassic Shepherd’s Pie.

Curried Shepherd's Pie wtih ground turkey

Why I love this recipe

  • It’s the perfect comfort dish for a weeknight meal. for anyone who loves spices and South Asian food.
  • Easy to make, with results that are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.
  • On the table in an hour.

peas, carrots in cottage pie

Gather these ingredients:

The ingredient list is mostly spices that will make this dish taste better than the classic Shepherd’s Pie. 

  • Russet potatoes
  • Milk
  • Butter
  • Salt
  • Olive oil
  • Mirepoix: mixture of onions, carrots, celery, finely chopped – about 2 cups
  • Ground turkey: you can use ground beef or ground lamb
  • Ginger
  • Curry powder
  • Gram masala
  • Cinnamon
  • Tumeric
  • Frozen peas

how to make Curried Shepherd's Pie

How do you make Shepherd’s Pie?

  1. Place peeled and chopped potatoes in a large pot of boiling water. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until soft. Drain and return to pot.
  2. Mash potatoes with butter, milk, and 1 tsp. salt.
    Heat oil in a large baking dish over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon. Stir in the mirepoix (carrots, celery, onions) along with the ginger, salt, curry, gram masala, turmeric, and some water.
  3. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring once or twice; add more water if necessary. Uncover and stir in the peas. Cook and then remove from heat.
  4. Spread creamy potatoes over turkey mixture in dish and sprinkle with a small amount of gram masala, if desired. Bake, uncovered.

Curried Shepherd's Pie with ground turkey

How do you eat Shepherd’s Pie?

My favorite way to eat this Curried Shepherd’s Pie is heating up leftovers the next day. You can also eat the next day mixed with scrambled eggs. It makes a hearty, delicious breakfast and the eggs pair perfectly with the curry flavors.

How do you serve Curried Shepherd’s Pie?

We love this main dish served with an Irish Pub Salad, and Irish Bread Pudding for dessert.

Tips and substitutions:

  • Replace the ground turkey for ground beef or ground lamb, or a mix (half and half).
  • Make your own mirepoix (mixture of onions, carrots, celery, finely chopped – about 2 cups), or buy it pre-chopped at Trader Joe’s.
  • Use a good curry powder (such as my Sri Lankan curry powder or madras curry powder).
  • Potatoes – We used Russet potatoes, but you can also use Yukon Gold. Do not use waxy potatoes.
  • Feel free to add in a little cayenne if you want a kick, and get ready to dig into your new favorite comfort meal.
  • This is also a great meal to make ahead to freeze.

a serving of Shepherd's Pie

How to serve this dish.

  • Make it with leftover turkey later this month, and invite others in!
  • Bake it for a family in need, and take it to their house!
  • Take this dish to any potluck. 
  • Invite a family over for dinner!

Looking for a meal to make that will be devoured quickly? Just make sure to get yourself a bowl before it’s all gone!

More comfort casserole dishes to try:

Best Canned Corned Beef Hash

4-Cheese Meatball Casserole

Best Tuna Casserole

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Curried Shepherd's Pie on a plate
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Curried Shepherd’s Pie

For this Curried Shepherd's Pie, the meat is mixed with spices, peas, carrots, and onions, then topped with fluffy, mashed potatoes!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 6
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Ingredients
 

  • 2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • ½ cup milk
  • 3 Tbsp. butter
  • 2 tsp salt, divided
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 14 oz. mirepoix, mixture of onions, carrots, celery, finely chopped – about 2 cups
  • 1 lb. ground turkey
  • 1 ½ cups carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 tsp ginger
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp curry
  • 1 tsp gram masala
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp tumeric
  • 2 cups peas, thawed, you can use frozen

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Place peeled and chopped potatoes in a large pot of boiling water. Bring to a boil over high heat for 10 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
  • Mash the potatoes with butter, milk, and 1 tsp. salt.
  • Heat oil in a large baking dish over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, for 4-5 minutes. Stir in the mirepoix (carrots, celery, onions) along with the ginger, 1 tsp. of the salt, curry, gram masala, turmeric, and 3/4 cup water.
  • Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring once or twice, for about 6-7 minutes, adding more water if necessary. Uncover and stir in the peas. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
  • Spread mashed potatoes over turkey mixture in a baking dish, and sprinkle with gram masala on top, if desired. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Notes

Reposted from November 2014.
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Course
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Curried Shepherd's Pie with creamy mashed potatoes