Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients:
For the filling:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 can (15 ounces) lentils, drained and rinsed
1 cup vegetable broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
For the mashed potato topping:
4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1/4 cup vegan butter or olive oil
1/4 cup non-dairy milk (such as almond, soy, or oat milk)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
Add the diced carrots, celery, red bell pepper, and mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables start to soften.
Stir in the lentils, vegetable broth, tomato paste, soy sauce (or tamari), dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. If needed, add more vegetable broth to achieve a slightly thickened consistency.
While the filling is simmering, prepare the mashed potato topping. Place the potato chunks in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, typically around 15-20 minutes.
Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the vegan butter (or olive oil) and non-dairy milk. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Transfer the lentil and vegetable filling to a baking dish and spread it out evenly. Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the filling and smooth the surface with a spatula.
Place the shepherd’s pie in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the mashed potato topping becomes golden brown and slightly crispy.
Once cooked, remove the shepherd’s pie from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.