• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Oh My Veggies logo

  • Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian Main Dishes
    • Vegetarian Appetizers
    • Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes
    • Vegetarian Side Dishes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Snack Recipes
    • Drinks
    • Sauces, Spreads and Condiments
    • Holiday Recipes
    • From our Readers
  • Cooking Tips & Hints
    • Cooking Tips
    • Plant-Based Nutrition
    • Product Reviews
  • Shop Cookbooks
  • About Us
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Find Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • About Us
  • Free Meal Plan
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Find Recipes
    • Cookbooks
    • About Us
    • Free Meal Plan
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Oh My Veggies » Vegan Recipes » Vegan Main Dishes

    Lentil Meatless Shepherd's Pie

    Published: May 29, 2019 · by Nicole · Updated: May 19, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie
    Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie
    Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie
    shepherd's pie

    This Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie makes for a showstopping holiday meal, or just a super hearty meatless dinner. It's loaded with healthy flavor from protein-packed lentils, fresh herbs, and creamy mashed potatoes- all baked to golden perfection.

    vegan lentil shepherd's pie being served on a white dish
    Jump to:
    • Tips, Tricks, & Variations
    • More Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Shepherd's Pie just might be the perfect comfort food. It's warm and filling and creamy - just totally delicious to dig into on a cool fall or winter night.

    And this meatless version is every bit as comforting and delicious as the original! It's loaded with hearty lentils and tons of fresh veggies, all simmered together with flavorful herbs and topped with fluffy mashed potatoes.

    What's not to love?

    This Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie is:

    • A delicious meatless main dish.
    • Loaded with flavor from fresh herbs and savory broth.
    • Topped with creamy mashed potatoes.
    • Vegan.
    • Vegetarian.
    • Gluten-Free.

    This lentil shepherd's pie makes the perfect main dish for a vegetarian Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner too!

    (And if you're looking for more holiday menu ideas, be sure to check out our Vegan Christmas and Vegan Thanksgiving cookbooks!)

    vegan shepherd's pie being served

    Tips, Tricks, & Variations

    Be sure to use a deep-sided oven-safe pan for cooking the lentil mixture. This will allow you to simply add the mashed potato topping, and pop the whole thing into the oven.

    If you do not have a deep-sided pan that can go into the oven, you can alternatively transfer the lentil mixture to a baking dish - then top with mashed potatoes and bake in that.

    Feel free to experiment with whatever veggies are in season near you. I used onions, carrots, and corn, which are a pretty traditional combination for a shepherd's pie. But mushrooms, green peas, and bell peppers are also great choices.

    You can also vary the seasonings to your liking. I used a combination of thyme, rosemary, and smoked paprika. But an Italian seasoning blend would also be a great choice, and very convenient! You could also add a little chili powder for spice.

    I recommend using brown or green lentils for this shepherd's pie, as they will hold up well to cooking. Red lentils are one of my faves - but they don't work well in this recipe, as they get too mushy when cooked for long periods.

    Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days. You can also freeze this lentil shepherd's pie - I suggest freezing after assembling but before baking.

    slice of lentil shepherd's pie on a plate

    More Recipes

    If you're looking for more ideas for your vegetarian holiday menu, be sure to check out our Vegan Thanksgiving Cookbook or Vegan Christmas Cookbook!

    And if you love this vegan shepherd's pie, be sure to check out these other tasty ideas:

    • Lazy Lentil Shepherd's Pie
    • 20+ Vegetarian Lentil Recipes
    • Incredible Vegetarian Casserole Recipes

    Recipe

    Lentil Meatless Shepherd's Pie

    Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie

    This Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie makes for a showstopping holiday meal, or just a super hearty meatless dinner. It's loaded with healthy flavor from protein-packed lentils, fresh herbs, and creamy mashed potatoes- all baked to golden perfection.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Email Recipe
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
    Keyword: Lentil Meatless Shepherd's Pie, meatless shepherd's pie, vegan shepherd's pie
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 456kcal
    Author: Oh My Veggies

    Ingredients

    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 celery stalk finely chopped
    • 2 carrots medium, peeled and cubed
    • 1 onion medium, peeled and finely chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
    • 1 tsp dried thyme
    • ½ tsp dried rosemary
    • 1 tsp smoked paprika
    • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
    • ¼ cup crushed tomatoes
    • 3 ½ cups vegetable broth
    • 1 ½ cups green lentils or brown lentils
    • 2 cups corn kernels fresh or frozen
    • 2 tbsp salt plus more to taste
    • ¼ tsp black pepper plus more to taste

    Mashed potatoes

    • 2 pounds russet potatoes about 5-6 potatoes
    • 1 cup almond milk or other nondairy milk
    • 3 tbsp vegan butter
    • salt and pepper to taste
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    Make the Lentil Filling

    • Heat a large deep-sided ovenproof pan over medium heat. Add olive oil, celery, carrots, and onions, and cook for 7-8 minutes, until the vegetables are just softened and onions are beginning to brown.
    • Add the garlic, thyme, rosemary, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1-2 more minutes.
    • Add the balsamic vinegar and deglaze the pan, being sure to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add crushed tomatoes and stir.
    • Add the vegetable broth and lentils. Stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 25 minutes, until lentils are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
    • Stir in the corn kernels and cook for a couple more minutes, until corn is warmed through. Add salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.

    Make the Mashed Potato Topping

    • Peel the potatoes and rinse under running water. Roughly chop the potatoes.
    • In another pot, cover the potatoes with enough salted water to cover them completely. Bring to a boil, and cook for 15-20 minutes, until fork tender.
    • Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot or a mixing bowl. Mash the potatoes together with the nondairy milk and vegan butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    Assemble the Shepherd's Pie

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
    • Spread the mashed potatoes over top of the lentil and vegetable mixture in the ovenproof pan.
    • Bake for 15-20 minutes, and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 456kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 18gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 3116mgPotassium: 1313mgFiber: 19gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 4197IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 123mgIron: 6mg
    Craving more veg-friendly recipes? Shop our collection of vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, including our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas cookbooks!
    « Mini Vegetable Lasagnas
    Chocolate Orange Mousse »

    Christmas Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Thanksgiving Recipes, Vegan Main Dishes, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Main Dishes, Vegetarian Recipes mashed potatoes, pie

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. J C O says

      July 01, 2019 at 3:00 am

      4 stars
      I followed this recipe closely and ended up with a YUMMY casserole. Next time I'll double the potatoes so I can fully cover the top and will add more celery too.
      Overall, the flavors are great but the presentation needs a little fine tuning before I'll be taking it to any potlucks.

      Reply

    Something to say? Leave a comment. Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    image of the author

    Nicole is a life long vegetarian and the author of the popular vegan cookbook, Weeknight One Pot Vegan Cooking. She loves sharing her recipes and showing the world just how easy and delicious meatless meals can be!
    Learn more here.

    signature of author

    get a free 5 day vegetarian meal plan

    shop our vegetarian and vegan cookbooks

    Trending Recipes

    • Tasty Vegetarian Pot Pies
    • 35+ Sweet Treats for Valentine’s Day
    • 45+ Vegetarian Recipes for New Year’s Eve
    • 34 Amazing Butternut Squash Recipes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • Shop Cookbooks
    • About Us
    • Work with Me
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use

    Still hungry? Check out our delicious family of blogs.

    link to VegKitchen.com - vegan recipes website
    link to deliciouseveryday.com - a vegetarian and vegan recipes website
    link to allshecooks.com - a food blog
    link to wandertooth.com - a travel website

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Hook & Porter Media