This shepherd’s pie swaps the usual beef and white potatoes for ground turkey and a mashed sweet potato topping. The filling is savory with thyme and smoked paprika, and the topping bakes up golden and lightly sweet.
Ground turkey is often one of the less expensive ground meats, and a pound of it with carrots and peas feeds six. It’s a full dinner in one dish, with the vegetables built in.
The pie can be assembled ahead and baked when you need it, and it freezes well.
Ingredients and Swaps
- Ground turkey: Lean ground turkey. Ground chicken or lean beef work too.
- Sweet potatoes: Mashed with a little Greek yogurt and butter. Regular potatoes make a classic topping.
- Vegetables: Onion, carrots and frozen peas. Corn or green beans can replace the peas.
- Tomato paste and broth: These make the gravy that holds the filling together.
- Seasoning: Thyme and smoked paprika.
Tips for a Shepherd’s Pie That Holds Together
- Simmer the filling until thick. It should be saucy, not soupy. Extra liquid bubbles up through the topping.
- Drain the sweet potatoes well. Wet potatoes make a loose mash.
- Spread the mash from the edges in. Sealing the edges first keeps the filling from bubbling over.
- Rough up the top. Dragging a fork across the mash makes ridges that brown.
- Rest for 10 minutes. The filling sets and serves more neatly.
Prices are from Walmart’s and ALDI’s websites for stores in Columbus, Ohio, checked in October 2026. Ohio’s grocery prices are within about 1% of the national average, so you may pay more or less depending on where you live, and prices change often. Here’s how we price our recipes.
Cost: Ingredients – $6.01 from Walmart, $5.40 from ALDI · Per Serving – $0.90 to $1.00
Turkey & Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Boil sweet potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 12–15 minutes. Drain and mash with Greek yogurt, butter (if using), salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned.
- Add onion, garlic, and carrots. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in tomato paste, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in peas, then transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
- Spread mashed sweet potatoes evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until heated through and lightly golden on top.
Notes
- Swap ground turkey for ground chicken.
- Add mushrooms for extra depth of flavor.
- Sprinkle a little grated Parmesan on top before baking.
- Make individual portions in ramekins.
Make-Ahead, Storage and Freezing
- Make ahead: Assemble, cover and refrigerate for up to a day. Add 10 minutes to the baking time.
- Refrigerate: Leftovers keep for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm at 325°F covered with foil, or microwave in short intervals.
- Freeze: Wrap portions tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.
You might also like: Mini Meatloaf Muffins and Make-Ahead Beef Lasagna.
Turkey Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie: Your Questions
What size dish do I need?
A 2-quart baking dish, an 8×8-inch pan or a deep 9-inch pie plate.
Can I use leftover mashed potatoes?
Yes. About 3 cups of leftover mashed sweet or white potatoes will cover the top.
