This delicious Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie is comforting, satisfying, and healthy. The mashed potato topping is creamy and luscious. This main dish recipe is a family favorite! Gluten-free, dairy-free, and 100% plant-based.

vegan shepherd's pie in a serving dish.

Shepherd’s pie is classic comfort food.

You may have seen my Paleo Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie, but this vegan version replaces meat with cooked lentils. The thick layer of creamy mashed potatoes brings together this savory dish and makes it a guaranteed winner.

Plant-based shepherd’s pie is a healthier version of the classic but just as satisfying! Lentils are high in plant-based protein and fiber which makes them filling especially when paired with dairy-free whipped potatoes.

Key Ingredients

ingredients for vegan shepherd's pie with lentils.
  • Lentils – Use green or brown lentils as they hold their shape well during cooking. They’re also high in fiber, protein, and iron with little to no fat.
  • White potatoes – If you’re avoiding white potatoes you can also use sweet potatoes in their place. White potatoes make for very creamy mashed potatoes especially when mixed with vegan butter.
  • Unsweetened almond milk – This is my go-to plant based dairy-free milk. It has a neutral flavor which makes it great for savory recipes. Feel free to use your favorite dairy-free milk or use regular milk if you can eat dairy.
  • Tomato paste – adds depth of flavor to the lentil mixture.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Steps

Let me show you how to make this Vegan Shepherd’s Pie that is perfect at any time of year. It’s the ultimate comfort food!

cooked potatoes in bowl.

Step One: Cook your potatoes for the pie.

mashed potatoes in bowl.

Step Two: Mash your cooked potatoes according to the recipe instructions (see below).

cooked lentils and onions for shepherd's pie.

Step Three: Cook your lentils and onions for the filling.

Step Four: Layer your cooked vegetables and top with your creamy mashed potato layer and bake.

Let the shepherd’s pie cool for a few minutes before serving. I hope you’ll agree that this is a tasty and fairly easy-to-make casserole.

I hope you love this vegan shepherd’s pie as much as I do! It’s a great recipe that is just as good as a traditional shepherd’s pie, but made plant-based.

cooked shepherd's pie with lentils on a tabletop.

Recipe Benefits

  • This shepherd’s pie makes 5-6 servings. It’s perfect for a family, or for meal prepping for the week.
  • You can easily swap out the white potatoes for sweet potatoes, if you prefer.
  • Lentils are a budget-friendly and plant-based substitute for meat or ground beef. They’re also easy to cook which makes this recipe even simpler.
  • This cozy lentil pie is perfect for a chilly weeknight or a holiday dinner. Everyone loves comfort food, especially when it’s healthy too.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes in this recipe?

Yes, absolutely! You might like to use this recipe for Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

Can I use cooked red or yellow lentils in this recipe?

No, it is best to use brown or green lentils for this shepherd’s pie. Red lentils break down much faster. They’re great for thickening up a dish but don’t hold their shape well which is what we want in this lentil shepherd’s pie.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep and assemble the whole shepherd’s pie ahead of time than pop it in the oven 20 minutes before dinner time. Or you can cook the lentils and potatoes ahead of time so then all you have to do is assemble and cook.

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

Print
clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon
vegan lentil shepherd's pie on table.

Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4 from 2 reviews

Print Recipe

This delicious Vegan Lentil Shepherd’s Pie is comforting, satisfying, and healthy. The mashed potato topping is creamy and luscious. This main dish recipe is a family favorite! Gluten-free, dairy-free, and 100% plant-based.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound white potatoes, scrubbed and quartered
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 tablespoons vegan butter
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups brown or green lentils, rinsed well (this will yield about 5 cups of cooked lentils)
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1 onion or 2 medium shallots, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves, chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves

Instructions

  1. The first step to making a shepherd’s pie is to make the mashed potatoes. I like using my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes recipe. It’s the easiest way to make mashed potatoes, in my opinion. You can also cook your potatoes on the stove.
  2. After you cook the potatoes in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop, transfer them to a mixing bowl and use a fork or potato masher to mash them with the almond milk, vegan butter, and salt and pepper. Set the mashed potatoes aside.
  3. The next step to this recipe is to cook your lentils. I also like to make Instant Pot Brown Lentils for this shepherd’s pie. Or, you can cook your lentils on the stovetop using the directions on the package.
  4. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  5. Then, heat up your oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté your chopped onion, garlic, lentils, tomato paste, and chopped sage for just a few minutes. Add the cooked lentil mixture to the bottom of a baking dish.
  6. Lastly, spread the cooked and mashed potatoes on top of the lentils and then bake the whole thing for 20 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees F.
  7. Let the shepherd’s pie cool for a few minutes before serving. 

Notes

  1. You can make the mashed potatoes up to several days in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them.
  2. You can use fresh or dried thyme, rosemary, or oregano in place of the sage, if you prefer.
  3. Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 377
  • Sugar: 4.8 g
  • Sodium: 310.5 mg
  • Fat: 3.4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 68.1 g
  • Fiber: 11.5 g
  • Protein: 21.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

More Healthy Vegan Recipes You Might Like

Or, check out my entire index of Vegan and Gluten-Free Recipes.

Don’t Miss These Lentil Recipes

Instant Pot Brown Lentils

Wild Rice Lentil Salad

Carrot Ginger Lentil Soup (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

Chickpea and Lentil Curry Recipe with Coconut Milk

Don’t forget to join my newsletter list to get exclusive clean eating recipes and tips. The newsletter is 100% free with no spam; unsubscribe anytime.

About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is a certified holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.