Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Potatoes

These Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Potatoes have all of the classic flavor of shepherd's pie, but require much less work. A family favorite!

Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Potatoes are such a fun take on a classic dish. Plus they have one big advantage – you don't have to make mashed potatoes! Not that mashed potatoes are particularly hard (find my recipe for dairy free mashed potatoes here). But they do take a bit of time and sometimes I want all of the cozy goodness of shepherd's pie FAST. Like weeknight fast. That's where this recipe comes in.

These shepherd's pie baked potatoes have one other hidden advantage as well. They're a bit more toddler-friendly. If you have a kiddo who still doesn't love “mixed foods” like casseroles, these baked potatoes are much easier to serve deconstructed. You can serve the potato and shepherd's pie topping separately on the plate and let your child eat as they wish. This can be a lot more approachable to those struggling with picky eating.

To make Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Potatoes, you'll start by getting those potatoes in the oven so they can bake while you make the topping. If you meal prep, bake the potatoes during your weekly meal prep session and simply reheat on the night you plan to serve them.

Once your potatoes are baking, you'll chop your onion and carrot. Sauté the ground lamb, herbs and salt and pepper until the lamb is almost cooked through. Feel free to substitute ground beef or even ground turkey for the lamb if you prefer.

Then add the chopped carrots and onion. After cooking for about 5-8 minutes, add the peas, tomato paste and half a cup of water. Cook 5 more minutes and your shepherd's pie topping is ready to go. Simply serve over your baked potatoes and enjoy!

Psst! Looking for a more classic Shepherd's Pie recipe? Find my healthy shepherd's pie here!

Are Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Potatoes good for meal prep?

Yes! My Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Potatoes are perfect for meal prep.

As I mentioned above, I definitely recommend baking the potatoes ahead of time. They're totally hands-off but do take a while so it's nice to bake them ahead of time if you're planning this for a weeknight dinner.

You can also make the entire filling ahead of time, as it reheats quite nicely. If you opt not to do this, I recommend at least chopping your carrots and onion ahead of time. I'm a big proponent of chopping all of your veggies ahead of time as I find it makes for a much less stressful week.

Are these healthy baked potatoes?

Yes! I would say these are indeed healthy baked potatoes. You may not think of baked potatoes as health food, but that's largely because of the typical toppings. When you top your potatoes with this healthy shepherd's pie filling, they have plenty of protein and some added veggie goodness. Here are some of the nutritional highlights:

Onion (Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Antioxidants, Folate, Potassium)

Did you know that the humble onion is actually packed with antioxidants? Antioxidants help protect you from free radicals that cause things like cancer and heart disease. Onions also have beneficial sulfides and polysulfides which may help protect against cancer.

Carrots (Vitamin A, Vitamin K1, Potassium, Vitamin B6, Antioxidants)

Both budget and kid-friendly, carrots are full of fiber and vitamins. Carrots also contain carotenoids, an antioxidant. As a result, they’re great for eye health, lowering cholesterol, and reducing cancer risk. Both cooking carrots and eating them alongside a source of fat, can help your body absorb more of the carrots' beta carotene. Beta carotene can then be converted into vitamin A.

Potatoes

They get a bad rap sometimes, but the reason potatoes are considered unhealthy by some has much more to do with preparation than nutritional content. Sure french fries won't make the cut for superfoods, but neither would deep fried brussels sprouts…. Cooked in a healthy way, potatoes can be quite a nutritious food. They offer vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, manganese and antioxidants. Much of the vitamin content is in the peel, so make sure to eat the skin!

Peas (Vitamin A, Vitamin K)

Technically a legume, green peas are particularly high in vitamin A and vitamin K. They're also quite high in protein and fiber.

Lamb (Iron, Vitamin B12, Zinc)

In addition to being an excellent source of protein and vitamins & minerals, lamb provides Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA). This is a type of fatty acid that appears to be good for your health. CLA is particularly high in grass-fed meat. Researchers believe CLA may help fight cancer, reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes and aid in weight loss.

More Healthy Baked Potato Toppings

Need more ideas for healthy baked potato toppings? Here are a few delicious options:

• Chili: Homemade chili makes a delicious and hearty baked potato toppings, full of protein and nutritious spices.
• Tex Mex Style: Give your baked potatoes a Tex Mex theme with toppings like black beans, avocado and either salsa or diced tomatoes.
• Pesto: Pesto makes a tasty baked potato topping and also gives your meal a highly nutritious boost of herbs and healthy fats. If you'd like to add some protein, shredded or ground chicken goes will with pesto and would be a delicious topping.

FAQ – Everything You Want to Know about Shepherd's Pie Stuffed Potatoes

Is shepherd's pie made with beef or lamb?

Shepherd's pie is traditionally made with lamb or mutton.

What is a shepherd's pie called when it's made from beef?

Shepherd's pie made from beef is called “cottage pie”.

What is the healthiest way to eat a baked potato?

Topping your potato with veggies and lean protein is a great way to keep your baked potato healthy. Fresh herbs are also a nice, healthy topping.

I want more healthy potato recipes