Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

I love a roasted turkey like my Juicy Oven Roasted Turkey with Maple Glaze. However, I also use ground turkey to create lighter takes on some of my favorite meals, including my Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey Chili and now this shepherd's pie with ground turkey. 

It's just as hearty as a classic shepherd's pie made with beef or lamb, but the turkey reduces the fat content slightly and adds a little more protein. With minimal prep, it's a great recipe for everything from busy weeknights to Sunday gatherings. 

Key Ingredients and Notes

• Turkey - I like to use ground turkey with a bit of fat to add flavor to the turkey filling. I find that anywhere between 80% to 93% is great. 
• Vegetables - I use a bag of mixed frozen vegetables, but any frozen veggies will do. I don't recommend using fresh vegetables for this recipe, or they're likely to be a little tough. 
• Mashed Potatoes - I like to use leftover Instant Pot Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Cheesy Mashed Potatoes to save time, but freshly prepared mashed potatoes also work. 
• Havarti Cheese - This adds a creamy, almost buttery taste and texture, giving the mashed potatoes lots of flavor. 

Possible Variations 

• Meat - I've also made this recipe with lean ground beef, ground pork, and ground chicken, and all work well.
• Potatoes - Try swapping regular mashed potatoes with mashed sweet potatoes for a slightly sweeter, more colorful topping. Cauliflower mash works well for a lighter, lower-carb version.
• Veggies - Add to the frozen vegetables with corn, mushrooms, green beans, or celery. 
• Cheese - Havarti melts beautifully, but cheddar cheese, Gruyère, mozzarella, or even a smoked Gouda give the dish a different flavor profile.

How to Make Ground Turkey Shepherd's Pie 

Brown the turkey - Sauté the onion in oil in a large skillet until softened. Then, add the turkey and seasonings, and cook, breaking the meat into pieces, until it browns. 

Thicken the filling - Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the turkey mixture, stir to combine, and cook until the flour is absorbed. Slowly pour in the chicken stock, stirring constantly, and let it cook until the meat mixture thickens. 

Combine - Stir in the vegetables, and remove the skillet from the heat. 

Prepare the potatoes - Warm the potatoes, and stir in the shredded cheese. 

Layer and bake - Spread the cheesy mashed potatoes evenly over the filling, and bake until everything heats through. Broil for the last few minutes to achieve a golden top. 

Serve - Let the shepherd's pie rest for a few minutes, and enjoy! 

Amanda's Expert Tips

• Use a casserole dish. If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the turkey mixture to a greased casserole dish or baking pan. Then, spread the potato topping evenly over the filling, and bake in a preheated oven as usual. 
• Make fresh mashed potatoes. If you don't have leftover mashed potatoes, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Then, cook Russet potatoes until they're fork-tender, and drain the water. Add milk, heavy cream, sour cream, or unsweetened almond milk to keep the recipe dairy-free, along with butter (regular or plant-based) or olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Then, use a potato masher to blend the ingredients and create a smooth consistency.   
• Adjust the flavor. Taste the turkey mixture before adding the mashed potatoes. Season to taste, adding paprika, thyme, parsley, fresh rosemary, or even a splash of Worcestershire sauce as desired. If the filling is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth, beef broth, or vegetable broth to thin it out slightly. 

Serving Suggestions

With protein, carbs, and veggies, this ground turkey shepherd's pie makes for a filling, nutritious meal on its own. However, if serving a large crowd, I like to add an Easy Spinach Salad or Easy Italian Arugula Salad, too. 

Then, don't forget to add Fudgy Chocolate Whiskey Brownies or Creamy Baked Nutella Cheesecake for dessert! 

How to Store 

Once cool, transfer leftovers to an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

To serve, thaw the frozen shepherd's pie in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat individual portions in the microwave. Or, warm a large batch in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. If the top begins to brown too quickly in the oven, cover it with aluminum foil, and continue to bake. 

More Comfort Food Recipes

If you enjoy this Ground Turkey Shepherd's Pie Recipe, you'll love these comfort foods, too! 

• Cast Iron Chicken Pot Pie - A creamy filling topped with flaky biscuits, ready in just over 30 minutes. 
• Skillet Lasagna - A single-skillet take on a classic Italian recipe. 
• Cheesy Skillet French Onion Chicken - All the flavors of your favorite soup with added protein. 
• Baked Skillet Asiago Chicken - Savory, cheese chicken ready to eat in under 30 minutes!