If you’re anything like me, figuring out what to eat can be a rather daunting task sometimes. There’s a lot of decisions that need to be made like what you’re in the mood for, what ingredients you already have, what you need to get from the store etc.
All of these decisions can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re having a really busy week. The last thing you want to do is stress about what to eat for dinner!
The Solution?
Don’t stress, there’s fantastic and easy recipes waiting just for you. You’ll know exactly what you’re making this week without the hassle of having to come up with it on your own. Take a moment to take a look at this mouth-watering meal idea!
Traditional Style Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Starting out with a timeless favorite, the traditional shepherd’s pie but with a twist! We’re going vegan for this meal! If you want to keep regular beef and dairy, please do so, but just have fun with it. Who knows you might even like the plant-based version better!
The Cooking Process
First things first! You’ll need to check your fridge and pantry for all the veggies needed and of course some good looking russet potatoes. For this recipe it’s important that you also have the appropriate oils and Italian seasoning.
Start by boiling a large pot of water and preheating your oven to 400 (f) degrees. In the meantime, peel and cube about 5 large potatoes. Your cubes should be about an inch in thickness. Once the water is ready, plop in your potatoes and boil for about 25 minutes or until tender on medium heat. Drain and set aside.
Next, with only a few quick dairy and egg substitutes, you’re on your way to make a creamy and hearty dish. You’ll want to make sure that you get plant-based cream cheese, vegan cheddar style cheese, and soy milk.
You can use other plant-based milk types, but soy milk is my favorite. It allows you to get that creamy texture perfect every time without the dairy! Make sure to grab a jar of vegan mayo too. You’ll want to make sure to stir in the vegan mayonnaise, soy milk, olive oil, vegan cream cheese, and salt into the potatoes.
Grab your potato masher (or really good fork) and mash everything all together! All of the dairy substitutes are perfect for anyone with either a sensitivity or allergy to dairy too.
Don’t forget to grab your plant-based ground “beef”. You can find a variety of options at your local grocery store. If you’re having trouble finding the “ground”, you can also purchase plant-based burger patties to substitute.
Just make sure it’s “meat like” Simply chop your veggies and heat your vegetable oil in a skillet. Drop in all of your prepped veggies aside from the garlic and simmer for about 10 minutes until softened.
Now you can stir in your Italian seasoning, garlic, and pepper. Crumble in your “beef” grounds and cook on medium-low for about 5 or so minutes.
Assembling Your Shepard’s Pie
Now comes the fun part! Let’s put all of our ingredients to make a meal that’s sure to have you coming back for seconds!
Start by spraying a 2 qt. Cooking pan evenly. This is really important, you don’t want your pie to get stuck! Not too much, not too little, just a nice even coat.
Once that’s ready, spread some of the meat subtitle into the bottom of the dish. Spread it evenly so it covers every corner. This will be your base layer.
Next, layer potatoes. Smooth your mashed potatoes over to give the whole dish nice and even coverage. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top. This will create a yummy crust! Next, bake for about 20 minutes. Your pie should come out with the cheese melted and slightly browned. Careful it will be super hot! Serve and enjoy your meal!
In just about an hour and fifteen minutes, you’ve made yourself a traditional vegan shepherd’s pie! This recipe serves 6, so it’s the perfect meal to eat with family or friends.
You can be a total hit at your next dinner party or save the leftovers as a meal prep. Cooking really doesn’t have to be hard. Now you know what to eat this week!