I first made this Lentil Shepherd’s Pie when Finn was in the early stages of eating solids and preferred softer foods. The pie is lovely and soft making it perfect for both spoon-fed and baby-led weaning babies.
Of course, it isn’t limited to just baby food, Lentil Shepherd’s Pie is a delicious family meal for all ages.
What is Shepherd’s Pie?
Shepherd’s Pie, or Cottage Pie, is a meat pie with a crust of mashed potato. Shepherd’s Pie is generally made with lamb, and Cottage Pie usually applies to one made with beef.
So technically this isn’t a Shepherds Pie at all. Often meat-free versions are named Shepherdless Pies but I’ve just stuck with Shepherd’s Pie for this recipe!
The Lentil Base
The lentil base is something I make a version of regularly. I use it in Lentil Lasagne or serve it as an alternative to a meat bolognese. It is easy to make and very baby / child-friendly.
Do You Have to Use Sweet Potato?
I used sweet potato for this Lentil Shepherd’s Pie recipe because Finn (and now Rory) are crazy over sweet potato. I have, however, also made this pie using standard mashed potato and have even made a version using a mixture of mashed potato with mashed carrot, like in this Five a Day Pie.
Use what you think your kids would like best. If they love the pie you can always try a different topping the next time you make it!
Finn (now 6) still enjoys this dish. It is a perfect meal solution for when I have no meat in the fridge. Lentils are a good source of protein and the whole dish is full of vegetables to help reach your five a day.
Have you tried this recipe? I’d love to know what you think. Please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram or Facebook.
*This post was first published in Nov 2013. Photos were updated in March 2018 but the recipe remains the same.
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Lentil Shepherd"s Pie
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 onions (finely chopped)
- 1 celery stalk (finely chopped)
- 2 carrots (finely chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 bay leaf
- 185g ( 1 cup) red split lentils
- 400g (1 can) tin chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 625ml 2 .5 cups Veg stock *SEE NOTE 1
- Topping
- 750g Sweet Potato (peeled and cut into chunks) *SEE NOTE 2
- 50g (1/2 cup) Cheddar Cheese (grated) *SEE NOTE 3
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan and sauté onion, carrots, celery and garlic for 10 mins or until softened
- Stir in the lentils
- Add tomatoes, tomato puree, bay leaf and 1 cup of stock.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for approx. 30 mins (until the lentils are soft and the sauce has thickened) (Keep adding more stock as needed)
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 220c / 430F and place the sweet potato in a pan of boiling water. Boil until soft (approx. 15 mins)
- Thoroughly drain and mash the potatoes.
- Transfer the lentil mixture to a oven proof dish and top with the sweet potato.
- Sprinkle with cheese (optional) and cook in oven for approx. 15 mins.
Video
Recipe Notes
- If serving to a baby use homemade, low sodium stock or replace with water.Â
- You can replace the sweet potato with white potatoes if you prefer.
- Cheese is optional.Â
Tabitha says
I just wanted to ask what tomato purée is? Is it just tomato sauce or is it tomato paste? Thanks so much 🙂
Amy says
Hi Tabitha, it is tomato paste. 🙂
Victoria Mukungulu says
Huge hit with 16 month old! He wolfed it down! Even wanting sends! Thank you xx
Amy says
Great to hear! Thanks Victoria 🙂
Emma Dave says
Hello, looking forward to trying this recipe. I just wanted to check if the oven temperature and timings are for a fan oven or a standard oven? I have a fan oven.
Amy says
Hi Emma, I use a fan oven 🙂
Kaylie says
Delicious! My 9 month old loved it and so did I. I baked slightly longer, added 1/2 cup ground beef to the lentil mixture, and used 2 cups of Mutti tomato purée as the tomato ingredients because I didn’t have chopped tomatoes. It is an incredibly filling dish and very flavorful. This was the first dish I’ve made that my little one and I could share. So grateful I found your site! Thank you for sharing your wisdom 🙂
Amy says
Thanks Kaylie, so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Maya says
My 12 month old loved this! So hearty and tasty. I can’t wait to try your other recipes.
Amy says
Thanks Maya, so happy your little one enjoyed it. Hopefully you have success with some other recipes 🙂
Claire says
Very yummy my 9 month old loved it! Have you tried freezing this recipe?
Amy says
Thanks Claire, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yes you can freeze 🙂