Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

Here’s a tasty twist on a classic American casserole dish. It’s a great recipe for a cold night when you want a warm and hearty meal.

Ingredients

Servings 4 

• 1 lb. sweet potatoes OR 45 oz. canned, unsweetened yams or sweet potatoes in water, rinsed
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon or nutmeg
• non-stick cooking spray
• 1 medium onion (any color), chopped
• 1 bell pepper (any color), seeded, chopped
• 1 lb. extra-lean, fat-free, ground turkey (95%-99% lean)
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme or basil
• 16 oz. frozen vegetable medley (like green beans, corn, and peas) or whatever is on sale, thawed
• 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 2 tsp. cornstarch

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
2. Wash and peel sweet potatoes. Chop into 1-inch pieces.
3. Add to a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until potatoes are very tender, about 12 to 15 minutes. Drain in a colander.
4. Return sweet potatoes to pot. Add milk, cinnamon, or nutmeg. Mash with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
5. Spray large pan with cooking spray. Add chopped onion and bell pepper and cook over medium-high heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add meat and thyme, cooking until done, about 5 more minutes.
6. Add vegetables, beef broth, and cornstarch, stirring to combine. Cook a few minutes until sauce has thickened. Remove from heat.
7. Add beef mixture into an 8- or 9-inch baking dish. Spread the sweet potatoes evenly on top of the beef and vegetables. Cook in oven until entirely heated, about 15 minutes.

Keep it healthy: Sweet potatoes are chock full of minerals and vitamins, making them a fabulous and healthy starch alternative.

Tip: 1 (14.4 oz.) bag of frozen pepper stir-fry can be substituted for the fresh onion and pepper.

Tip: Double the recipe for the mashed sweet potatoes and serve as a side for the next dinner.

Source: American Heart Association