This sweet potato shepherd’s pie is paleo, gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free. It’s made with three layers: ground beef, mixed vegetables, and topped with mashed sweet potato.

sweet potato shepherds pie in a glass casserole dish with a spatula.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Looking for a healthier twist on traditional shepherd’s pie? You can replace regular potatoes with sweet potatoes and add a layer of hidden vegetables!

I love this recipe because it creates a lot of leftovers. It’s perfect for the gloomy Winter days when you want comfort food that still feels healthy.

Sweet potato shepherds pie with corner cut out and spatula in the dish.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make the paleo shepherd’s pie:

Ground Beef Layer – The bottom layer consists of ground beef, tomato paste and spices.
Vegetable Layer – The vegetable layer is made up of diced carrots, zucchini, and butternut squash.
Sweet Potato Layer – The top layer is made with mashed sweet potatoes and a bit of butter (or coconut oil).
Spices – To season the shepherd’s pie you’ll need dried oregano, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt and ground pepper.

Recipe Tips

Use Extra Lean Ground Beef – Leaner ground beef will contain less fat and produce less grease while cooking.
Spray The Casserole Dish – Spray the casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. I like to use avocado oil spray.
Strain The Vegetables – The pulsed vegetables might produce a lot of excess juice. Add them to a kitchen towel, wrap tightly and squeeze the juice out over the sink before you sauté them.

slice of sweet potato shepherds pie on a plate with a fork.

How To Make Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Mash The Sweet Potatoes – Boil the peeled and chopped sweet potatoes until they’re soft. Drain the water from the pot. Add a bit of milk and butter and mash them with a hand mixer.
Puree The Vegetable Layer – Add the vegetables to a food processor and pulse until they’re chopped small. You can also do this by hand. Sautee them in a skillet for about 8 minutes. Add them to a bowl and set aside.
Ground Beef Layer – Mix the ground beef with tomato paste and spices in a bowl. Brown the beef in the frying pan (without the vegetables).
Assembly – Spray a large casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Add the cooked ground beef and spread it into a layer. Add the vegetable layer on top. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread the mashed sweet potato on top. Turn the oven to broil and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Looking down at the sweet potato shepherds pie with portions taken out of the casserole dish and a spatula inside.

More Ground Beef Dinner Recipes

Keto Vegetable Meatloaf – This meatloaf is made without breadcrumbs. Ground beef is paired with chopped vegetables, and an easy tomato sauce topping. This recipe is healthier than traditional meatloaf – it’s keto, paleo, and diabetic friendly.
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Ground Beef, Pears and Parmesan – a delicious all-in-one dinner.
Swedish Meatballs (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free) – Made with extra lean ground beef and a dairy-free, gluten-free gravy sauce that’s full of flavor.
Sweet and Sour Meatballs – A simple meatball recipe is paired with an easy and delicious sweet and sour sauce made with crushed pineapples as the base.