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Spiced Vegan Cottage Pie with Sweet Potato Mash Recipe

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3.9 from 21 reviews

This Spiced Vegan Cottage Pie with Sweet Potato Mash is a comforting and hearty plant-based dish perfect for cozy dinners. Featuring a savory lentil and vegetable filling infused with warm spices like cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika, topped with a creamy, flavorful sweet potato mash enriched with vegan margarine, miso paste, and nutritional yeast. Baked until golden and bubbling, this recipe serves 8 and offers a deliciously nutritious alternative to traditional cottage pie.

Ingredients

Filling

  • 3 tbsp olive oil (approx. 42g)
  • 4 medium yellow onions, diced (approx. 600g)
  • 4 stalks celery, finely sliced (approx. 280g)
  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and diced (approx. 400g)
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced (approx. 18g)
  • 3 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 2 14 oz cans brown lentils, drained and rinsed (approx. 800g total, 480g drained)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste (approx. 30g)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (approx. 30mL)
  • 3 ½ cups vegetable broth (approx. 830mL)
  • 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes (approx. 800g total)

Sweet Potato Mash

  • 1.5 kg sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 3 tbsp vegan margarine (approx. 42g)
  • 2 tbsp white miso paste (approx. 30g)
  • ½ cup nutritional yeast (approx. 20g)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened soy milk (approx. 60mL)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Olive oil, for drizzling or spraying

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 360°F (regular bake). If you have a fan-assisted oven, reduce the temperature to 340°F to avoid over-baking.
  2. Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions, celery, and carrots, cooking and stirring occasionally for 6–8 minutes until they soften and become fragrant.
  3. Add spices and garlic: Stir in minced garlic, ground cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and garam masala. Cook for another 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly to release their aromas.
  4. Add lentils and seasonings: Mix in the drained lentils, tomato paste, and soy sauce. Cook for 1–2 minutes, ensuring the lentils are thoroughly coated with the spices and tomato paste.
  5. Simmer with liquids and tomatoes: Pour in the hot vegetable broth and diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the filling thickens and reduces.
  6. Cook sweet potatoes: While the filling simmers, place chopped sweet potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold salted water, and bring to a boil. Boil for 10–12 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork, then drain well.
  7. Mash sweet potatoes: Return drained sweet potatoes to the pot and mash thoroughly with vegan margarine, white miso paste, nutritional yeast, and unsweetened soy milk. Season with salt to taste and mash until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
  8. Assemble the pie: If using a Dutch oven, spread the sweet potato mash directly over the lentil filling. If your filling is in a skillet, transfer the lentil mixture to a large oven-safe baking dish first. Smooth the top of the mash with a spatula, then create texture by running a fork across the surface.
  9. Prepare for baking: Drizzle or lightly spray olive oil over the top of the sweet potato layer and sprinkle with a pinch of salt to enhance browning and flavor.
  10. Bake: Place the assembled pie in the oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the top develops a golden color and the filling bubbles around the edges.
  11. Rest and serve: Remove from oven and let the pie sit for 5–10 minutes to set. Serve warm. Store leftovers in the refrigerator and consume within 4 days.

Notes

  • This recipe is vegan and naturally gluten-free if gluten-free soy sauce is used.
  • You can substitute brown lentils with green lentils if preferred.
  • White miso paste adds umami depth, but you can omit or replace it with a teaspoon of soy sauce if unavailable.
  • Use a Dutch oven if you have one as it allows you to cook and bake in the same pot, making cleanup easier.
  • Adjust spices according to your taste preference; for a milder version, reduce garam masala and smoked paprika.
  • Sweet potato mash can be made smoother by adding a splash more soy milk if desired.
  • Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/spiced-vegan-cottage-pie-with-sweet-potato-mash-recipe/