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Vegan Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower-Millet Mash Crust

February 21, 2021 By Dianne 24 Comments

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Vegan Shepherd’s Pie in casserole dish with text overlay
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie with text overlay
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie with fork with text overlay

Vegan Shepherd’s Pie with text overlay

Beat the winter blues with this hearty Vegan Shepherd’s Pie! This recipe uses cauliflower-millet mash for the crust, rather than the traditional mashed potatoes, for a healthy twist. It’s the perfect comfort food dinner. This recipe is vegan and gluten-free.

casserole dish with vegetables

Traditional Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is a traditional Irish dish made with minced meat and topped with a mashed potato crust. Shepherd’s pie and cottage pie are pretty much the same dish, the only difference being the type of meat used. Years ago, it was a means of using leftover roasted meat, but in recent years, it’s come into it’s own as a hearty and filling comfort food dish.

 

Vegan Shepherd’s Pie overhead with slice and casserole dishVegan Shepherd’s Pie

It’s very easy to veganize shepherd’s pie using meaty beans in the filling. In this recipe, I’ve used toothsome lentils with a few mushrooms thrown in for good measure. Rather than a mashed potato crust, I’ve used cauliflower-millet mash. It looks similar, and it’s a great way of sneaking extra veggies into your dish.

close up of slice of shepherds pie

This shepherd’s pie is a hearty dish that’s perfect for keeping you warm and cozy on a cold winter’s day. I like to make it on Sunday, so I have dinners for a few nights throughout the week, because there are always leftovers.

milletWhat is Millet?

Millet is small, round, grain about 2.5mm in diameter. Actually, it’s not really a grain, but rather a pseudocereal, which means it’s actually a seed that’s cooked the same way a grain would be. It originated in Africa and Asia.

Millet is high in protein, and it contains large amounts of fiber, B vitamins, calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and potassium. Some of its many health benefits include lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes, aiding in the prevention of heart disease, and reducing the risk of certain cancers.

fork in shepherds pieHealth Benefits of Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a cruicferous vegetable with many health benefits. It’s high in vitamins A and C, folic acid, antioxidants and fiber. Cauliflower is also loaded with phytonutrients, which are known for their anti-cancerous properties.  Some of the compounds in cauliflower are known to combat heart disease, fight inflammation, and boost brain health.  Cauliflower mixed with millet dish a big nutrient boost.

cooked lentils, cooked vegetables, cauliflower millet mash

How to Make Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

This recipe does take a little bit of time to put together, but the payoff is worth it!

  • First you make the topping. You start by boiling the water in a large pot. Then you add the millet, cauliflower, and salt. You reduce the heat, cover the pot, and allow it to simmer for about 30 minutes until the cauliflower is tender and the millet is cooked.
  • Then you transfer the mixture to a bowl and add the non-dairy milk, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and onion powder. You mash it all together until smooth and creamy. You can use an immersion blender or food processor to speed things up. If the mixture is dry, you can add more non-dairy milk,.
  • While the cauliflower and millet are cooking, you can begin to make the filling. You add lentils to water, bring to a boil, and cook until they are tender, about thirty minutes.
  • Then you sauté the onion for about 5 minutes. Next you add the garlic, mushrooms, carrots, and salt, and cook for another 10 minutes. Then you add the diced tomatoes, peas, and tomato paste, spices. You add lentils to the mixture once they are cooked.To assemble the pie you spread the vegetable mixture in a 13″ x 19″ casserole dish and then carefully top with the cauliflower millet mash. You can sprinkle the paprika on top for a little color, if you like. Cook cook your shepherd’s pie for 20 minutes, and then garnish it with the chopped parsley. 

assembling the shepherds pie

How to Customize Your Shepherd’s Pie

You can mix up your shepherd’s pie’s filling to suit your tastes.

  • Try kidney beans or black beans instead of lentils. Crumbled tempeh works well, too.
  • You can omit the mushrooms, if you don’t like them.
  • Diced carrots, sautéed green beans, and leafy greens can be added, if you like.
  • To speed things up, you can use two 15-ounce cans of cooked lentils rather than cook dry lentils.

slice of Vegan Shepherd’s Pie on plate with casserole dish in the background

casserole dish square
Print

Vegan Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower-Millet Mash Crust

Beat the winter blues with this hearty Vegan Shepherd’s Pie! This recipe uses cauliflower-millet mash for the crust, rather than the traditional mashed potatoes, for a healthy twist. 

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword vegan shepherd's pie
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Yields 8 servings
Calories 243 kcal
Author Dianne

Ingredients

For the Crust Cauliflower Millet Mash Topping

  • 3 cups water
  • 3 cups cauliflower florets
  • 1 cup millet
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup plain, unsweetened non-dairy milk
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

For the Filling

  • 3 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cup brown lentils rinse and picked over for stones
  • 1 teaspoon neutral-flavored vegetable oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 5 ounces button or crimini mushrooms sliced, about 8 or 10 mushrooms
  • 2 carrots sliced
  • Pinch sea salt
  • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes drained
  • 1 cup peas frozen or canned
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400° F.

Make the Topping

  1. Bring the cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add millet, cauliflower, and salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and allow to simmer for about 30 minutes until the cauliflower is tender and the millet is cooked.

  2. Transfer the cauliflower millet mixture to a bowl and add the non-dairy milk, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mash together until smooth and creamy with a potato masher, or process with an immersion blender. You can also use a food processor. Add more non-dairy milk, if needed.
  3. Add salt and pepper to taste and then fold in the chopped chives.

Make the Filling

  1. Add lentils to water, bring to a boil, and let cook until lentils are tender, about thirty minutes.

  2. While the lentils are cooking, sauté the onion in the oil over medium-high heat until they are translucent and begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, mushrooms, carrots, and salt, and cook for another 10 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes, peas, and tomato paste, spices. Add lentils to the mixture once they are cooked.

Assemble the Pie

  1. Spread the vegtable mixture in a 13" x 19" casserole dish and then carefully top with the cauliflower millet mash. Sprinkle the paprika on top. Cook for 20 minutes. Garnish with the chopped parsley.

casserole dish square

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like:

  • Roasted Mushroom and Caramelized Onion Shepherd’s Pie
  • Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes 
  • Greens Pie with Millet Amaranth Crust
  • Hoppin’ John Casserole

slice of shepherd's pie horizontal

Filed Under: Vegan Main Dish Recipes, Vegan Recipes Tagged With: carrots, cauliflower, diced tomatoes, lentils, millet, mushrooms, tomatoes

About Dianne

Dianne Wenz is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Vegan Lifestyle Coach, Plant-Based Diet Nutrition Specialist, and Plant-Based Chef, as well as the author of Truly Healthy Vegan Cookbook.

Previous Post: « Chickpea Peanut Stew
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Reader Interactions

   

Comments

  1. Mary Ellen @ VNutrition says

    February 27, 2017 at 9:54 AM

    I love your take on the topping! I’ve usually only seen mashed potatoes before!

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      February 27, 2017 at 1:07 PM

      Thank you, Mary Ellen!

      Reply
  2. Becky Striepe says

    February 27, 2017 at 11:28 AM

    Ooh I love this! We eat a lot of shepherd’s pie, and I like this idea for mixing it up a little bit from the traditional.

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      February 27, 2017 at 1:07 PM

      Thanks, Becky!

      Reply
  3. Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says

    February 27, 2017 at 11:15 PM

    Looks great, Dianne! I love how you gave this classic recipe a makeover.

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      February 28, 2017 at 3:22 PM

      Thank you, Amy!

      Reply
  4. Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says

    February 28, 2017 at 12:24 AM

    I’ve never had shepherds pie, but I love potatoes so I bet it’s delish! I love anything lentil, such a great little bean!

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      February 28, 2017 at 3:22 PM

      You definitely need to try it!

      Reply
  5. Jenn says

    February 28, 2017 at 4:35 PM

    I love this creative take on shepherds pie! That cauliflower millet mash sounds delicious!

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      February 28, 2017 at 5:11 PM

      Thank you, Jenn!

      Reply
  6. Mel | avirtualvegan.com says

    March 1, 2017 at 12:47 AM

    What a brilliant topping idea. I would never have thought to use millet and cauliflower together. I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      March 1, 2017 at 1:52 PM

      Thanks, Mel!

      Reply
  7. Sarah says

    March 2, 2017 at 1:14 AM

    The topping on this looks incredible! I’d never had a shepherd’s pie pre vegan, but now that I’m vegan I really enjoy them! Delicious!

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      March 2, 2017 at 10:24 AM

      Thanks, Sarah! I had never had one before I went vegan, either.

      Reply
  8. Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says

    March 2, 2017 at 10:41 PM

    That cauliflower topping has me drooling!!!

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      March 3, 2017 at 11:39 AM

      Thank you, Ceara!

      Reply
  9. Linda from Veganosity says

    March 3, 2017 at 8:28 AM

    An ovarian cyst stuck to your intestinal wall?! How in the heck did it get there?!! Yikes. I love shepherd’s pie. Your crust ingredients look amazing. This is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. Thanks, Dianne.

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      March 3, 2017 at 11:38 AM

      Yeah, it was not fun!! Enjoy the recipe!

      Reply
  10. The Vegan 8 says

    March 3, 2017 at 11:50 AM

    This looks soooo good Dianne and the epitome of comfort food! I wish I had a big plate in front of me right now! That crust sounds incredible.

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      March 6, 2017 at 2:49 PM

      Thank you, Brandi!

      Reply
  11. Alisa Fleming says

    March 4, 2017 at 12:39 PM

    Another fantastic way to use cauliflower! I love that you incorporated millet, too. It’s an under-appreciated grain with such a nice flavor and consistency.

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      March 6, 2017 at 2:48 PM

      Thank you, Alisa!

      Reply
  12. Helen Coetsee says

    July 23, 2020 at 12:42 AM

    I’ve been looking for recipes with Millet and am so happy to find this one!
    What is the purpose of the Nutritional yeast in the crust?
    What could I use as a substitute if you dont have it?
    Thankyou so much

    Reply
    • Dianne says

      July 26, 2020 at 2:34 PM

      I’m glad I was able to share something using millet for you! The nutritional yeast is there for flavor.

      Reply

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Dianne Wenz

Hi! I'm Dianne Wenz and I am a Holistic Health Coach, Vegan Lifestyle Coach, Plant-Based Diet Nutrition Specialist, Plant-Based Chef, and cookbook author. I offer group and individual nutrition and lifestyle coaching programs to people across the U.S., and I teach cooking classes in Northern New Jersey. Contact me today to learn more and to schedule a complimentary breakthrough session!

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