A hearty vegan cottage pie made with a savory meaty mix of lentils and chickpeas and vegetables then topped fluffy mashed potatoes. Absolute perfection!
The flavor is spot on and the texture amazing. This recipe is nutritious and a perfect meal the whole family will love!
This post was originally published on March 22, 2021.
This post was sponsored by Yondu but the content and opinions expressed are fully my own.
This vegan cottage pie is basically the English equivalent to my Greek vegan moussaka. It's a labor of love but the end result is outstanding!
Ingredients
Cottage pie, AKA Shepherd's pie, is a casserole that traditionally is made of a base of ground meat mixed with veggies and a gravy, and topped with mashed potatoes.
Recreating a meat based dish with only vegan ingredients can be a challenge. However, I have captured the the flavor and texture of the classic comfort food dish in this recipe!
No meat, no diary, no problem! Making healthy cottage pie is possible with using only real plant based whole foods, here's what you need for this recipe:
- Mashed potatoes - make your own with russet potatoes or yukon gold potatoes. You can also use a storebought mix to make it super easy, just check the label to make sure it's plant based if you need it to be.
- Onion - a yellow, brown, or sweet onion is ideal. Avoid using red onions, their taste is stronger and can overwhelm the other flavors.
- Lentils - these offer some protein and fiber. Feel free to use all lentils instead of a blend of chickpeas and lentils.
- Chickpeas - another great plant based source of protein to recreate the meaty texture.
- Chopped walnuts - walnuts are a surprising meat substitute but it works so good! Their texture and flavor is excellent!
- Yondu umami seasoning (or sub Tamari/Soy sauce) - see below for more details on this seasoning.
- Peas - a classic in cottage pie, and also a good source of plant based protein.
- Carrots - adding extra nutrients and flavor, carrots are a must in this recipe!
- Garlic - freshly minced garlic cloves are best for the most incredible flavor, but you can also use jarred minced if needed.
- Seasonings - parsley and thyme give this recipe some excellent flavor. Depending on the broth you use, you may want to add in some sea salt and black pepper, but do this to taste.
- Veggie broth - make sure to find a low sodium option if needed.
- Tomato paste - critical for the rich, deep flavor you're after!
Yondu is a vegetable based liquid seasoning that you can use in place of salt in your recipes. It has a rich umami flavor, that it gets from fermented soybeans and a concentrated broth made from 8 vegetables.
I have been loving using it in so many things, including this lentil cottage pie! It is oil-free, so if you watch how much oil you consume, you can easily use this to sauté. It's also plant-based and gluten-free.
How To Make Vegan Cottage Pie
With just a few simple steps you can recreate the classic comfort food dish in less than an hour. This vegan cottage pie recipe even received the thumbs up by my English neighbors!
Here's what to do:
- Sauté onion, garlic, beans, walnuts, and herbs in olive oil or vegetable broth in a large skillet or pot.
- Add the broth, Yondu, and tomato paste and stir well.
- Bring to a boil and simmer until the beans begin to turn tender and the liquid is cooks off.
- Add the carrots, peas and more broth and cook until saucy.
- Spread mixture into a square casserole dish and top with mashed potatoes.
- Bake and enjoy!
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
What to Serve With Cottage Pie
This cottage pie with vegetables can serve as a complete meal on a busy weeknight, but is also great for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Anytime it pairs nicely with the following side dishes:
Preparation Tips
- You can use canned chickpeas instead of dried, soaked ones, but the texture will change a little.
- Yondu is a savory seasoning that brings out the richness in this dish. Start with 2 tablespoons and add more if needed. The amount you need will depend on the salt in the broth you use.
- If you do not have Yondu yet, you can sub soy sauce or Tamari, but you may need less. Start small and add more to taste.
- I suggest chopping the cottage pie filling mixture in a food processor before adding the corn and peas. You do not have to do this but it helps with texture.
- If you do not chop the mixture with a food processor, just make sure to break up the chickpeas into small pieces before adding in.
- You can also fill this cottage pie with vegetables by adding in extra veggies like mushrooms, peppers, or celery for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Make this healthy cottage pie oil free by using broth to sauté instead.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
- Mash the potatoes ahead of time, or use a mix to make it extra easy!
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can also freeze cottage pie with lentils. Place in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Freezing it unbaked is best. It can also be frozen after cooking.
- Potatoes run the risk of changing texture when frozen, so if you prefer wait to top with the mashed potatoes until you're ready to bake.
- You can either bake the frozen cottage pie covered in foil, or thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven for best results, or in the microwave to save some time!
Common Questions
Traditionally cottage pies are casseroles made with beef, while shepherd's pies are made with lamb. In more recent years shepherd's pie has become an umbrella term to mean a casserole made with a meat base with gravy, veggies, and a topping of mashed potatoes. This recipe omits all meat and uses plant based ingredients, so feel free to call it a vegan shepherd's pie or cottage pie, up to you!
The potato covered dish was popular with lower income people that lived in cottages in the UK.
Sauté the filling base, add in broth, seasonings, veggies, then mix in flour. Spread in a square baking dish, top with mashed potatoes, and bake.
The classic recipe features ground beef and vegetables cooked in a savory gravy topped with potatoes.
Since cottage pie is more of a hearty dish, I like to pair it with veggies like Brussels sprouts or a fresh salad like a crisp Caesar salad.
Yes you can. It's best to freeze it unbaked in an airtight container for up to 3 months. You can also freeze it once it's cooked, but the texture may change a bit.
More Vegan Comfort Food Recipes
Once this healthy vegan shepherd's pie recipe is gone try any of these healthy plant based meals:
Healthy Vegan Cottage Pie (With Vegetables)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 recipe mashed potatoes
- 1 ½ cup chopped sweet or yellow onion
- 2 cloves chopped garlic
- Drizzle of your favorite oil to sauté , or broth if oil free
- ½ cup dry lentils , green or brown (use more if not using chickpeas, see note)
- 1 ½ cup cooked chickpeas , drained and rinsed (optional, see note)
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 4 cups veggie broth , low sodium if needed
- 2-4 tablespoons Yondu umami seasoning , can sub soy sauce or Tamari (see note)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ½ cup chopped carrots
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F/ 205 C
- You can either chop the whole mixture in a food processor after cooking, or simply just chop the chickpeas and walnuts into smaller pieces using a food processor now. I prefer to do this because it’s easier to clean up.
- Sauté onion, garlic and salt with oil, or broth if oil free, over medium heat until onion is soft. About 5 minutes.
- Add the lentils, chickpeas, walnuts, parsley and thyme and saute until just browning. About 3-5 minutes.
- Add 2 cups of the broth, Yondu and tomato paste and cook covered for about 8-10 minutes. Don’t let it burn.
- If you opted to chop the entire mixture, then chop now in a food processor. Make sure to pulse slowly so it doesn’t turn into mush. It helps to do it in small batches. Add back to the pan when done.
- Add the carrots, peas and the rest of the broth into the pan and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated but it still has some sauce.
- Spread at the bottom of a square baking dish. Then top with the mashed potatoes.
- Bake for 25 minutes, until the top is browning at the edges.
- Allow to cool so it sets better and serve!
Notes
- You can use all lentils instead of both lentils and chickpeas. If you do this, use 1 cup lentils.
- You can chop the entire mixture, or just chop the walnuts and chickpeas. See directions.
- Yondu is a savory seasoning that brings out the richness in this dish. If you do not have it you can sub soy sauce or Tamari, but you may need less. Start with 2 tablespoons, taste and add more if needed.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Kathy
Made this for vegetarian guest last night. It was a hit, everyone had second and third helpings. I am allergic to peas so I substituted green beans cut short. And I love veggies so I added mushrooms as well. Love the additions to beans in the mashed potatoes. I do need to figure out a way to decorate the top - it wasn't all that attractive. Definitely one to make again.
Sophia DeSantis
I am so happy you liked it Kathy! Those additions sound delicious. Let me know what you do to make it pretty next time. You could broil it for a few minute to brown the potatoes, unfortunately potatoes are a little hard to make pretty haha!
Valerie Koyl
I am a little confused by the directions for making this recipe. Direction #2 says the whole mixture can be chopped after cooking. What mixture are you talking about? Direction #6 also talks about processing the entire mixture. However, in #1, it mentions just chopping the chickpeas and walnuts. What exactly needs chopping? The entire mixture or just the chickpeas and walnuts. In the picture, the lentils look whole, not chopped. Also, it doesn't say, but I am assuming lentils need to be cooked before putting into the recipe.
Sophia DeSantis
Hi Valerie, I give you the option to either chop the walnuts and chickpeas at the start Or not chop them at the start and instead chop the entire meat mixture after you make it. In direction 6, I am explaining to you that if you opted to chop the entire mixture (instead of JUST the walnuts and chickpeas as I direct you to do in direction 2) then chop the entire mixture now. If you did opt to only chop the walnuts and chickpeas in direction 2 then no need to chop again. The lentils look whole and not chopped because I did not opt to chop the entire mixture, just the walnuts and chickpeas (I explain in direction 2 that I choose this because clean up is easier). Also, no you do not cook the lentils. You use dry lentils as I state in the ingredients list. In direction 5 you add broth and cook which is what cooks the lentils.
Valerie Koyl
Ahh, thank you for replying to my comment. I made the recipe yesterday with cooked lentils and it was very good. I used frozen mixed vegetables, so I only added 2 cups of broth.
Sophia DeSantis
I am so happy to hear that you liked it! Thanks for letting us know how you made it, it's very helpful for others that may use cooked lentils and/or frozen vegetables.
marion
please can I just clarify your comments on original SHEPHERDS PIE, when you say it was made with ground lamb ,,,, but you dont say “ground left over Roast Lamb pieces that you grind through your mincer at home”. this is completely different texture and taste to a COTTAGE PIE that is made with mince meat from your butcher., and vegies from the Cottage Garden. thus the name !!! and no vegies are cooked in SHEPHERDS PIE, that would spoil the delicious texture of that meat ,,, so ,,, is there anything in vegan recipes that would resemble pieces of cold lamb to be minced ?!?! thanks for reading my concern ,, my comments go back to 1940’s when I helped my German Grandma turn the handle of her mincer, while she fed the pieces of roast lamb into it,,, In later years we added some pieces of Silverside or Pickled Leg of Mutton to it.,,, delicious,,,, do please try it,, it always only had mash potato on top,, no cheese - it was war time, foods were scarce !!!! lucky they did have their own sheep,,, and grew vegies if they could get the seed,,, Marion
Claudete
This recipe came out so good! I cook vegan for my daughter and usually don’t enjoy the “meat” dishes. This one is a keeper for sure.
I wish I could give it 10 stars!
The mashed potatoes are fabulous as well. I have made that many times. I Love the addition of white beans for extra protein.
Sophia is a genius!
veggiesdontbite
Yay!!! Thank you SO SO much! I am thrilled you love it!
Chelsee
This came out amazing!
Leah
This is a great recipe I haven’t been plant based for very long so as you can imagine I do still miss some of the meat recipes and shepherds pie is definitely one of them and I will say this plant based shepherds pie was every bit as good as the meat one and actually better than some of the meat shepherds pies that I’ve eaten. I did have to make some modifications because of the lack of ingredients so instead of carrots I added corn and then I put green beans and canned diced tomatoes. It was super delicious! Thanks for your awesome recipes!
veggiesdontbite
Wow Leah! I am so happy you liked it so much! What an awesome review!!