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Spiced Vegan Cottage Pie with Sweet Potato Mash Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 148 reviews

This Spiced Vegan Cottage Pie with Sweet Potato Mash is a comforting and hearty plant-based dish featuring a richly seasoned lentil and vegetable filling topped with creamy, flavorful sweet potato mash. Infused with warm spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and garam masala, and enhanced with miso paste and nutritional yeast, this vegan twist on a traditional cottage pie is perfect for cozy dinners and packed with nutritious ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

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 Topping

  • 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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 360°F (regular bake, not fan-forced). If using a fan-assisted oven, reduce to 340°F to ensure even cooking without drying out the dish.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions, celery, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 6–8 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, forming the base of the filling.
  3. Add Spices and Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, and garam masala. Cook for another 1–2 minutes while stirring constantly, allowing the spices to bloom and infuse the mixture with flavor.
  4. Incorporate Lentils and Tomatoes: Add the drained lentils, tomato paste, and soy sauce to the vegetables. Cook for 1–2 minutes, coating the lentils evenly in the spiced mixture.
  5. Simmer Filling: Pour in the hot vegetable broth and canned diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Let it cook uncovered for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the filling thickens and the flavors meld together beautifully.
  6. Cook Sweet Potatoes: Meanwhile, place the chopped sweet potatoes into a large pot and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 10–12 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
  7. Mash Sweet Potatoes: Drain the sweet potatoes well and return them to the pot. Mash together with vegan margarine, white miso paste, nutritional yeast, and unsweetened soy milk. Season generously with salt to taste, mashing until creamy and smooth.
  8. Assemble the Pie: If using a Dutch oven, spread the sweet potato mash directly over the lentil filling. If cooking in a skillet, transfer the lentil mixture into a large oven-safe baking dish before topping with the mash. Smooth the surface with a spatula, then use a fork to create texture on top, which will crisp nicely during baking.
  9. Bake: Lightly drizzle or spray olive oil over the surface of the sweet potato mash and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges, signaling the dish is perfectly cooked.
  10. Rest and Serve: Allow the cottage pie to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld further and make it easier to slice. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

  • For a smoother mash, you can add more soy milk incrementally until desired consistency is reached.
  • Adjust the spice levels according to your preference; adding a pinch of chili powder can introduce a mild heat.
  • If you don’t have miso paste, you can substitute with soy sauce or omit, but it adds a lovely umami depth.
  • Use a fork to texture the mash topping as this helps it brown nicely while baking.
  • This recipe stores well and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • Ensure to rinse canned lentils to reduce sodium content.

Keywords: vegan cottage pie, sweet potato mash, lentil pie, plant-based comfort food, vegan dinner, healthy vegan recipe, spiced vegan casserole

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