5-Ingredient Dump-and-Bake Turkey Shepherd's Pie

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5 from 1 vote

5-Ingredient Dump-and-Bake Turkey Shepherd's Pie

Pull together this healthy Dump-and-Bake Turkey Shepherd's Pie with just 5 ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep!

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword leftover turkey recipes, Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes, Turkey Shepherd's Pie

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Resting Time 10

Total Time 30

Servings people

Calories 287kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

2 ½ - 3 cups cooked, diced (or shredded) turkey (can substitute with an equal amount of chicken)
1 (10 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables, thawed (about 2 cups)
1 (12 ounce) jar turkey or chicken gravy (or about 1 ½ cups of homemade gravy) I used a jar of fat free turkey gravy, but any similar variety will work
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced
1 (32 ounce) family-size package refrigerated mashed potatoes (or about 3 ½ cups of homemade mashed potatoes)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
In the prepared dish (or in a separate bowl), stir together turkey, vegetables, gravy and thyme.
Top with the mashed potatoes, starting around the edges to create a seal to prevent the filling from bubbling up. Smooth with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and place the dish on top (this will help to catch any drips).
Bake for 25 minutes, or just until the potatoes begin to brown. Remove to a cooling rack and allow the dish to rest for at least 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Can Turkey Shepherd's Pie be made in advance?

Absolutely! This is a great make ahead dinner recipe! Just assemble the dish as instructed and keep in the refrigerator until ready to bake (up to overnight). You can also freeze the assembled casserole before baking to enjoy at a later date. It's a great freezer meal!

Can you cook Turkey Shepherd's Pie from frozen?

Yes! It just takes a lot longer! You can thaw a frozen shepherd's pie in the refrigerator overnight, and then proceed with baking the thawed casserole as instructed per the recipe. Alternatively, to cook from frozen, cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 1½ hrs. Increase oven to 425 degrees F, uncover and cook for about 20 more minutes, until golden and bubbling.

Recipe Variations and Cook's Tips:

Swap out the diced turkey and use diced, cooked chicken (such as a store-bought rotisserie chicken) or even cooked, ground beef, ground lamb, ground chicken or ground turkey (you will need about 2 lbs. of raw ground meat to equal about 3 cups of cooked meat).
Pick your family's favorite vegetables! I use a frozen mixed vegetable blend that includes corn, green beans, peas, and carrots. If your family prefers just peas, or just peas and carrots, for example, use those instead!
If your kids love cheese, try sprinkling some grated cheese over top of the potatoes before the dish goes in the oven.
Lighten Up! With a fat-free turkey gravy and chopped turkey breast, this is already a very healthy dinner. To make your healthy shepherd's pie even healthier, feel free to swap out the mashed potatoes with an equal amount of cauliflower mash. You'll need about 3 1/2 cups of cauliflower mash to replace the potatoes. For a shortcut, try using frozen mashed cauliflower that has been thawed (such as this version by Green Giant).

What goes with Turkey Shepherd's Pie?

With meat, vegetables, and starch, this is already a complete meal! If you'd like to round out your supper with an additional option, try serving your Turkey Shepherd's Pie with:

additional cooked vegetables such as Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans, Oven-Roasted Broccoli, or Roasted Acorn Squash;
fresh, crisp greens in a salad like this Tossed Salad with Apple Butter Vinaigrette or this Fall Harvest Salad;
or dinner rolls, French bread for soaking up the gravy, or homemade 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits.

Nutrition