Moroccan Shepherd’s Pie with Sweet Potato

* This recipe was originally published on my former site, Our Four Forks. Welcome!

Fun fact: before I started Loveleaf Co., I had another food blog called Our Four Forks. It was a total passion project that I worked on after work, nights and weekends because I was still working an office job. At the time, I was just getting into healthy eating and food photography was new to me, so it was the perfect platform to learn and experiment (… though looking back at the site now admittedly makes cringe a little. Some of those photos… yikes ;).

By FAR, the most popular recipe I created for Our Four Forks was this one: Moroccan shepherd’s pie with sweet potato. It has 82 glowing reviews on my old site and, if I do say so myself, really is worthy of the attention.

So! I’m finally bringing the recipe over to its new home, Loveleaf Co. With (much needed) updated photos and clearer instructions, but with the same great taste and flavor.

This Moroccan shepherd’s pie with sweet potato is slightly different than most Loveleaf Co. recipes because it takes a bit longer to make. It’s still easy (don’t worry), but there are a few more steps involved. I would file this recipe under “Sunday recipes” because it’s the perfect cozy dish to prepare (with a glass of red wine 😉 on a cold Sunday afternoon. The time it takes to make pays off: it serves 6-8, so you can enjoy it all week long (the leftovers are SO GOOD) or even freeze it and reheat in the oven.

What Is Shepherd’s Pie?

A shepherd’s pie is a traditional dish made with ground lamb and mashed potatoes. It is similar to a cottage pie, which is made with ground beef. Either beef or lamb will work in this recipe – the method is the same. The vegan version uses extra chickpeas, a classic Moroccan ingredient, instead of meat.

Both versions of this shepherd’s pie are full of Moroccan flavors: ginger, cumin, chili, garlic, hints of cinnamon and cilantro. The traditional white potato has been replaced with a creamy, whipped sweet potato mash; its slight sweetness goes perfectly with the Moroccan spices.

Is This Moroccan Shepherd’s Pie Healthy?

Yes! This Moroccan shepherd’s pie is gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo (if chickpeas are omitted). Sweet potatoes are super nutrient-dense because they’re high in vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, and magnesium. One serving of sweet potato  contains double the amount of the recommended amount of vitamin A.

Because of the tomatoes, chickpeas, and sweet potatoes, this recipe is full of fiber.

The Importance of Quality Meat

There is a lot of information out there about whether or not eating red meat is healthy or not. Many studies will say “no.” Others will say “yes.” I believe that red meat can be a healthful, nutrient-dense addition to any diet (even a superfood!) with one huge caveat: it has to be grass-fed and organic. You can read all about the importance of quality meat here.

For purchasing quality meat, in terms of mission and convenience, ButcherBox is my favorite option. They deliver 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef directly to your door on a monthly basis. Each box comes with a curated selection of cuts, sourced from a collection of small grass-fed farms, flash-frozen at the peak of freshness.

If you’re interested, there’s a special offer exclusive for Loveleaf Co. readers: FREE bacon, FREE shipping, and $15 off. Just click here to claim the deal!

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Can This Shepherd’s Pie Be Made Vegan or Paleo?

Make this Moroccan shepherd’s pie vegan by simply omitting the meat and adding an extra can of drained chickpeas to the recipe. Instructions are included below.

Make this recipe paleo by simply omitting the can of chickpeas in the meat version. Enjoy!

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