Thanksgiving Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

If you’re looking to use every bit of your leftover Thanksgiving food in one simple meal, this is for you. 

Though traditional shepherd’s pies are made with lamb (hence the name), turkey is a delicious substitute in this quick and easy recipe that celebrates the best flavors of the holiday. Simple and riffable, you’ll be shocked at just how wonderful leftovers can taste. In fact, you might even enjoy this more than the Thanksgiving meal itself. 

Helpful Tips

Plan ahead–just a little bit. We have found that using a blend of frozen diced carrots, onions and peas is far simpler than prepping them ourselves (and frees up valuable fridge space). If you plan on making this over the holiday, we recommend adding a bag of frozen veggies to your Thanksgiving shopping list. 

Use what you have. That said, you do not have to use the vegetables in this recipe. If you have leftover brussels sprouts and green beans, throw those in. Half-and-half or dairy-free milk can be used in place of heavy cream. The name of the game is using stuff up, so swap anything reasonable with whatever you have to clear off your shelves.

Serve how you like. We recommend making and serving this in a large baking dish, as it is quick and doesn’t require much energy. However, you could absolutely make this in individual ramekins for a more personal dining experience. 

Get creative. We mentioned swapping ingredients above, but using what you have is just the tip of the iceberg. Throw in some sage, rosemary, or chives for an herbier flavor profile. Top with leftover fried onions for a crispy crunch. If you really want to go the extra mile, pipe the mashed potatoes on top for a more elegant finished product.