Vegan Shepherd’s Pie

By OcadoLife
A plant-powered comfort classic, this Vegan Shepherd’s Pie is turbo-charged with slow-cooked veg to build bold, layered flavour. Sarah Bentley, founder of vegan cookery school Made In Hackney and author of We Cook…
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Time and servings

Total time
Servings
Prep time
Cooking time

Ingredients

19 total
  • 1.4kg maris piper potatoes, peeled and halved, or quartered if large
  • 250g cabbage, chopped
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large brown onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, finely chopped
  • 1 celery stick, finely sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed or grated
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 250g sliced mushrooms
  • 2 tbsp tomato purée
  • 1 tsp nutritional yeast, plus 1 tbsp
  • 1.4L low-salt vegetable stock, hot (check for gluten free)
  • 320g dried brown or green lentils
  • 2 tsp dried mixed herbs
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 250ml oat milk
  • 1 tbsp sunflower seeds
  • 5 walnuts
  • 1 tbsp milled flaxseed

Method

7 steps
  1. Step 1

    Put the potatoes in a large pan of water with a pinch of salt; bring to the boil. Simmer for 25 mins or until soft. Add the cabbage for the final 2-3 mins, then drain.

  2. Step 2

    Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic and cook for 5 mins. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and cook for 5 mins more, stirring regularly.

  3. Step 3

    Stir in the mushrooms and cook for another 5 mins, then add the tomato purée. Stir the 1 tsp nutritional yeast into the stock, then add 1.2L to the pan with the lentils, mixed herbs, bay and a grind of black pepper. Cover and cook for 20 mins.

  4. Step 4

    Drain the potatoes and cabbage, then return to the pan with the oat milk and remaining 2 tbsp oil. Mash well, then season to taste. Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7.

  5. Step 5

    Check the lentils. If they look a bit dry, add the remaining 200ml stock and cook for 8 mins. If a little thin, stir in 2 tbsp of the mash. Transfer to a baking dish; top with the mash.

  6. Step 6

    For the topping, blitz the sunflower seeds, walnuts, remaining 1 tbsp nutritional yeast and a pinch of black pepper in a high-speed blender to a chunky crumb. Tip into a bowl and mix with the flaxseed. Sprinkle over the mash.

  7. Step 7

    Bake for 20 mins or until golden. Chill leftovers for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.