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    Home » Vegetarian Mains

    Vegetarian cottage pie with lentils

    Posted: Dec 5, 2019 · Updated: Oct 27, 2021 by Tonje

    122 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    This vegetarian cottage pie with lentils is a hearty, satiating meal, and the perfect option for a meatless dinner. We make a lovely lentil stew, and top it with fluffy mashed potatoes before cooking it in the oven until it's perfectly golden. Cottage pie is a very traditional dinner in the UK, and this vegetarian version is an excellent alternative

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    The ingredients

    We use the best savoury ingredients to make sure that nothing is missing from this delicious vegetarian cottage pie.

    • Good quality potatoes for mashing; I prefer Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes.
    • Cooked green lentils (cook them yourself with my Instant Pot Lentils recipe)
    • Vegetable stock or vegetarian beef stock
    • Timato paste
    • Onion
    • Garlic
    • Celery sticks
    • Carrots
    • Worcestershire sauce

    Vegetarian cottage pie in a green casserole dish. A wooden spoon has lifted some of the dish closer to the camera.

    Cottage pie vs shepherd's pie

    Cottage pie and shepherd's pie are similar in that they are casseroles consisting of a meat based sauce, covered with a layer of mashed potatoes. The difference is that shepherd's pie is made using minced lamb, and cottage pie uses minced beef. In this recipe we have removed the mince altogether, and opted for a vegetarian sauce based on cooked geen lentils. This vegetarian version has sometimes been called shepherdess pie.

    How to make cottage pie with lentils

    Preheat the oven to 210°C / 200°C fan oven / 410°F.

    Saute finely chopped onion and garlic in a pan until it's soft and translucent. Add finely chopped carrots and celery, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce and stock, and cook until the vegetables have softened, about 10 minutes. Add the lentils, stir it all to combine, then transfer the mixture to a casserole dish.

    Meanwhile, peel and dice potatoes, and boil them until soft. Drain off the water, and use a potato masher to mash them together. Add butter, salt and nutmeg, and optionally grated cheese. Spread the mashed potatoes on top of the lentil mix, and bake it in the oven until the top of the mashed potatoes are golden on the edges.

    Infographic showing How to make cottage pie with lentils.What to serve with a vegetarian cottage pie

    Cottage pie is often served as is. If you want to add a side dish, I can recommend roasted green beans or brussels sprouts with bacon. A simple green side salad will also suit cottage pie perfectly.

    Can you freeze leftover cottage pie?

    Cottage pie with lentils can be frozen for up for 3 months. I like to freeze it in portion sizes for easy dinners at a later point. You can also store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the cottage pie in the microwave or oven until piping hot throughout.

    Vegetarian cottage pie with lentils in a green casserole dish on a marble table.

    More hearty casserole dishes you'll love

    • Cauliflower rice and chicken casserole
    • Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie
    • Chicken and Chorizo Pie
    • Egg and sausage casserole {Keto}
    • Skinny Mexican casserole
    cottage pie in a casserole dish.

    Vegetarian cottage pie with lentils

    This vegetarian cottage pie with lentils is a hearty, satiating meal, and the perfect option for a meatless dinner. We make a lovely lentil stew, and top it with fluffy mashed potatoes before cooking it in the oven until it’s perfectly golden. Cottage pie is a very traditional dinner in the UK, and this vegetarian version is an excellent alternative
    4.84 from 6 votes
    Created by: Tonje
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Course Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine British
    Servings 4
    Calories 349 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 200 g cooked lentils
    • 200 ml vegetable stock
    • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 onion
    • 2 celery sticks
    • 3 medium carrots
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

    Mashed potatoes

    • 1 kg potatoes
    • 2 tablespoon butter
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 50 g cheddar cheese optional

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 210°C / 200°C fan oven / 410°F.
    • Saute finely chopped onion and garlic in a pan until it’s soft and translucent. Add finely chopped carrots and celery, tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce and stock, and cook until the vegetables have softened, about 10 minutes. Add the lentils, stir it all to combine, then transfer the mixture to a casserole dish.
    • Meanwhile, peel and dice potatoes, and boil them in water until soft. Drain off the water, and use a potato masher to mash them together. Add butter, salt and nutmeg, and optionally grated cheese. Spread the mashed potatoes on top of the lentil mix, and bake it in the oven until the top of the mashed potatoes are golden on the edges.

    Notes

    This recipe makes 4 large servings. If served with a side dish, the recipe makes enough for 6 servings of cottage pie.

    Use leftover vegetables

    This recipe is a perfect opportunity to use any leftover vegetables. Add cooked or finely diced raw vegetables to the dish along with the carrots and celery, and make sure they are cooked through before transferring the lentil sauce to the casserole dish.

    What to do with leftover cottage pie

    Cottage pie with lentils can be frozen for up for 3 months. I like to freeze it in portion sizes for easy dinners at a later point. You can also store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the cottage pie in the microwave or oven until piping hot throughout.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 349kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 14gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 487mgPotassium: 1539mgFiber: 12gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 7997IUVitamin C: 57mgCalcium: 165mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword carrot, celery, lentils, potatoes, vegetarian
    Tried this recipe?Mention @hintofhealthyfood or tag #hintofhealthy!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andrea Metlika

      January 17, 2020 at 5:46 pm

      5 stars
      I am a fan of lentils and this is a fantastic use of them. Looks delicious.

      Reply
      • Tonje

        January 17, 2020 at 5:47 pm

        Thanks, Andrea. Let me know if you try it! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Lauren

      January 17, 2020 at 5:48 pm

      4 stars
      Sounds delish! Can vegetable broth be used instead of beef stock so the recipe is 100 percent vegetarian?

      Reply
      • Tonje

        January 17, 2020 at 5:49 pm

        You can use any type of stock! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Jessica Formicola

      January 17, 2020 at 6:08 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for dinner last night and it was incredible! Everyone loved it and it will definitely be added to our regular rotation!

      Reply
      • Tonje

        January 17, 2020 at 6:12 pm

        That's amazing, Jessica! I'm glad you liked it!

        Reply
    4. Katie

      January 17, 2020 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      Love how hearty and healthy this is!

      Reply
      • Tonje

        January 17, 2020 at 8:25 pm

        It sure is! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Irina

      January 17, 2020 at 6:39 pm

      5 stars
      This cottage pie recipe sounds interesting, at least something new to me:) I will defensively give it a try this weekend. I might have some questions to ask while cooking:)

      Reply
      • Tonje

        January 17, 2020 at 8:25 pm

        Let me know how it goes!

        Reply
    6. Tracy Easson

      July 14, 2021 at 5:59 pm

      5 stars
      A favourite in our home, thank yooou ... delish and easy to follow instructions... thank you so much!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tonje! I make easy and healthy everyday recipes that your family will love. Browse my recipe collection to discover new favorites, and make sure to let me know what you think!

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