Description

This Vegan French Onion Shepherd’s Pie is a comforting, plant-based twist on the classic dish, featuring a rich caramelized onion and lentil filling topped with a creamy cauliflower-potato mash. It’s hearty, satisfying, and packed with umami flavors, making it the perfect dish for cozy dinners or meal prep. Plus, it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and easy to make ahead!

Ingredients

For the French Onion and Lentil Base:

2 tbsp olive oil
4 large onions, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup French green lentils, rinsed
2 tbsp sherry vinegar
2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
4 cups vegetable stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Cauliflower Potato Mash:

2 cups cauliflower florets
2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
2 cloves garlic, smashed
2 tbsp vegan butter
1/4 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For Assembly:

Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish
Drizzle of olive oil

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Instructions

Prepare the French Onion and Lentil Base:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until soft and caramelized (45-60 min). Deglaze with water if needed.
- Stir in garlic, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Mix in lentils, sherry vinegar, and tamari. Stir well.
- Pour in vegetable stock, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until lentils are tender (25-30 min). Remove bay leaf.
- Transfer mixture to a baking dish.
Prepare the Cauliflower Potato Mash:
- Boil cauliflower, potatoes, and garlic until tender (15-20 min). Drain and return to the pot.
- Add vegan butter, non-dairy milk, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper.
- Mash until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning.
Assemble and Bake:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread the mash evenly over the lentil mixture.
- Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with fresh thyme.
- Bake for 25 min, or until the top is lightly browned. Broil for 2-3 min for extra crispiness.
- Let sit for 5 min before serving.

Notes

For a cheesier topping, sprinkle vegan cheese before baking.
For a smoky flavor, add smoked paprika or a pinch of cayenne.
To save time, caramelize onions ahead of time and store in the fridge.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking, Stovetop