10 autumn shepherd’s pie for a change from the classic recipe

On the menu this evening, a layer of smooth and creamy mash, on a base of minced meat sautéed with onions, fresh from the oven. Behind this most basic combo hides a renowned classic of French cuisine: shepherd’s pie. Comforting, easy to make but also to keep, this recipe is a safe bet on a weeknight, or during a cozy weekend at home. But then, a question arises: where is the autumn in all this? Indeed, like autumn lasagna or purees, preparations that highlight seasonal products never go unnoticed in the kitchen. And in addition to being more tasty, economical or environmentally friendly, fruits and vegetables perfectly meet the nutritional needs of our body depending on the time of year.

How to make autumn shepherd’s pie?

Classic mashed potatoes can be enhanced (or even replaced) with butternut squash, sweet potato or cauliflower puree. Minced meat, for its part, comes in many ways, using carrots, mushrooms, spinach or broccoli. Some add lentils, or frozen peas (always to respect the seasonality of the products), while others abandon the beef for lamb, turkey or duck. Obviously nothing prevents you from opting for a vegetarian option by replacing the layer of ground meat with sautéed vegetables or mushrooms. For an extra touch of flavor, use the many spices whose earthy scents and colors perfectly complement the fall vegetables. Between cumin, nutmeg, cinnamon or cloves, your shepherd’s pie will be even better. Finally, just before going into the oven, is there really anything more addictive than a final layer of cheese that will come out all melted?

Ready to get into the kitchen? Here are 10 shepherd’s pie recipes that are all good.