Sweet n' Healthy Blogger Recipe Contest

Sweet Potato Italian Herb Red Wine Ground Turkey Shepherd Pie

Serves: 6-8
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 20 minutes

Topping

Water, for boiling
5 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 T. unsalted butter
¼ c. cream cheese, softened
1 egg
½ t. salt
¼ t. cracked pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 scallions, sliced
¼ c. Italian parsley, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste


Filling


1 T. olive oil
2 ¼ lb. ground turkey
1 medium onion, chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. fresh thyme, minced
1 T. fresh oregano, minced
1 c. frozen peas, thawed
Salt and pepper, to taste


Sauce
¼ c. unsalted butter
2 T. flour
1/3 c. red wine
1 2/3 c. chicken broth
2 c. mozzarella, shredded
1 c. parmesan cheese, freshly grated


Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add sweet potatoes. Cook until tender about 20 minutes. Drain, transfer to a mixing bowl and add butter, cream cheese, egg, salt, pepper and garlic. Using a hand held mixer blend until smooth. Fold in scallions and parsley and set aside.


In the meantime for the filling heat oil over medium in a large skillet and add turkey. Cook until browned stirring often about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.


To same pan add onion and cook until light yellow about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in carrots and celery and continue to cook another 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme, oregano, peas, salt and pepper to taste and cook a minute more. Reduce heat to low and let simmer.


For sauce melt butter in a small sauce pan and whisk in flour to prevent lumps from forming. Let simmer for a few minutes for flour to cook. Slowly whisk in red wine again to prevent lumps from forming along with broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer a few minutes until slightly thickened.


Pour sauce into turkey mixture along with vegetables and stir to combine. Transfer to a large baking dish, then evenly spread mashed sweet potatoes over the top and sprinkle with both cheeses.


Bake about 1 hour until golden and bubbly. Broil the last few minutes of cooking for cheese to brown more if desired. Let cool about 5 to 10 minutes for sauce to set before serving.