Are you looking for a delicious and hearty vegetarian meal that will satisfy your cravings for comfort food? Look no further than vegetarian cottage pie! This dish is a vegetarian twist on the classic British comfort food, shepherd's pie, and is the perfect combination of savoury vegetables and mashed potatoes.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
To make vegetarian cottage pie, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 can of lentils, drained and rinsed
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 cups mashed potatoes (homemade or store-bought)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent.
- Add the chopped carrots, celery, and red bell pepper to the skillet, and sauté for another 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the drained and rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and dried thyme to the skillet, and stir to combine.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the vegetable mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the vegetable mixture, making sure to cover the entire surface.
- Bake the vegetarian cottage pie for 25-30 minutes, until the mashed potatoes are lightly browned and the filling is heated through.
Nutritional Information
Vegetarian cottage pie is a relatively healthy and nutritious meal, as it is packed with vegetables and plant-based protein from the lentils. Here is a breakdown of the nutritional information for one serving (based on eight servings):
- Calories: 322
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fibre: 13g
- Protein: 13g
Fun Food Hacks
For a fun twist on traditional mashed potatoes, try adding roasted garlic or grated Parmesan cheese to your mashed potatoes before spreading them over the top of the vegetable mixture in the baking dish.
Additional Vegetables to Use
Feel free to experiment with different vegetables in your vegetarian cottage pie, depending on what you have on hand or what you prefer. Some other vegetables that could work well in this dish include mushrooms, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or green beans.
Substitution List
If you don't have all of the ingredients listed in the recipe, don't worry! You can easily make substitutions based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. For example:
- Instead of lentils, you could use chickpeas, black beans, or another type of canned or cooked legume.
- Instead of diced tomatoes, you could use tomato sauce or fresh tomatoes that have been chopped.
- Instead of Worcestershire sauce, you could use soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, or another type of savoury sauce.
Alternatives for Gluten-Free and Vegan Diets
If you need to make this recipe gluten-free, be sure to use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and double-check that your mashed potatoes are gluten-free as well. To make this recipe vegan, use vegan Worcestershire sauce or omit it altogether.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe makes approximately 6-8 servings, depending on the size of your baking dish and the portion size you prefer. Vegetarian cottage pie pairs well with a variety of side dishes, such as a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or a crusty loaf of bread. For a complete meal, consider serving vegetarian cottage pie alongside a glass of red wine or a refreshing beer. Enjoy!
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