Healthy Harvest Butternut Squash Shepherds Pie
This Healthy Harvest Shepherd’s Pie is a lighter, nutrient-packed twist on the classic comfort food. Made with lean ground turkey and loaded with sautéed vegetables, it’s topped with a silky layer of mashed butternut squash instead of traditional potatoes—bringing a naturally sweet flavor and a boost of vitamins A and C. Every bite is full of cozy, fall-inspired flavor without the heaviness. Perfect for family dinners, this dish is a wholesome way to enjoy comfort food while staying aligned with your health goals.
Healthy Harvest Butternut Squash Shepherds Pie
This Healthy Harvest Shepherd’s Pie is a lighter, nutrient-packed twist on the classic comfort food. Made with lean ground turkey and loaded with sautéed vegetables, it’s topped with a silky layer of mashed butternut squash instead of traditional potatoes—bringing a naturally sweet flavor and a boost of vitamins A and C. Every bite is full of cozy, fall-inspired flavor without the heaviness. Perfect for family dinners, this dish is a wholesome way to enjoy comfort food while staying aligned with your health goals.
Ingredients
Instructions
- If using fresh squash: (Move to step 2 if using frozen squash) Cut squash in half. Place squash cut side down in a large microwave-safe dish with 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook the squash in the microwave for 12 - 14 minutes, until the squash is soft. Set aside.
- Microwave squash and frozen mixed veggies, per package instructions.
- While veggies are cooking, bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat on the stove. Saute chopped onion and garlic.
- Add turkey, crumbled tofu (if using), and 1/2 tsp each of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to the skillet. Cook and crumble until the turkey is fully cooked, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make gravy (skip this step if using jarred gravy).
- Drain excess liquid from veggies and squash.
- Place drained squash in a shallow pan and mash until smooth, using a potato masher. Add remaining 1/2 tsp each of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Once turkey is cooked, top evenly with gravy, followed by mixed veggies and top with mashed squash.
- Cover and reheat for a few minutes on low heat (Alternately, you can bake in the oven at 400 until the topping is slightly crispy, about 15-20 minutes.) Enjoy!
Notes
Serving Tip:
I like to keep my carb load lower for my dinners, but I love serving this to my boys with a loaf of warm french bread and butter!
Prayer While You Prepare:
A Harvest Prayer for Moms
Lord, thank You for the sacred work of motherhood—the daily planting of love, patience, wisdom, and grace. Some days the fruit feels far away, but I cling to Your promise: “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
Help me remember that every small act of service and instruction matters, even when I don’t see instant results. May I not judge each day by the harvest I reap, but by the seeds I faithfully plant. Strengthen my heart, steady my words, and remind me that You are growing something beautiful in and through me. Amen.