Renee's Kitchen Quest

Bring on the heat!
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

5/5 - (1 vote)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

 

Hello, my fellow foodie adventurers!

Today’s quest is a comforting triumph: Turkey Shepherd’s Pie! This beautiful, delicious recipe takes a classic comfort food and makes it healthy, served in single-serve Ramekin bowls brimming with goodness that the whole family will adore. You’ll love how light, savory lean ground turkey melds with vibrant veggies and fresh thyme, all spiced up with bold seasonings and crowned with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes—baked to golden perfection. It’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing dish that’s easy to forge, portioned perfectly for sharing, and packed with flavor that warms the soul. Picture this: a hearty filling topped with a golden potato crown, ready in individual ramekins for a tavern-worthy feast. Ready to wield your skillet and claim this treasure?

 

Ingredients You’ll Need (Quest Inventory)

    • 1 tbsp. olive oil (the golden flame)
    • 2 tsp minced garlic (the bold essence)
    • 1 fresh carrot, chopped (the orange sentinel)
    • 1 sweet onion, chopped (the humble village root)
    • 1 lb. ground turkey (the lean champion)
    • 1 tsp fresh thyme (a woodland whisper)
    • 2 tbsp. ketchup (the tangy tide)
    • 1 chicken bouillon cube (the savory charm)
    • 1 cup water (the clear spring)
    • 2 tbsp. flour (the thickening rune)
    • ½ cup frozen peas (verdant pearls)
    • ½ cup frozen corn (golden kernels)
    • ½ tsp salt (the seasoning rune)
    • ½ tsp black pepper (a shadow kiss)
    • ¼ tsp jalapeño salt (the fiery spark)
    • 1 tsp Cholula hot sauce (the spicy sting)
    • 4 servings instant mashed potatoes (the creamy crown)
    • 1 tbsp. Butter Buds (the buttery essence)
    • 1 cup skim milk (the light tide)
    • ⅓ cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded (golden loot)
    • 1 green onion, thinly sliced (verdant scouts)
    • Nonstick cooking spray (the light mist)

 

How To Forge Your Feast (Quest Steps)

    • Brew the Broth: In a small mixing bowl, dissolve 1 chicken bouillon cube in 1 cup water—set aside this savory elixir.
    • Ready the Forge: Preheat your oven to 425°F—your fiery hearth is primed!
    • Gather the Allies: Chop the 1 carrot and 1 sweet onion—your veggie companions are ready.
    • Sauté the Base: Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat—add 2 tsp minced garlic, the chopped carrots, and onions, and cook for 5 minutes until tender and fragrant.
    • Brown the Champion: Add the 1 lb. ground turkey and 1 tsp fresh thyme to the skillet—cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, for 5-7 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
    • Deepen the Flavor: Stir in 2 tbsp. ketchup and cook for 1-2 minutes until it lightly caramelizes, adding a sweet-tangy depth.
    • Thicken the Potion: Whisk 2 tbsp. flour into the chicken broth until smooth—pour into the skillet and cook for 2 minutes, stirring as it thickens into a hearty gravy.
    • Unite the Spoils: Stir in ½ cup frozen peas, ½ cup frozen corn, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ¼ tsp jalapeño salt, and 1 tsp Cholula—remove from heat and divide the mixture evenly among four 8 oz. ramekins.
    • Craft the Crown: Prepare the 4 servings of instant mashed potatoes according to package directions—mix in 1 tbsp. Butter Buds, 1 cup skim milk, ⅓ cup shredded cheddar, and 1 sliced green onion until creamy and united.
    • Assemble the Feast: Place the filled ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet—top each evenly with the cheesy mashed potatoes, spreading them into a smooth layer.
    • Bake the Glory: Lightly mist the tops with nonstick cooking spray—bake for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are lightly browned and golden.
    • Claim Your Feast: Serve hot from the oven—revel in this cozy, single-serve triumph!

Tips Tricks & Variations:

This Turkey Shepherd’s Pie is a comfort classic reborn, but every Kitchen Quest hero needs a few clever moves and twists to master the craft. Here’s how to wield your skills and remix this dish like a true flavor bard!

 

Cooking Tricks:

    • Veggie Prep: Chop the veggies ahead and store in the fridge—cuts your quest time when hunger strikes!
    • Potato Hack: Add a splash of extra milk to the potatoes—makes them extra creamy for spreading.
    • Turkey Boost: Cook the turkey mixture in advance and refrigerate—reheat and assemble for a faster forge.
    • Golden Crust: Broil the ramekins for the last 1-2 minutes—gives the potatoes an extra crispy crown!

 

Tasty Variations:

    • Spicy Skirmish: Double the Cholula or add red pepper flakes—ignite a fiercer flame for the bold!
    • Veggie Vault: Swap peas for green beans or add diced mushrooms—extra loot for your filling.
    • Cheese Quest: Trade cheddar for mozzarella or pepper jack—new molten banners to wave proudly.
    • Herb Twist: Mix rosemary or sage into the turkey—shifts the woodland whisper to new realms!
    • Potato Pact: Use mashed sweet potatoes instead—adds a sweet, golden twist to the crown.

 

If you missed it, swing back to my last post: Mexican Chicken & Rice Salad—a spicy quest to fuel your next adventure!

 

 

Turkey Shepherd's Pie

Renee
Light, savory lean ground turkey melds with vibrant veggies and fresh thyme, all spiced up with bold seasonings and crowned with creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes—baked to golden perfection.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 5
Calories 378 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 fresh carrot (chopped)
  • 1 sweet onion (chopped)
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 chicken bouillon cube
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp jalapeno salt
  • 1 tsp cholula
  • 4 servings instant mashed potatoes
  • 1 tbsp butter buds
  • 1 cup skim milk
  • 1/3 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese
  • 1 green onion (thinly sliced)
  • nonstick cooking spray

Instructions
 

  • To a small mixing bowl add the bouillon cube and 1 cup water.
  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Chop the veggies.
  • Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, carrots, and onions and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the turkey and thyme and continue to cook, breaking up with a spoon, until the turkey is cooked through and lightly browned.
  • Stir in the ketchup and cook until lightly caramelized.
  • Stir the flour together in the bowl with the chicken broth until smooth and then pour into the skillet.
  • Cook for about 2 minutes, stir in the peas, corn, and seasoning.
  • Remove from the heat and divide among four 8 oz ramekins.
  • Prepare instant potatoes according to package directions.
  • Mix in cheddar cheese, butter buds, and green onions.
  • Transfer the filled ramekins to a rimmed baking sheet and evenly top with the mashed poatoes.
  • Lightly mist with nonstick cooking spray and bake until the potatoes are lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
Keyword Healthy