• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Veggie Ideas
  • Quiches, tarts and pastries
  • Recipe collections
  • Pulses
  • Nuts
  • Vegetables
  • Desserts
  • Biscuits
  • Cakes and snacks
  • Chocolate
  • Bread
  • Pasta and pasta sauces
  • Rice and quinoa
  • Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Soups and stews
  • Condiments and seasonings
  • Preserves and compotes
  • Vegan
  • Privacy Policy
  • Modern Sidebar
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Statement
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Quiches, tarts and pastries
  • Recipe collections
  • Pulses
  • Nuts
  • Vegetables
  • Desserts
  • Biscuits
  • Cakes and snacks
  • Chocolate
  • Bread
  • Pasta and pasta sauces
  • Rice and quinoa
  • Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Soups and stews
  • Condiments and seasonings
  • Preserves and compotes
  • Vegan
  • Privacy Policy
  • Modern Sidebar
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Statement
search icon
Homepage link
  • Quiches, tarts and pastries
  • Recipe collections
  • Pulses
  • Nuts
  • Vegetables
  • Desserts
  • Biscuits
  • Cakes and snacks
  • Chocolate
  • Bread
  • Pasta and pasta sauces
  • Rice and quinoa
  • Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Soups and stews
  • Condiments and seasonings
  • Preserves and compotes
  • Vegan
  • Privacy Policy
  • Modern Sidebar
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Statement
×
Home » Pulses

Vegetarian cottage pie

13/01/2021 by Judith 2 Comments

Vegetarian cottage pie, aka vegetarian shepherds pie or lentil cottage pie, is my meat free version of a traditional cottage pie. It has a vegetable and lentil pie filling topped with sliced potatoes and is easy to make.

Vegetarian cottage pie
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This veggie cottage pie is a tasty winter warmer and a perfect comfort food.

It is great for a family dinner served alongside your favourite vegetables such as roast sprouts or hasselback carrots.

Similar to veggie chilli and spicy bean burgers this recipe makes use of cheap ingredients making it a great budget meal.

The filling can be prepared in advance and can be made in bulk and frozen making it ideal for busy days or for when you don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen.

The quantities in this easy vegetarian cottage pie recipe are for four servings. I sometimes use half the filling to make a two serving cottage pie and freeze the other half to use another day. The photos here show a two portion version.

For a vegan cottage pie simply use a vegan cheese or brush the potato slices with a little olive oil before baking.

Vegetarian cottage pie ingredients

  • 1 large onion - either brown or red.
  • 1 sweet potato - medium sized. You could use carrots or swede instead.
  • 200g red lentils - red lentils add protein to this vegetarian dish and also help to thicken the pie filling.
  • One 400g tin chopped tomatoes - if your tin of tomatoes contains whole tomatoes simply chop with a knife before adding to the other ingredients.
  • 4 teaspoons oregano - I usually use dried oregano but if your have fresh oregano that could be used instead.
  • 4 teaspoons paprika - you could use either smoked or unsmoked paprika depending on your preference an what you have in your spice cupboard.
  • Vegetable stock - use sufficient vegetable stock to cook the lentils and vegetables. Add extra stock or water if needed while cooking.
  • Approximately 4 medium sized potatoes - cook enough potato slices to cover the pie filling. You may need to adjust the amount of potato for a different sized bowl or tin. If you have any left over potato slices they can be served alongside your meal or used in another recipe.
  • Salt and pepper - season to taste.
  • Dash of olive oil - use this to cook the onion and sweet potato before adding the other ingredients.
  • Cheddar cheese (optional) - Add to the top of the potato slices before baking your cottage pie. Use a vegan cheese suitable for melting in the oven if you wish to make a vegan cottage pie. If you do not wish to use cheese you could brush the potatoes with a little olive oil instead.

Equipment needed

No specialist equipment is need for this recipe but the following will be useful:

  • Sharp knife
  • Chopping board
  • Roasting dish
  • Kitchen scales
  • Teaspoons
  • Large spoon
  • Ovenproof dish (30cm by 20cm approx or equivalent size)
  • Grater for the cheese topping (optional)

How to make vegetarian cottage pie

Chop the onion and dice the sweet potato.

Heat the oil in a roasting dish. Add the onion and sweet potato and roast until soft.

Add the tomatoes, lentils, oregano, paprika, enough vegetable stock to cover, salt and pepper and stir. Simmer for around 30 minutes or until the lentils are cooked. Check regularly and add more vegetable stock or water if needed.

Cook the lentil and vegetable pie filling

Peel and slice the potatoes while the lentil mixture is cooking. Bring to the boil and simmer for a few minutes until partially cooked, and then drain.

When the lentil mixture is cooked, arrange the sliced potatoes on top making sure all parts of the mixture are covered. Add grated cheese over the cottage pie topping to help the potatoes turn golden.

For a vegan version use a vegan cheese or omit the cheese and brush olive oil over the sliced potatoes before cooking.

Vegetarian shepherds pie with lentils
Place the cooked lentil mixture in an ovenproof bowl, top with potatoes and grated cheese and bake

How to cook

Cook in the top of the oven at gas mark 6, 200oC, 400oF for about 30 to 40 minutes or until heated through and the top has browned.

Vegetarian cottage pie
Ready to serve!

Variations

  • A wide range of vegetables can be used to make this dish including carrots, peas, swede, runner beans, etc.
  • Add other pulses such as edamame beans or broad beans for extra protein.
  • Top your cottage pie with creamy mashed potatoes instead of sliced potatoes.
  • Add a topping of mashed sweet potatoes for a burst of colour.

Tips

  1. The pie filling can be cooked and stored in the fridge for a couple of days or can be frozen.
  2. Any leftovers can be covered with foil, stored in the fridge and reheated the next day.
  3. I sometimes use half the filling to make a two serving cottage pie and freeze the other half to save time another day. The photos here show a two portion version.
  4. The lentil mixture also makes a tasty topping for jacket potatoes. It is a good idea to freeze some in small quantities ready to use for jacket potato fillings.

Other vegetarian dinner ideas

Take a look at some other vegetarian recipes for main meals.

  • Slices of vegan nut roast on a slate
    Lentil nut roast (vegetarian nut roast)
    Cook Time1 Hours 35 Minutes
  • Cheese and spinach cannelloni
    Cheese and spinach cannelloni
    Cook Time2 Hours 18 Minutes
  • A close up view of Mediterranean vegetable stew.
    Mediterranean vegetable stew (ratatouille with beans)
    Cook Time45 Minutes
  • Vegetarian sausages
    Vegetarian sausages (apricot and nut sausages)
    Cook Time1 Hours 40 Minutes

Other budget meal ideas

  • Falafel
    Falafel (chick pea burgers)
    Cook Time36 Minutes
  • Spicy bean burgers
    Spicy bean burgers (veggie burgers)
    Cook Time35 Minutes
  • A bowl of lentil chilli with a spoon and garnish.
    Veggie chilli
    Cook Time55 Minutes
  • Sweet potato burger in a bread bun with garnish
    Sweet potato burgers
    Cook Time36 Minutes
Vegetarian shepherds pie

Vegetarian cottage pie (vegetarian shepherds pie)

Vegetarian cottage pie, aka vegetarian shepherds pie or lentil cottage pie, is my meat free version of a traditional cottage pie. It has a vegetable and lentil pie filling topped with sliced potatoes and is perfect for family meals. This easy vegetarian recipe is made using cheap ingredients and is full of flavour making it a winner on both fronts.  
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine British
Servings 4
Calories 1317 kcal

Equipment

  • 30cm by 20cm ovenproof dish

Ingredients
  

For the filling

  • 1 onion
  • 1 sweet potato (medium sized)
  • 200 g lentils
  • 400 g tinned chopped tomatoes
  • 3 teaspoon oregano
  • 4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 litre vegetable stock (approx)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper

For the topping

  • 4 potatoes (approx) medium sized
  • 1 tablespoon Cheddar cheese (grated)

Instructions
 

To prepare the cottage pie filling

  • Chop the onion and peel and dice the sweet potato.
  • Heat the oil in a roasting tin and roast the onion and sweet potato until soft.
  • Add the tomatoes, lentils, oregano, paprika, enough vegetable stock to cover, salt and pepper and stir. Simmer for about 30 minutes or until the lentils are cooked. Check regularly and add more vegetable stock or water if needed. 

To prepare the cottage pie topping

  • Peel and slice the potatoes while the lentil mixture is cooking.
  • Bring the sliced potatoes to the boil, simmer for a few minutes to partially cook, and then drain.

To assemble

  • Transfer the cooked lentil mixture to an ovenproof bowl (approx 18cm diameter or equivalent size).
  • Arrange the partially cooked sliced potatoes over the lentil mixture making sure that all parts are covered.
  • Sprinkle the grated Cheddar cheese evenly over the top.

To cook

  • Cook in the top of the oven at gas mark 6, 200°C, 400°F for around 30 to 40 minutes or until heated through and until the top has browned.

Notes

Variations
  1. A wide range of vegetables can be used to make this dish including carrots, peas, swede, runner beans, etc.
  2. Add other pulses such as edamame beans or broad beans for extra protein.
  3. Top your cottage pie with creamy mashed potatoes instead of sliced potatoes.
  4. Add a topping of mashed sweet potatoes for a burst of colour.
Tips
  1. The lentil pie filling can be cooked and stored in the fridge for a couple of days, or can be frozen. 
  2. Any leftovers can be covered with foil, stored in the fridge and reheated the next day.
  3. I sometimes use half the filling to make a two serving cottage pie and freeze the other half to to save time another day.  The photos here show a two portion version.
  4. For a vegan version use a vegan cheese or omit the cheese and brush olive oil over the sliced potatoes before cooking.
  5. The lentil mixture also makes a tasty topping for jacket potatoes. It is a good idea to freeze some in small quantities ready to use for a jacket potato filling.

Nutrition

Calories: 1317kcalCarbohydrates: 137gProtein: 33gFat: 68gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 42717mgPotassium: 1860mgFiber: 29gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 9204IUVitamin C: 57mgCalcium: 152mgIron: 8mg
Keyword Comfort food, Easy, lentils
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Pulses

  • A bowl of three bean chilli with a spoon.
    Three bean chilli
  • A beetroot burger in a bread bun with garnish.
    Beetroot burgers
  • A bowl of tomato, bean and pasta soup with spinach garnish.
    Tomato, bean and pasta soup
  • Broccoli and blue cheese risotto
    Broccoli and blue cheese risotto

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rich Tweedy

    May 30, 2024 at 11:42 pm

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe - delicious and easy to make. My wife doesn't like mashed potato so I was looking for a recipe with a sliced potato topping, and this was it! I used a combination of sweet potato, carrots and celery for the vegetable mixture, otherwise I followed the main recipe.

    Reply
    • Judith

      May 31, 2024 at 6:22 pm

      Hi Rich, I'm pleased you enjoyed this. I vary the vegetables too, depending on what I have to hand. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review 🙂

      Reply
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Veggie Ideas! I'm Judith and I created this site out of a love of good food, home cooking and a desire to share recipes so that others can enjoy them too. 

More about me →

Popular

  • Almond slices (frangipane slices)
    Almond slice recipe (frangipane cake slices)
    Cook Time2 Hours
  • Several chocolate quinoa bites on a white plate.
    Chocolate quinoa bites (no bake)
    Cook Time1 Hours
  • Honey flapjacks with fruit and nuts.
    Honey flapjacks with fruit and nuts (without golden syrup)
    Cook Time40 Minutes
  • A roll of several sheets of filo pastry.
    How to use filo pastry (tips and filo pastry recipes)

Seasonal recipes

  • Spanakopita spiral spinach and feta pie
    Spanakopita spiral (spinach and feta tart)
    Cook Time1 Hours 25 Minutes
  • A plate of pasta with scrambled eggs and asparagus.
    Pasta with eggs and asparagus (scrambled egg pasta)
    Cook Time30 Minutes
  • Hasselback carrots
    Hasselback carrots with honey and rosemary
    Cook Time55 Minutes
  • Asparagus quiche made using filo pastry.
    Asparagus quiche with filo pastry
    Cook Time1 Hours 25 Minutes

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Footer

↑ back to top

Copyright © 2025 Veggie Ideas

Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.