Super Sleepy Sweet Potatoes


sweet potato shepherds pie

As I mentioned in a previous post, my roommate Emily gave up meat for Lent and we’ve been taking turns cooking for each other once or twice a week.

I get a lot of requests to show examples of actual meals I eat (as opposed to just the desserts); therefore I thought I’d post about our dinner last night.

For more examples of how I eat, see: My Non-Dessert Recipes.

sweet potato shepherds pie

Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie?

I initially wanted to make a real shepherd’s pie, topping my Bread-Free Vegan Stuffing recipe with mashed sweet potato and then baking. But life got busy, and there was no time for the extra baking step. So I settled on a “deconstructed” shepherd’s pie. It was so absolutely delicious that now I don’t think I’ll ever bother trying the longer version!

(Unpictured, I also had Ezekiel toast and a larger serving of the lentil filling.)

Sleepy Sweet Potatoes

(deconstructed Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie)

  • 1 medium onion, sliced (175g)
  • 1-2 cups spinach (I used 60g)
  • 2-4 carrots, cut into coins (I used 140g, but feel free to use more)
  • 1/2 can diced tomatoes
  • Optional: 1 zucchini, cut in coins (I used 280g, but I steamed 1/2 separately and mixed them in later.)
  • 1 stalk celery, cut into coins (I used 65g)
  • 1/2 cup to 1 cup cooked lentils, drained and mashed (I used 110g Westbrae)
  • 1 1/2 tsp dry basil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup water
  • 1-2 tbsp olive oil (You can omit this, but you’ll lose the yummy, buttery taste!)

Heat oil, then add carrots, zucchini, onion, and celery. Cook a few minutes (like 10), then add spinach, lentils, spices, and tomato. Cook 2 more minutes. Add the water, bring to a boil, then cover and lower to simmer for 45-50 minutes, or until the carrots are soft and stuffing is flavorful. Without the optional ingredients, this makes around 3 cups, or around 2 servings. Serve with rice, polenta, or roasted potatoes or yams.

sweet potato dinner

Meet Katie

Chocolate Covered Katie is one of the top 25 food websites in America, and Katie has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Fox, The Huffington Post, and ABC’s 5 O’clock News. Her favorite food is chocolate, and she believes in eating dessert every single day.

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99 Comments

  1. shannonmarie (rawdorable) says:

    I love this recipe. Yum!

    I used to be able to sleep through anything. Then, I had kids. I wake up all the time now.

  2. Bianca- Vegan Crunk says:

    That looks amazing! I’m pinning that! 🙂 I’m pretty sure I could sleep through an earthquake. Nothing bothers me once I’m out.

  3. Emilia says:

    These look delicious and delightfully easy to put together! I am a relatively light sleeper, music, alarms, knocks on the door they all wake me up. “Deconstructed” versions of things are always delicious, though please do share if you ever decide to make a full shepherd’s pie; it sounds really good 🙂

  4. Kelsey Hibberd says:

    This looks amazing, Katie! I will definitely be trying this 🙂

  5. Amber K says:

    I am the world’s lightest sleeper! I can’t sleep through a single thing. In fact, one time I spent the night at a friend’s house and couldn’t sleep because of a ticking clock. She swore the only one in the house was in the living room. I then proceeded to dig out everything from underneath her bed (which turned out to be a lot) and lo and behold, a ticking clock! I can hear anything….but only if I’m trying to sleep. 😉

  6. Maria Carolina Rueda says:

    It saddens me that people are so obsessed about what other people eat. You really shouldn’t have to prove yourself to anyone Katie! If you’re healthy and happy then that’s all that matters. People who ask all the time what you eat, how much you weigh, and accuse you of having an eating disorder probably have an eating disorder themselves. It really isn’t a good idea to give them answers to these invasive questions.
    Back to a more pleasant subject….this looks amazing I really need to buy a few sweet potatoes and give this a try. I usually only eat it roasted but I’m all for trying new things. Thanks for the recipe.
    P.S I gave up swearing for lent and it is extremely difficult.

    1. Chocolate-Covered Katie says:

      Oh I definitely agree… I’m posting more “meal” ideas not for the people trying to check up on me, but for the people who want to include more vegan meals in their diets but need inspiration ;).

  7. Shay A says:

    Hey Katie,

    I LOVE all of your recipes!!
    Do you have specific recipes that are low calorie? Which ones are they?
    Also do you have any good post-workout recipes 🙂

    I seriously get excited everytime I wake up because I know there will be a new recipe that you posted! You’re awesome!

    LOVE from one health nut to the other

    <3

    1. Chocolate-Covered Katie says:

      Hi Shay,
      Many of my recipes are (or can be) low-calorie, so I don’t have a specific tag for them. Same thing with post-workout… there are a ton that could fall into that category, depending on what you like to eat after working out 🙂

  8. Tash (Dairy Free Chick) says:

    I’m usually a super light sleeper, but something about rain and storms is comforting. I remember my 2nd grade teacher told us that thunder was giants walking (their steps were the thunder) around their garden (earth) and watering it (rain). Somehow that made it comforting, but now that I think about it… it’s kind of scary for 7 year old. haha

  9. Moni Meals says:

    What a perfect lil meal. I love sweet potatoes all the time and you stuffin it up… is so cute.

    I am a light light light sleeper and I do not like it! my husband on the other hand, not only hears nothing, but falls alseep in 4 mins flat. *sigh* I want to swtich!!

  10. Anna says:

    Deconstructed vegan shepherd’s pie is THE PERFECT dinner to make while working on my feminist theory essay! (Judith Butler, anyone?) This is on the menu tonight!