Shepherd's Pie with Ground Lamb and Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground lamb
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, oregano, rosemary, etc.)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground lamb and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is cooked through.
3. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir in the tomato paste, herbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1-2 minutes more, stirring constantly.
5. Add the cubed sweet potatoes and water. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Stir in the frozen peas and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
7. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
9. Serve warm.

Interesting Facts

• Shepherd's Pie is a traditional British dish that originated in the 1700s.
• The dish is named after the shepherds who often made the dish with whatever ingredients they had on hand.
• The dish is traditionally made with ground beef or lamb, but other meats such as chicken or turkey can be substituted.
• Sweet potatoes are a great addition to this dish, as they provide a delicious sweetness that balances the savory flavors of the ground meat and herbs.