Lentil Shepherd's Pie with Rice

Ingredients

For the Lentil Filling

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, medium, chopped
2 carrots, medium, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
3 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, vegan if preferred
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup frozen peas

For the Rice Topping

1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
2 cups water
2 tablespoons butter, or vegan butter
1/4 cup milk, or plant-based milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast, optional, for cheesy flavor

Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease an 8x8 inch or similar sized baking dish.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 375
2
Cook the rice: Combine the uncooked rice and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until all water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
⏱️ 25 min
3
While the rice cooks, prepare the lentil filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until vegetables begin to soften.
⏱️ 7 min
4
Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
5
Add the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until lentils are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
⏱️ 25 min
6
Stir in the frozen peas into the lentil mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until peas are heated through. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 3 min
7
Prepare the rice topping: To the cooked rice, add the butter, milk, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and nutritional yeast (if using). Mash with a potato masher or fork until smooth and creamy, similar to mashed potatoes.
⏱️ 5 min
8
Assemble the pie: Pour the lentil filling into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Carefully spoon the mashed rice topping over the lentil mixture, spreading it to cover completely. You can create decorative peaks with the back of a spoon or a fork.
⏱️ 5 min
9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375