Healthy Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie (Technically Cottage Pie!)

This healthy shepherd’s pie (technically cottage pie!) uses ground beef, veggies, and a creamy sweet potato topping. Gluten-free & dairy-free friendly comfort food.

If you’re craving a warm, comforting meal that’s both nutrient-dense and family-approved, this Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie with ground beef and veggies is about to become a staple. It’s like shepherd’s pie meets a cozy fall casserole — but with a mineral-rich twist that supports hormone balance and energy.

This recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free friendly, making it perfect for anyone looking for a hearty, nourishing dinner without the heaviness of traditional casseroles.

💡 A quick note on naming: Traditionally, shepherd’s pie is made with lamb, while the beef version is technically called cottage pie. Since most people are more familiar with the term shepherd’s pie when it comes to beef, I’ve used that name here for easier recognition. But yes — if we’re being precise, this recipe is a cozy cottage pie with sweet potato topping.

🎥 Watch the Recipe in Action

I put together a quick reel walking you through this recipe step-by-step! Full disclosure: I filmed this during my period (hello, real life 👋), but that’s actually what makes this dish even more special — it’s loaded with nutrients that support your body during the menstrual phase.

Why This Recipe is Great for Your Menstrual Phase

If you’re into cycle syncing, you’ll love this:

• Sweet potatoes are rich in slow-digesting carbs and vitamin A, which can help support stable energy and replenish nutrients lost during menstruation.

• Beef and bone broth provide heme iron and zinc, helping to restore iron levels if you’re experiencing heavy bleeding.

• Coconut aminos + veggies bring in minerals and antioxidants to fight fatigue and support detox pathways.

When you’re on your period, your body craves grounding, nourishing meals — and this casserole checks every box.

Tips for Success

• Make ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready.

• Customize your veggies: Don’t be afraid to toss in mushrooms, corn, or zucchini for extra variety.

• Add protein variety: Swap ground beef for lamb or turkey depending on your taste (or hormone support needs).

Final Thoughts

This casserole is comfort food with purpose — warm, hearty, and designed to fuel your body through different phases of your cycle. Whether you’re deep into cycle syncing or just want a nutrient-dense dinner, it’s a dish worth bookmarking.

✨ If you try this recipe, make sure to tag me in your reel recreations so I can cheer you on in the kitchen!

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Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

This healthy shepherd’s pie (technically cottage pie!) uses ground beef, veggies, and a creamy sweet potato topping. Gluten-free & dairy-free friendly comfort food.

Servings: 4-6 Prep: 10 MIN Cook time: 40 MIN

Ingredients

Filling

• 1 white onion, diced

• 2 carrots, peeled and diced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 Tbsp tomato paste

• 1 lb ground beef

• ½ cup beef bone broth

• 4 Tbsp coconut aminos (or 2 Tbsp Worcestershire + 2 Tbsp coconut aminos for less sweetness)

• 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 Tbsp arrowroot flour + 1 Tbsp water (slurry)

• ½ cup frozen peas

• ½ cup frozen green beans (or other mixed veggies on hand)

Mashed Sweet Potato Topping

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 2 Tbsp grass-fed butter, ghee, or coconut oil

• ¼ cup milk of choice (dairy-free if preferred)

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ¼ tsp smoked paprika

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Optional: shredded cheese for topping

For Serving

• Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

1. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes

   • Place peeled, cubed sweet potatoes in a large pot of salted water.

   • Bring to a boil and cook 12–15 minutes, until fork tender.

   • Drain, then mash with butter (or oil), milk, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

2. Cook the Filling

   • Preheat oven to 375°F.

   • In a 12-inch oven-safe skillet (cast iron works well), sauté the onion in a little oil for 3–5 minutes until softened.

   • Add ground beef, garlic, and carrots. Cook 5–6 minutes, breaking up the beef, until browned.

   • Stir in tomato paste, coconut aminos (or Worcestershire + coconut aminos), Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 2–3 minutes to deepen flavor.

   • Add bone broth, slurry, peas, and green beans. Stir well and simmer 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens.

3. Assemble & Bake

   • Spread the mashed sweet potatoes evenly over the filling.

   • If using cheese, sprinkle on top.

   • Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, until lightly golden.

4. Serve

   • Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

✨ Notes & Tips

• For a smoother topping, whip the sweet potatoes with a hand mixer.

• Swap in ground turkey or lamb for variety.

• Make ahead: Assemble the shepherd’s pie, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake as directed.

Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets

Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets - childhood nostalgia in every crispy gluten free, fish battered bite! 

One of my fondest food memories as a child during the summertime was fried catfish! My brothers and uncle would spend the day fishing out on the lake and come home with catfish up to their ears! My mom would deep fry catfish filets and homemade hushpuppies and have coleslaw and tartar sauce on the side. It truly didn’t get any better than that! 

My childhood years were really the only time I ate fried catfish. So when I moved back south this past year, not only was I craving fried catfish, but the exact preparation on how my mother used to make it. 

With that being said, I am so thankful that the air fryer was created in my adult years because I am not quite sure how my thirty one year old body would react to deep fried foods again! 

Now that I have a healthier way to prepare this dish, I need the catfish! 

After one night of nighttime fishing out on Lake Hartwell, I caught my first 15 pound blue catfish! 

We put that bad boy on ice for three days (to help draw the blood out / gives it a less “fishy” taste), filet it, brined it and here we are in the recipe storyline. 

Now if “lake to table” isn’t your journey and you want more “frozen fish to table”, then that is okay too! When choosing a fish, neutral flavored and lean fish is the best way to go like bass, trout, tilapia, Alaskan cod, and halibut.

I have also included a paleo, keto, sugar-free and Whole 30 approved tartar sauce recipe that pairs perfectly with the catfish nuggets. 

And I promise you, even though these catfish nuggets are gluten-free and air fried vs deep fried and tartar sauce is made with cleaner ingredients, you will not be able to tell the difference! It is truly childhood nostalgia in every crispy fish battered bite! 

Want more seafood recipes, here is a list to get you started: shrimp and grits, air fryer honey mustard salmon, fresh and easy ceviche 2-ways, smoked sardine toast with radicchio salad and pickled onions, ahi poke bowl & stack, healthy salmon patties with lemon dill potato salad, grilled shrimp summer salad, and pecan crusted spiced salmon

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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Air Fryer Catfish Nuggets - childhood nostalgia in every crispy gluten free, fish battered bite! 

Servings: 9-12 | Prep Time: 1 hour | Cook Time: 7-10 min

Ingredients

• 3 lb prepared catfish filets

• 3 Tbsp creole seasoning

• 2 cups gluten free cornmeal

• 1 cup 1-to-1 gluten free baking flour

• ½ cup dijon mustard (or classic yellow mustard)

• Cooking oil spray (avocado, olive, or coconut)

Tartar Sauce

• ½ cup mayo (primal kitchen brand)

• 3 Tbsp dill relish or finely diced dill pickles

• 1 Tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp whole grain mustard

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to flavor

Garnish

Hot sauce, lemon wedge, fresh parsley

Directions

1. Cut your catfish filets into 2” nuggets. Lightly season catfish nuggets with salt and transfer to a resealable bag with mustard. Fully coat nuggets with mustard and allow to sit in the fridge for at least one hour. 

2. To make the tartar sauce: combine all ingredients into a bowl and stir well. Add any salt and pepper as needed, or additional diced pickles for a chunkier tartar sauce. 

   1. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate at least a half hour prior to serving to allow flavors to meld together.

3. To another large resealable bag, add the flour, cornmeal, and creole seasoning and mix well. 

4. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.

5. In batches of about 10-12 pieces, add catfish nuggets to the flour mix and shake to coat the catfish well. 

6. Place 10-12 pieces onto the air fryer rack (don’t overcrowd!) and spray the tops with cooking oil spray. Air fry for about 7 minutes total, flipping nuggets halfway and adding another coat of cooking spray.

Notes

• Don’t add too many catfish nuggets to the flour mixture at one time, or the pieces will not get coated well. Do it in stages. 

• Once the fried catfish nuggets are cooled completely, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in a resealable bag in the freezer for up to a month. 

  • To reheat, pop them in the air fryer on 400 degrees F for 3-4 minutes.

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