Instant Pot Beef and Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie
A comforting, rich ground beef batch meal topped with smooth, savory sweet potato mash. Built for family dinner with plenty of leftovers, entirely free of gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, and added sugar.
Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Total
45 min
Makes
6 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Marie + Lila
Marie created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
Protein consistency
Make a nourishing habit easier
This is another practical opportunity to include protein and varied whole foods—small habits that are easier to repeat than a perfect diet.
Notice: protein across the day
Well-nourished skin
Support from the whole plate
Regular meals with enough protein, plants and fats support overall nourishment. Think consistency, not one miracle ingredient.
Notice: consistency + hydration
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Total
45 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Batch Cooking: This recipe makes 6 generous servings (perfect for a family of 5 plus lunch leftovers). Portion leftovers into airtight glass containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 10 steps complete
Next: Set a 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot…
- 01
Set a 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot…
Set a 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot to the High Sauté setting. Add 1 tbsp (15ml) of olive oil and let it warm for 1 minute.
Allow: 1 minute
Tap card to mark done - 02
Add 3 lbs (1360g) of ground beef
Add 3 lbs (1360g) of ground beef, 1 cup (150g) of diced yellow onion, and 1 cup (130g) of diced carrots to the pot. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking the meat into small bite-sized pieces with a wooden spoon, until the beef is browned and no pink remains.
Look for: the beef is browned and no pink remains
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Turn off the Sauté setting
Turn off the Sauté setting. Carefully drain excess fat from the pot if desired, leaving a small amount for flavor. Stir in 4 cloves (12g) of minced garlic, 2 tbsp (30g) of tomato paste, 1 tbsp (2g) of dried thyme, 1 tsp (2g) of onion powder, 1 tsp (6g) of fine sea salt, and 0.5 tsp (1g) of black pepper until combined.
Look for: combined
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Pour in 1
Pour in 1.5 cups (360ml) of gluten-free beef broth, scraping the bottom of the stainless steel pot with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits so the burn message is avoided.
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Carefully place 4 cups (520g) of peeled
Carefully place 4 cups (520g) of peeled, cubed sweet potatoes (cut into 1-inch / 2.5cm pieces) directly on top of the beef mixture in an even layer. Do not stir.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 06
Secure the Instant Pot lid
Secure the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on Manual/High Pressure for 8 minutes.
Allow: 8 minutes
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Allow the pressure to naturally release for…
When the cooking time ends, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release for any remaining steam. Remove the lid.
Allow: 10 minutes
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Scoop the softened sweet potato cubes into…
Using a slotted spoon, scoop the softened sweet potato cubes into a separate medium bowl. Add 1 tbsp (15ml) of olive oil to the sweet potatoes and mash with a hand masher until smooth and fluffy.
Look for: smooth and fluffy
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Stir 1 cup (150g) of frozen green…
Stir 1 cup (150g) of frozen green peas into the warm beef filling in the Instant Pot. Let sit uncovered for 3 minutes until the peas are heated through and bright green.
Look for: the peas are heated through and bright green
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Portion the savory beef and vegetable filling…
Portion the savory beef and vegetable filling into bowls and top each serving with a scoop of the mashed sweet potato. Serve warm.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
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