Another great holiday entertaining recipe for you! This French onion shepherd’s pie is a total knockout. Super comforting, hearty enough to serve as a plant-based main, make ahead-friendly, and just so flavourful from all of the caramelized onions. We top it with a creamy and satisfying cauliflower potato mash for a little extra vegetable goodness.
This recipe takes some extra time because of the caramelized onions. They’re combined with French lentils and other aromatics to form the base of this pie. Once all of that’s squared away (and you could definitely make the base portion several days in advance), we steam some cauliflower and potatoes and whip them up into fluffy clouds to dollop on top. This is about 2 hours of cooking when all is said and done, but that’s what holidays are all about, right? A little extra effort for all of your favourite people 🙂
I cooked all of these components, and even did the final bake on the pie itself, in pieces from the All-Clad Essentials Nonstick Set. While this post is supported by All-Clad, I have to say that I love cooking with these pans so much (and basically everything else that All-Clad makes). These pans have all the ease of nonstick (so much easier to clean), they can go straight from the stove to the oven, and they’re easy to store in your cabinets without getting scratched thanks to the tidy nesting capability. I’ve been working with All-Clad since the summer, and as someone who used to have a total mish mash of pots and pans, it definitely inspires cooking confidence to have all the right tools for the job.
With all that said, I hope that you give this cozy recipe a shot for your next gathering! If you’re in the throes of planning your holiday meals. Is it too early to get a Christmas tree? Asking for a friend 🙂 Have a great week!
FRENCH ONION SHEPHERD’S PIE WITH LENTILS & CREAMY CAULIFLOWER POTATO MASH
SERVES: 8-10
NOTES: You could do an all cauliflower mash if you’re avoiding potatoes. Just substitute another 4 cups of chopped florets and start with only half the amount of non-dairy milk. Add more as needed until you reach a creamy consistency.
-To make ahead: thoroughly cool the French onion/lentil base in your serving dish. Once cooled, cover the dish and store it in the fridge. Make the cauliflower potato mash and let it cool before storing in a separate sealable container in the fridge. On the day that you’re serving, evenly spread the cauliflower potato mash over the French onion filling. Drizzle the top with olive oil and bake in a 375 degree oven for 45 minutes.
FRENCH ONION & LENTIL FILLING:
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra
3 lbs yellow onions, peeled and sliced into half moons
sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon thyme leaves, minced
1 bay leaf
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 ½ cups French lentils, rinsed
1 ½ tablespoons sherry/balsamic vinegar
1 ½ tablespoons gluten-free tamari soy sauce
5 cups vegetable stock (plus extra)
CAULIFLOWER POTATO MASH:
2 cups water
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed
1 ½ lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
4 cups cauliflower florets (from approximately ½ a large head)
4 tablespoons vegan butter, room temperature
½ cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Heat a large (preferably nonstick) soup pot over medium heat. Pour in the olive oil and swirl it around. Add all of the sliced onions to the pot. You should hear a moderate sizzle. Saute the onions, stirring often, until they are just starting to soften on the edges. Then, lower the heat slightly. Keep cooking and stirring the onions occasionally until they are light golden brown, jammy, and super sweet. Not quite in the caramelized state, but getting there. This process will take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. Add splashes of water if the onions start to dry up/stick.
Increase the heat back to medium. Add the thyme, bay leaf, and garlic to the pot and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and stir. Cook for about one minute. Add the lentils to the pot and stir. Then, add the sherry vinegar and tamari to the pot. Scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Season everything with salt and pepper. Add the vegetable stock to the pot and stir once more. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and then cook until lentils are tender, about 25-30 minutes. There should be just enough liquid to surround the onions and lentils. Add more vegetable stock if necessary.
Remove the bay leaf from the pot and allow the French onion base to cool slightly before transferring to a large, oven-safe skillet or other baking dish. I used an All-Clad Essentials Nonstick 12-inch round skillet. Set aside.
Make the creamy cauliflower potato mash! Pour the water into a large soup pot (I used the All-Clad Essentials stock pot with steamer insert) and bring it up to a boil. Pop the smashed garlic cloves in the water. Place the potatoes and cauliflower either directly into the pot or in a steamer insert. Keep the water at a strong simmer and close a lid on top of the pot. Steam the cauliflower and potatoes until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 20 minutes.
Drain the vegetables and return them to the pot. You can keep the garlic or toss it, your choice! Add the vegan butter, non-dairy milk, nutritional yeast, and lots of salt and pepper. Using a hand masher, mash the cauliflower and potatoes until smooth and creamy. Adjust the seasoning if necessary and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Transfer the French onion and lentil base to an oven-safe skillet or other baking dish. I’ve used an All-Clad Essentials nonstick 12-inch skillet that is also oven-safe. Smooth the French onion and lentil base out. Then, dollop the creamy cauliflower and potato mash on top. Carefully spread the mash out over the surface of the French onion and lentil base. Drizzle the top of the mash with olive oil and some extra pinches of salt and pepper.
Bake the French onion shepherd’s pie for 25 minutes, or until bubbly and totally heated through. You can broil the top for extra browning if you like. Remove the pie from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving in shallow bowls.
This Cheesy Green Chile Pinto Bean recipe is cozy and flavorful. This delicious bean dish is a great one-pan vegetarian meal that can be enjoyed as a side or main course, with chips or corn tortillas and your favorite toppings. Each serving boasts 26 grams of protein, so you’ll feel satisfied for hours after eating.
Given how much I love beans and cheese, it’s a little surprising that I haven’t already posted a recipe like this one. These Cheesy Green Chile Pinto Beans are quick and easy to throw together while packing in tons of flavor. Enjoy them with tortilla chips or rice for a filling meal that’s high in protein and fiber.
Why You’ll Love These Cheesy Pinto Beans
Minimal Main Ingredients Needed – This recipe uses Pinto beans, canned green chile, and canned tomatoes. Cheese and spices are also needed, but if you have a stocked spice cabinet, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Made in One Pot – This recipe can be made in one pot with an oven-safe skillet. I used an enameled cast iron skillet to cook the bean mixture on the stove and then transferred it to the oven to melt the cheese at the end.
Versatile – I love having these green chile pinto beans on hand because they can be used in many different ways. I like to serve them as a side dish or enjoy them as a main with tortilla chips or corn tortillas. Add your favorite toppings or roll this filling into a burrito with some added rice.
Why Your Body Will Love These Green Chile Pinto Beans
Blood Sugar Regulation – Pinto beans are high in fiber and protein, giving them a low glycemic index. This means they digest slowly and don’t cause blood sugar levels to spike or rise too quickly. This makes pinto beans a healthy choice for people with diabetes who need to control their blood sugar levels more.
Heart Health – Beans contain a significant amount of soluble fiber, which helps decrease cholesterol absorption in the bloodstream. Lowering the “bad” cholesterol in the body can greatly reduce the chances of a stroke or heart attack.
Digestive Health – Beans are also high in insoluble fiber, which helps bulk up the digestive system and prevent constipation. The fiber in beans also acts as a prebiotic that feeds the good bacteria in the large intestine and carries out toxins in the system. Green chile also benefits digestion by increasing the production of gastric juices and improving nutrient absorption.
Cheesy Green Chile Pinto Bean Recipe Ingredients
Pinto Beans – I used three cans of pinto beans that I rinsed and drained. I love pinto beans in this recipe, but you can use any kind of beans you like.
Green Chile – I used two small cans of Hatch green chile. Fresh or frozen green chile is also great if you can get it. I like using the mild kind, but you can use whatever heat level you prefer.
Tomatoes – I used a can of fire-roasted tomatoes. I drained off most of the liquid and diced the tomatoes into pieces similar in size to the green chile (optional). Freshly diced tomatoes work great, too.
Spices – I seasoned these pinto beans with cumin, paprika, smoked paprika, granulated garlic, dried oregano, salt and pepper. If you don’t have these spices on hand, you can buy a packet of chili or fajita seasoning and use a Tablespoon or two.
Onion & Garlic – Fresh onion and garlic create a nice flavor base for this recipe and complement the other ingredients.
Cheese – I used pepper jack cheese because I love its flavor and wanted to add some extra heat. Regular Monterey jack, or even cheddar, also works. If making this dish vegan, use your favorite meltable vegan cheese.
How To Make Cheesy Pinto Beans
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Heat a large (oven-safe) skillet over medium heat and add the diced onion with a pinch of salt. Cook the onion until softened, 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the pinto beans, canned tomatoes, green chile, spices, and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine the ingredients completely. Let the mixture cook until heated and then simmer for about 5 minutes.
Next, add half of the shredded cheese and stir until melted. Evenly sprinkle the remaining half of the cheese on top of the pinto beans and place in the preheated oven until melted, 5-7 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before enjoying. Garnish with chopped cilantro and enjoy with tortilla chips or warm corn tortillas
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is already gluten-free.
Make this recipe vegan by using your favorite melty vegan cheese substitute.
Can I use black beans instead of pinto beans? Yes, any kind of beans can easily be subbed into this recipe.
What kind of cheese is best? I like using pepper jack in this recipe because of the heat it adds, but any cheese will do.
How should I enjoy this recipe? There are many ways to enjoy these pinto beans. I like to eat them with chips or warm corn tortillas. You can also make them into burritos or enjoy them as a side to scrambled eggs.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly? Yes, I suggest cooking the bean mixture on the stove, letting it cool completely, and then transferring it to a freezer-friendly container. Add the top layer of cheese, cover and secure, and freeze for up to three months.
How long do leftovers last? Leftovers should last about 4-5 days if stored in an airtight container.
Do you have a question I didn’t answer? Please ask me in the comment section below, and I will respond as soon as possible.
This Cheesy Green Chile Pinto Bean recipe is cozy and flavorful. These delicious beans are a great one pan vegetarian meal that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Serve as a side dish or as the main course, along side chips or corn tortillas, with your favorite toppings. Each serving boasts 26 grams of protein, so you’ll be satisfied for hours after eating.
Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 medium sized yellow onion, diced
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
3 (15 oz) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted tomatoes, I like to drain the liquid and then dice them up into small pieces
2 (4 oz) cans diced green chile, I used mild
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (8 oz) block pepper jack cheese, grated (divided)
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F. Heat a large (oven safe*) skillet over medium heat and add the diced onion, with a pinch of salt. Cook onion until softened, 3-4 minutes. Add in the minced garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Add in the pinto beans, canned tomatoes, green chile, spices and salt and pepper. Mix until everything is completely combined and let mixture cook until heated through and starting to simmer, about 5 minutes.
Next, add half of the shredded cheese in and stir until cheese is melted. Evenly sprinkle the remaining half of the cheese on top of the pinto beans and place in the pre-heated oven until cheese is melted, 5-7 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before enjoying. Garnish with chopped cilantro and enjoy with tortilla chips or warm corn tortillas
Notes
*If you don’t have an oven safe skillet, you can cook the mixture in a regular skillet and then transfer it to an oven safe dish to finish cooking.
You could also place a lid on the pan once you’ve sprinkled the top layer of cheese on and let it sit for a few minutes to hopefully melt the cheese, rather than placing the entire pan in the oven.
Prep Time: 25 mins
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