Harissa Lamb and Sweet Potato Pie
A spiced lamb and sweet potato filling under a golden shortcrust lid, a cosy pie with a North African twist.
Made with Shortcrust pastry and Harissa paste. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 30
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.13 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium high heat and brown the lamb mince for 8 minutes, breaking it up, until no pink remains. Lift out and set aside, leaving any fat in the pan.
8 min - 2
Add the onion and carrots to the pan and cook for 8 minutes until soft. Stir in the cumin and your ready made harissa paste (see the base recipe) and cook for 1 minute.
8 min - 3
Return the lamb, add the sweet potato and tomatoes with 100 ml of water. Simmer for 20 minutes until the sweet potato is just tender and the sauce is thick. Season, then cool completely.
20 min - 4
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Spoon the cooled filling into a 1.5 litre pie dish.
- 5
On a floured surface, roll out your ready made shortcrust pastry (see the base recipe) to about 4 mm thick, 3 cm larger than the dish. Lay over the filling, trim and crimp the edges. Cut a small slit in the top and brush with beaten egg.
- 6
Bake for 30 minutes until the pastry is golden and the filling is steaming hot. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
30 min
Tips
- Let the filling cool fully before adding the pastry, or the pastry will go soggy.
- Make sure the filling is thick, not watery.
- A pie funnel in the middle supports the pastry and lets steam escape.
Storing and freezing
Cool and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through. The baked pie freezes for up to 2 months.
Questions
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Make the filling up to 2 days ahead and keep it chilled. Top with pastry and bake when ready, adding about 10 minutes.
Can I use beef mince?
Yes. Beef mince works well. The harissa and cumin flavour is the same.
Can I make it dairy free?
The pie itself is dairy free if your shortcrust pastry is made with dairy free spread or oil. Check the base recipe you use. Brush with oat milk instead of egg for a dairy free and egg-free glaze.
More made with shortcrust pastry
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.