Vegan Lentil Shepherd's Pie Recipe with Brown Lentils

Ingredients

• 2 ½ pounds Yukon gold potatoes (peeled and chopped)
• 1 ½ teaspoon salt (divided)
• 4 tablespoons vegan butter
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon pepper (divided)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion (diced)
• 3 carrots (diced)
• 3 celery stalks (diced)
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 ½ cups brown lentils
• 1 14.5 ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce