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Easy Low Carb Shepherd’s Pie Recipe with Creamy Cauliflower Topping for Healthy Comfort Food

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A healthy, low-carb twist on classic shepherd’s pie featuring a savory ground beef filling topped with a creamy cauliflower mash, perfect for cozy dinners without the extra carbs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (85% lean preferred)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (150 g) diced carrots
  • 1 cup (150 g) diced celery
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets (about 5 cups / 600 g)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (or olive oil for dairy-free)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream or full-fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Place the cauliflower florets in a large pot of boiling salted water. Cook for about 10–12 minutes until very tender. Drain well and set aside.
  3. While cauliflower cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink (about 6–8 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Add chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery to the skillet. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until veggies are softened and fragrant.
  5. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Pour in beef broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 8–10 minutes until mixture thickens slightly and flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Transfer drained cauliflower to a food processor. Add butter, cream, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until ultra-smooth and creamy. If too thick, add a splash of cream or broth to loosen.
  7. Spread the meat filling evenly in your baking dish. Spoon the creamy cauliflower mash on top, smoothing it out with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Optionally, brush the top with melted butter or sprinkle extra Parmesan for a golden crust.
  8. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the topping is slightly golden and the filling bubbles around the edges.
  9. Let the shepherd’s pie rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil and heavy cream with coconut milk. Use a food processor for the creamiest cauliflower topping. Let the cauliflower drain well to avoid watery mash. Broil for last 2 minutes for a golden crust but watch closely to prevent burning. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: low carb, shepherd’s pie, cauliflower topping, healthy comfort food, ground beef, keto, paleo, gluten-free

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/easy-low-carb-shepherds-pie-recipe-with-creamy-cauliflower-topping-for-healthy-comfort-food/