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Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Katie WellsJan 26, 2011Updated: Jan 3, 2020
Reading Time: 2 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Beef Recipes » Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Being of Irish/Scottish descent, the adjustment away from potatoes was a tough one! I used to make shepherd’s pie regularly every couple of weeks because it was easy and the kids loved it. When we first got rid of grains, potatoes, and sugars, I thought this was a recipe I would have to forget. Until a pregnancy induced craving prompted me to find a healthy alternative. I thought about using sweet potatoes, but then it dawned on me — cauliflower! I’d used this in place of mashed potatoes and rice before, so why not in this recipe? It was also a great way to sneak an extra vegetable in for the kids.

For those not familiar with it, shepherd’s/cottage pie is a meat and vegetable casserole with gravy, topped with mashed potato (or cauliflower), and baked in the oven. From my understanding, shepherd’s pie is made with lamb and cottage pie is made with beef or other meat. I’ve always used the terms interchangeably. This is an easy recipe to prepare ahead of time and heat up when you are ready to eat. The leftovers taste even better than the first night (unlike the potato version… I’ve never liked the texture of reheated potatoes).

Shepherds Pie

Shepherd's Pie Recipe

Katie Wells
Shepherd's pie with a cauliflower topping instead of the traditional potato topping to sneak in some extra vegetables.
4.46 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Course Main
Cuisine Irish
Servings 6 people
Calories 340 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 1½ tsp salt (divided)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp basil
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 bag frozen mixed vegetables
  • 2 heads cauliflower (or 3 bags frozen cauliflower)
  • 4 TBSP butter
  • 4 oz cream cheese (optional)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded, optional)

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet, cook the meat and onion until the meat is browned and cooked through.
  • Season with 1 teaspoon of the salt and the remaining spices and set aside.
  • Pour the frozen mixed veggies into the skillet and heat over low heat until warmed, removing from heat when done.
  • While the vegetables are heating, bring several cups of water in a large pot to a boil. 
  • Cut the cauliflower into florets and add it to the boiling water.
  • Cover and cook until soft enough to mash.
  • Remove the pot from the heat, drain the cauliflower, and add the butter, cream cheese, and remaining ½ teaspoon of salt.
  • Mash the cauliflower mixture with a hand blender to make it really smooth.
  • Return the browned meat and onions back to the skillet with the mixed veggies and mix in the egg.
  • Pour the meat/vegetable mixture into the bottom of 9x13 baking dish.
  • Spread the mashed cauliflower mixture over the top.
  • Bake at 350°F for approximately 30 minutes.
  • If using shredded cheese, sprinkle it over the top and bake 5 additional minutes until cheese is melted (optional).

Notes

If you like your shepherd's pie a little more "saucy" you can easily make a quick gravy with beef stock thickened with arrowroot.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cupsCalories: 340kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 17gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 932mgPotassium: 839mgFiber: 6gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 3145IUVitamin C: 98.7mgCalcium: 226mgIron: 2.3mg
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Category: Beef Recipes, Recipes

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (36 Comments)

  1. Connie Wilson

    March 21, 2014 at 10:20 PM

    Just made this tonight and it was SO yummy! Thanks for the awesome recipe:)

    Reply
  2. Karola Troidl

    January 9, 2014 at 1:08 PM

    Added some curry paste to the ground turkey! Amazing flavor!

    Reply
  3. Kesha

    February 13, 2013 at 12:28 AM

    This is GOOD STUFF. I didn’t have beef bouillon, and my husband doesn’t like cream cheese, so we left those out. Topped with Organic Valley raw milk sharp cheddar cheese. It will be going in my regular rotation–mashed cauliflower is wonderful! THANK YOU!

    Reply
  4. Maxine

    February 7, 2013 at 6:16 PM

    Made this tonight, A-MA-ZING! I used leftover prime rib roast cut into small chunks and a 750g bag of frozen mixed veggies. Can’t even really tell there’s no potatoes and still feels like a comfort food. Best part is, its husband approved…his words “this is better than regular shepards pie!”

    Reply
    • Heather

      June 10, 2021 at 5:07 PM

      Can this be assembled and freeze for later?

      Reply
  5. Sabrina

    April 2, 2012 at 12:09 AM

    I just made this tonight mainly for lunch tomorrow.   Soooo Yummy.  I did mix in an egg into the cauliflower mash and  it held together perfectly.  Bringing some for my coworker tomorrow.  This is my new favorite lowcarb site.  Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Mazaltaj

    December 2, 2011 at 12:09 PM

    I don’t buy/use frozen veggies, so wondering what the amount is in fresh? 

     Btw, I’m not easily inspired by recipes (lazy cook that I am), but this one is one I want to try!  Think I’m going to try the rutabaga/turnip strategy too, since they’re abundant (and less expensive than organic cauliflower) this time of year.  Great suggestion!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      December 2, 2011 at 1:14 PM

      It is usually a couple heads of cauliflower, or a few large turnips. Enjoy!

      Reply
      • Mazaltaj

        December 3, 2011 at 2:45 PM

        Thanks for replying, Wellness Mama, but I was referring to the other veggies, not the potato substitute ones.  

        Reply
        • Jane

          August 20, 2016 at 9:33 AM

          I know this is probably a year old, but I was also wondering that. I don’t like to use the frozen stuff either.

          Reply
  7. Desiree

    March 24, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Made this with mashed rutabaga! Turnips and rutabaga are my new favorite potato substitute, they are much fluffier than cauliflower when they’re mashed. YUM!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      March 24, 2011 at 3:24 PM

      Great idea! I’m going to try those! What a great way to incorporate some root veggies that most people don’t eat.

      Reply
    • Robin

      March 24, 2018 at 3:50 PM

      Omg that sounds so good! My step father was born and raised in Scotland and had to have rutabaga in his potatoes and Shepard’s pie (my mom had it down)! How do you make mashed potatoes with it? I haven’t had it since he passed several years ago!!

      Reply
  8. Amber

    March 17, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    Now that is interesting! I may just have to try sometime, although I’d probably have to try to keep the cauliflower a secret from my husband (who loves his taters) and I’m not sure it would work. Thanks for the idea.

    Reply
  9. Shuhan

    March 16, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    That sounds like a great idea (: I’ve served mashed cauliflower instead of potato with liver and onions too, makes for a less rich dish!

    I just did a shepherd’s pie with an Indian twist, and your twist on shepherd’s pie sounds yummy and light too! I’ll try that as a topping for pie next time (:

    Reply
  10. Audrey

    February 14, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    We had this tonight–yum! My kids approved too with helping after helping!! I used ricotta instead of cream chz ’cause I had it on hand, and that worked just fine.

    My husband (who’s had real deal in Ireland–lucky duck!) wished it had more textural difference…will work on that for next time 😀

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      February 14, 2011 at 11:33 PM

      Glad you liked it! Keep me posted if you find any improvements!

      Reply
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