This Low-Carb Shepherd's Pie With Cauliflower Mash Topping is a classic comfort food that is filling, flavorful, and delicious. It features seasoned meat and sauteed veggies with a rich, comforting cauliflower mash topping that tastes just as good as the original variety!

Jump to:

• What is shepherd's pie?
• Frequently asked questions
• Easy instructions
• Storage instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• 💭 Top tips
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

This Keto Shepherd's Pie is a hearty, comforting, healthy dinner recipe that I know you'll love!

Instead of using a classic mashed potato topping, I use one of my favorite keto-friendly potato replacements - cauliflower!

It has all the flavor but without the carbs! And it's just as comforting as the original and sure to impress.

If you're looking for more gluten-free, low-carb classic comfort foods, I think you'll love this Low-Carb Bolognese With Spaghetti Squash, Paleo Carbonara, Paleo Sweet Potato Casserole, and Keto Chicken Pot Pie Soup!

Or Tessa Domestic Diva's Fajitas look delicious too!

What is shepherd's pie?

Shepherd's pie (and cottage pie!) are both traditional British casseroles that feature savory meat filled with sauteed veggies, then topped with mashed potatoes and baked to create a golden crust.

However, this low-carb version has all of the same fantastic flavor and texture as a traditional shepherd's (or cottage) pie, but without the excess carbs!

Frequently asked questions

Easy instructions

Cauliflower mash topping

Step #1: Chop up a head of cauliflower. Then, boil it until it's fork-tender.

Step #2: Turn off the heat and return it to the pot. Allow it to sit in the pot for a few minutes to eliminate any excess moisture.

Step #3: Add the cauliflower to the bowl of a food processor and add butter, salt, pepper, heavy cream, shredded cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, and egg yolk.

Taste and adjust the ingredients as needed, and add more butter and milk if the mixture is dry. Then, stir in the egg yolk, if using.

The filling

Step #1: Chop up an onion, celery, and carrot. Set aside.

💭Tip: Onions and carrots are higher-carb and not always considered keto. However, once distributed throughout the entire dish, the carbs are still low enough for this dish to be considered keto if using the cauliflower topping.

Step #2: In a cast-iron skillet or another large skillet of choice, sautee the chopped onion, celery, and carrots.

Step #3: Add the ground beef and garlic. Cook until browned, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Step #6: Drain the fat if desired. Then stir in tomato paste, frozen chopped green beans, salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, and Worcestershire sauce.

Step #7: Top the filling with the cauliflower mash and bake.

Bake

Step #1: If you're not using an oven-proof skillet, transfer the meat mixture to a medium-sized baking dish. Then, scoop the topping over the meat mixture and smooth with the back of a spoon.

Step #2: Place the oven rack on the top ⅓ of the oven and bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes until the keto shepherd's pie is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

Storage instructions

• Store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
• Freeze: Keto shepherd's pie can be frozen for up to 3 months.
• To reheat: Reheat in a 350-degree oven until heated through. If frozen, allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Substitutions

• For Paleo & Whole30: Use ghee instead of butter, full-fat canned coconut milk instead of heavy cream, nutritional yeast instead of shredded cheese, and compliant BBQ sauce instead of Worcheshire.
• Feel free to change up and swap the veggies! Sauteed green bell pepper and mushrooms would be a great addition!
• If you don’t mind a bit higher carb count, you can use frozen peas, which are a traditional ingredient. Add them alongside the green beans instead of sauteing with the carrot, onion, and celery.

Variations

If you are paleo and whole30 but not low-carb, here are instructions to make a classic topping with potatoes:

1. Follow the instructions on this post on how to boil potatoes, or do the following: Peel and roughly chop three large or four small russet potatoes and place them in a large pot.
2. Cover the potatoes with water and bring to a boil.
3. Boil for 10 to 15 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot.
4. Add the remaining topping ingredients and beat with a hand-held mixer until smooth.
5. Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding more butter and cream to moisten as needed.

💭 Top tips

• While the egg yolk is optional, I highly recommend it! It adds a rich creaminess to the topping, helps hold it together, and creates an ideal texture.
• I don't recommend skipping the shredded cheese (or nutritional yeast)! The cauliflower topping is well... a little bland without it.

If you’ve tried this Keto Low-Carb Shepherd's Pie Recipe or any other recipe on the blog, please let me know in the comments below!

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📖 Recipe