This Keto Low-Low Carb Shepherd's Pie is classic comfort food that is filling, flavorful, and delicious. Plus, it can be made whole30 and paleo-compliant!
This Keto Low-Carb Shepherd's Pie is a hearty, comforting dinner recipe that I just know you're going to love!
Instead of using a classic mashed potato topping, we're using 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.
Or, if you're whole30 and paleo but not low-carb, there are options in the recipe card to use a classic mashed potato topping 👍
Frequently asked questions
Traditional shepherd's pie is not keto, because it is traditionally topped with mashed potatoes, which are very high in carbs. However, in this recipe, we are using mashed cauliflower - my favorite low-carb potato replacement!
The egg yolk is optional but it adds a rich creaminess to the topping and helps hold it together.
Yes, it can with a few simple swaps! Simply use ghee in place of the butter (or dairy-free butter), full-fat canned coconut milk instead of heavy cream, nutritional yeast instead of shredded cheese, and use compliant BBQ sauce instead of Worcheshire.
While you can use non-dairy milk from a carton, canned coconut milk or heavy cream makes the topping extra rich and creamy. I recommend using Thai Kitchen, Native Forest, or Sprouts brands of coconut milk as others may lend an aftertaste.
Yes, simply replace the cauliflower with boiled potatoes. To cook the potatoes: Peel and roughly chop 3 large or 4 small russet potatoes and place them in a large pot. Cover the potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain the water and return the potatoes to the pot.
Easy instructions
Step 1: Prepare the cauliflower mash.
Start by chopping up a head of cauliflower and boiling it until it's fork-tender.
Then, turn off the heat and return it to the pot. Allow it to sit in the pot for a few minutes to get rid of any excess moisture.
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.
Step 2: Prepare the filling.
For the filling, start by chopping 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.
In an ovenproof skillet or another large skillet of choice, sautee the chopped onion, celery, and carrots.
Add the ground beef and garlic. Cook until browned, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Drain the fat if desired, then stir in tomato paste, frozen chopped green beans, salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, and Worchestershire sauce.
Step 3: Top the filling with the cauliflower mash and bake.
To bake
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.
Place the oven rack on the top ⅓ of the oven and bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the 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.
💭 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.
- For Paleo & Whole30: Use ghee in place of the butter, full-fat canned coconut milk instead of heavy cream, nutritional yeast instead of shredded cheese, and use compliant BBQ sauce instead of Worcheshire.
- If you prefer a classic mashed potato topping, follow the instructions in the notes of the recipe card.
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📖 Recipe
Keto Low-Carb Shepherd's Pie {Whole30 Options}
Ingredients
Topping
- 1 head Cauliflower
- Cold Water
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 1 tsp. Sea Salt
- ¼ tsp. Ground Pepper
- ¼ tsp. Garlic Powder
- ¼ tsp. Onion Powder
- ¼ cup Heavy Cream
- ¼ cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Egg Yolk - optional but recommended
Filling
- 2 tablespoon Avocado Oil - or oil of choice
- ½ cup Carrots - peeled and finely chopped (about 1 large or 2 medium carrots)
- ¼ cup Celery - finely chopped (about 2 medium celery stalks)
- 1 small Onion - finely chopped
- 2 lbs. Ground Beef - preferably grass-fed
- 2 cloves Garlic - minced
- 2 tsp. Tomato Paste
- ½ cup Chopped Green Beans or Peas - frozen
- 1 tsp. Salt
- ½ tsp. Ground Pepper
- ¼ tsp. Ground Thyme
- ½ tsp. Dried Oregano
- 1 tsp. Worchestershire Sauce
Instructions
Filling:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and place an oven rack in the top ⅓ of the oven.
- In an ovenproof skillet or another large skillet of choice, add 2 tablespoon of avocado oil and heat over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots. Saute until tender, around 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and garlic. Cook until browned, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain the fat if desired, then stir in tomato paste, frozen chopped green beans, salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, and Worchestershire sauce.
- 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. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
Cauliflower Mash:
- Remove the stem from cauliflower and cut the cauliflower head into about 8 pieces. Place the cauliflower pieces In a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Boil until cauliflower is fork-tender, about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Drain the water. Then, turn off the heat and return cauliflower to the pot. Allow it to sit in the pot for a few minutes to get rid of any excess moisture.
- Add the cauliflower to the bowl of a food processor, along with the butter, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, heavy cream, and shredded cheese. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust ingredients as desired. Then, add the egg yolk (if using) and process until smooth. Set aside.
Add Your Own Notes
Notes
- 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 cheese or nutritional yeast! The cauliflower topping is well... a little bland without it. Nutritional yeast is usually found in the spice aisle or in the supplement section of most health food stores.
- For a classic mashed potato topping, simply replace the cauliflower with boiled potatoes. To cook the potatoes: Peel and roughly chop 3 large or 4 small russet potatoes and place them in a large pot. Cover the potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain the water, add the potatoes to the food processor, and proceed with the recipe as written.
- For Paleo & Whole30: Use ghee in place of the butter, full-fat canned coconut milk instead of heavy cream, nutritional yeast instead of shredded cheese, and use compliant BBQ sauce instead of Worcheshire.
- For the full-fat canned coconut milk, I recommend using Thai Kitchen, Native Forest, or Sprouts brands, as others may lend an aftertaste. When coconut milk gets cold, it separates. If this happens, simply place it in a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until combined. While you can use non-dairy milk from a carton, canned coconut milk makes the topping extra rich and creamy.
Nutrition
NET CARBS = Total Carbs - Fiber
Nutritional information is approximate and may vary. Sugar alcohols are included in the total carbs and fiber.
Looking for more information on the keto diet? Check out my
Marla says
Hi Cassidy,
Thanks for sharing this wonderful, healthy recipe with us on Real Food Fridays. Shepherds pie seems to be a favorite dish of so many people.
Cassidy says
Thanks so much Marla!!! ...yeah, I've been having trouble with my twitter button and can't seem to get it fixed, sorry!?!