Low-Carb Shepherds Pie With Cauliflower Mash Topping
This keto 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!*See the post above on how to make it with a classic potato topping and/or how to make it paleo & whole30-friendly.
Course dairy free, gluten free, keto, Main Course, paleo, whole30
½cupCarrotspeeled and finely chopped (about 1 large or 2 medium carrots)
¼cupCeleryfinely chopped (about 2 medium celery stalks)
1smallOnionfinely chopped
2lbs.Ground Beefpreferably grass-fed
2clovesGarlicminced
2tsp.Tomato Paste
½cupChopped Green Beans or Peasfrozen
1tsp.Salt
½tsp.Ground Pepper
¼tsp.Ground Thyme
½tsp.Dried Oregano
1tsp.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.
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.
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 for paleo & whole30)! 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.
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.