Beef Shepherds Pie with Cauliflower Mash (Printable)
Comforting ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy cauliflower mash for a lighter twist on the British classic.
# What You Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 1 celery stalk, diced
06 - 1 pound lean ground beef
07 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
08 - 1 cup beef broth (gluten-free if needed)
09 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free if needed)
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
12 - 1 cup frozen peas
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Cauliflower Mash
14 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
16 - 1/4 cup milk or cream (dairy or unsweetened non-dairy)
17 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
18 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How-To:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets and cook until tender, 10–12 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
04 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 6–8 minutes.
05 - Stir in tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Simmer for 8–10 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
06 - Add peas, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
07 - In a food processor or using a potato masher, blend cooked cauliflower with butter, milk, Parmesan (if using), salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
08 - Spread the beef mixture evenly in a 2-quart baking dish. Top with cauliflower mash, smoothing it out with a spatula.
09 - Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden. For extra browning, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Comfort food satisfaction without the heavy carb crash
- The cauliflower mash is genuinely creamy and rich, not just a pale imitation
- Perfect for meal prep and actually tastes better the next day
02 -
- Drain the cauliflower extremely thoroughly or the mash will be disappointingly thin
- The filling needs to be thicker than you think since it will loosen up slightly in the oven
- Broiling at the end is optional but creates that restaurant-style golden crust everyone loves
03 -
- Grate some extra cheese on top during the last 5 minutes for an incredible cheesy crust
- A pinch of smoked paprika in the mash adds subtle complexity most people can't quite identify