Low Carb Shepherd’s Pie

My Traditional Shepherd’s Pie recipe is one of our favorite comfort foods. You are probably familiar with this casserole made with a mixture of minced meat, vegetables, and gravy, topped with fluffy mashed potatoes. Shepherd’s pie with ground lamb is the most classic way to make the dish. However, since ground beef is typically more common and preferred in the United States, that is what I use in my Shepherd’s Pie, though it’s often called Cottage Pie as well.

Even when I crave a cozy and hearty meal, sometimes I also want something a little lighter. That’s why I reinvented my usual recipe to turn it into a low carb shepherd’s pie. Surprisingly, mashed cauliflower is actually a bigger hit in my house than mashed potatoes. Especially when I make loaded mashed cauliflower with bacon or a cheesy mashed cauliflower casserole. So I knew we would all love shepherd’s pie with cauliflower mash.

Keto Shepherd’s Pie Puts a Low Carb Twist on Comfort Food

Here’s why you’ll want to dig into this dish as much as we do…

• Classic made lighter. A few simple swaps and adjustments from my original recipe cut the carbs from over 30 grams per serving to around 10 grams per serving. And there’s definitely more veggies in there, which is always a bonus.
• Works for everyone. The familiar flavors will appeal to the entire family. Those who are looking for a keto meal can enjoy the dish on its own or with a low carb side, while others can add Gluten Free Irish Soda Bread or Smashed Potatoes.
• Simple ingredients. You don’t need any specialty items to make this dish, plus all of the ingredients are naturally gluten free.

Recipe Ingredients

• Cauliflower – once it’s steamed and mashed, it replaces the traditional potatoes.
• Greek yogurt – nonfat, low fat, or whole milk yogurt is all fine to use. You can also swap in sour cream.
• Egg – helps to bind the cauliflower mash so it isn’t too runny.
• Cheddar cheese
• Ground beef
• Onion
• Garlic
• Mushrooms and green beans – a lower-carb blend of vegetables compared to the frozen mixed veggies consisting of carrots, peas, green beans, and corn in the original recipe, but you can use any veggies you like. I use frozen green beans to save time. You can use fresh, but you may want to steam them slightly before adding to the ground beef mixture. The mushrooms also add some extra umami flavor that often comes from using larger amounts of the higher carb ingredients.
• Beef broth – use a brand that is gluten free, if needed. Be sure to read labels.
• Tomato paste – reduced from the original recipe, and can even be cut further to make this dish truly keto-friendly.
• Worcestershire sauce – can be replaced with coconut aminos for an even more keto-friendly option. If you are gluten free, note that generally, common brands like Lea & Perrin’s and French’s are gluten free in the United States, but not in other countries. So be sure to check the labels, or use an alternative.
• Salt and pepper

How to Make Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash

This is just a quick rundown to show you how easy this recipe is to prepare. The details are in the recipe card.

1. Brown the ground beef with onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. 
2. Add mushrooms and green beans, and cook until tender.
3. Stir in beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce (or coconut aminos) and simmer till thickened.
4. Transfer the beef mixture to a 1.5-quart casserole dish.
5. Steam the cauliflower until very tender and transfer to a food processor.
6. Combine cauliflower with Greek yogurt, egg, and cheddar cheese.
7. Puree the cauliflower mash until smooth.
8. Top the casserole with the cauliflower mash and more cheddar cheese, then bake until hot, bubbly, and golden brown.