Homemade Beef and Mushroom Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower Mash

This hearty shepherd's pie is filled with ground beef, savory mushrooms, carrots, peas, and corn topped with a fluffy cauliflower mash. The beef and vegetables simmer together in a rich gravy then get layered with creamy, buttery cauliflower "potatoes" and baked to bubbly perfection. A healthier take on a comfort food classic, it's pure cozy goodness from the first bite. Ready in just over an hour, this homemade shepherd's pie makes for a satisfying family meal any night of the week.

Ingredients

To serve 6, you will need:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 3 cups riced cauliflower
• 1⁄4 cup cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1⁄4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt, pepper, thyme to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

Putting this shepherd's pie together is straightforward:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. Brown ground beef with onions and garlic in a skillet. Drain excess grease.
3. Add carrots, mushrooms, flour, broth, peas, corn, and seasonings. Simmer 10 minutes until thickened.
4. Transfer beef mixture to prepared baking dish.
5. In a food processor, pulse cauliflower, cream cheese, and butter until smooth.
6. Spread cauliflower mash over beef mixture. Top with cheddar.
7. Bake 30 minutes until hot and bubbly. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

Choosing High Quality Ingredients

Seek out the best ingredients for maximum flavor:

Ground Beef

• 85% lean ground beef for moistness.
• Ground sirloin or ground chuck for beefy flavor.
• Grass-fed or organic if your budget allows.

Vegetables

• White button or cremini mushrooms.
• Fresh carrots, frozen peas and corn.
• Onion and garlic add aromatic flavor.

Cauliflower Mash

• Fresh riced or grated raw cauliflower.
• Cream cheese and butter for smooth, creamy texture.
• Grated cheddar for cheesy topping.

Quality ingredients mean letting the fresh flavors shine through.

Browning the Beef

Browning the beef builds layers of flavor:

• Use medium heat to avoid burning.
• Cook until beef loses its pink color.
• Add onions and garlic during last few minutes.
• Drain excess grease after browning.
• Scrape up browned bits stuck to the pan.

Properly browning the beef keeps the filling tender and moist.

Chopping the Vegetables

For best texture and flavor, finely chop:

• Onions and garlic.
• Carrots into small diced pieces.
• Mushrooms into bitesized pieces.
• Peas and corn can be frozen.
• The smaller the pieces, the faster they'll cook.

Proper chopping ensures the filling cooks evenly for the best consistency.

Cauliflower Mash Techniques

For ultra creamy mashed cauliflower:

• Rice or finely grate raw cauliflower florets.
• Sauté riced cauliflower briefly to remove moisture.
• Puree cauliflower with cream cheese and butter.
• Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder.
• Achieve mashed potato texture without the carbs!

With the right techniques, cauliflower makes a smooth, creamy topping.

Assembling the Shepherd's Pie

To assemble the pie:

• Layer beef mixture in bottom of prepared baking dish.
• Top evenly with cauliflower mash.
• Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.
• Bake at 375°F until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
• Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
• Garnish with parsley or green onions (optional).

Layering the components creates a beautiful presentation.

Serving Suggestions

Serve shepherd's pie with:

• Dinner rolls, biscuits, or cornbread.
• Steamed or roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts.
• Fresh green salad with vinaigrette.
• Gravy or ketchup to drizzle over the top.
• A pint of stout beer or nice red wine.

Simple sides and sauces complement this hearty, satisfying dish.

Storage and Leftovers

To store and reheat leftovers:

• Allow shepherd's pie to cool completely before refrigerating.
• Cover tightly and store 3-4 days.
• Reheat individual portions in microwave until hot.
• Bake whole pie at 400°F for 15-20 minutes to reheat.
• Freeze unbaked pie up to 2-3 months.

With proper storage, shepherd's pie leftovers make a great quick meal.

Nutrition Facts

This shepherd's pie provides:

• Protein from lean beef to keep you satisfied.
• Fiber, vitamins C, K from vegetables.
• Vitamin C, antioxidants from cauliflower mash.
• Calcium, protein from cheeses.
• No grains or gluten for paleo, low-carb, or keto diets.

The veggies add lots of extra nutrition not found in traditional shepherd's pie.

Conclusion

This beef and mushroom shepherd's pie puts a lighter, healthier spin on the traditional comfort food dish. Swapping in riced cauliflower for the potato topping cuts down on carbs and calories without sacrificing creamy richness. Filled with tender beef, carrots, peas, corn, and earthy mushrooms, it's pure cozy goodness from the first bite. Ready in just over an hour, it makes for a satisfying homemade dinner that will please the whole family. For a new take on shepherd’s pie, give this delicious veggie-packed recipe a try.

5 Frequently Asked Questions about Shepherd's Pie

1. What is the best cut of beef for shepherd's pie?

85% lean ground beef provides a good balance of fat for flavor and moisture. Ground chuck or sirloin are great options.

2. Can you freeze shepherd's pie?

Yes, assembled unbaked shepherd's pie freezes well for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.

3. How long does assembled shepherd's pie last refrigerated?

Assembled, unbaked shepherd's pie will keep 3-4 days refrigerated. Bake just before serving for best results.

4. What vegetables work well in shepherd's pie?

Carrots, peas, corn, celery, green beans, parsnips, and mushrooms are all excellent in shepherd's pie.

5. What goes well with shepherd's pie?

Biscuits, dinner rolls, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green salad, and gravy or ketchup make great accompaniments.