Homemade Beef and Vegetable Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower Mash

Shepherd's pie is the ultimate comfort food, with its hearty filling of ground beef, vegetables, and gravy topped with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes. This homemade version swaps in riced cauliflower for a lighter, healthier take on the classic mashed potato topping. With tender beef, carrots, peas, and corn topped with fluffy cauliflower, it's a new family favorite.

Ingredients

To make this shepherd’s pie for 6 servings, you will need:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 2 cups riced cauliflower
• 1⁄4 cup cream cheese
• 1⁄4 cup butter
• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 1⁄4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Thyme, salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make shepherd's pie with cauliflower mash:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
3. Add onion, carrots, and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in beef broth.
5. Add peas, corn, thyme, salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Transfer beef mixture to prepared baking dish.
7. In a food processor, pulse cauliflower until finely ground.
8. Add cream cheese, butter and milk. Puree until smooth.
9. Spread cauliflower mash over the beef mixture. Top with cheddar cheese.
10. Bake for 20 minutes until bubbly and topping is golden brown.
11. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

Choosing the Best Ingredients

The key to amazing homemade shepherd's pie is using high quality ingredients. Here are some tips:

Ground Beef

• Choose 90% lean or leaner ground beef for less grease.
• Grass-fed organic beef has more nutrients if it fits your budget.
• Ground chuck or ground sirloin offer great beefy flavor.
• Drain excess fat after browning to keep it healthier.

Vegetables

• Onions and carrots add sweetness and texture.
• Frozen peas and corn make it easy and budget-friendly.
• Substitute any in-season vegetables like celery, mushrooms, etc.
• Pre-cook hard veggies like potatoes, squash, parsnips.

Cauliflower Mash

• Uses riced or grated raw cauliflower for the topping.
• Roasting it first brings out nutty sweetness.
• Cream cheese and butter make it ultra creamy.
• Go 50/50 cauliflower and potatoes if desired.

Quality ingredients ensure maximum flavor in every bite.

Choosing the Best Ground Beef

When choosing ground beef, opt for:

• 80% lean - 90% lean cuts to limit grease.
• Ground chuck or ground sirloin for best flavor.
• Organic, grass-fed if your budget allows.
• Hand-ground beef from a butcher for premium quality.

Browning the beef first and draining excess fat removes some of the saturated fat but retains all the meaty flavor.

Chopping the Vegetable Filling

Cutting the vegetables into small, uniform pieces is key:

• Dice the onions and carrots into 1⁄4 inch pieces.
• Mince the garlic cloves into very small pieces.
• Chop any herbs or leafy greens.
• The small pieces will cook quickly and distribute well.
• Pre-cook starchy vegetables like potatoes first.
• Use frozen peas and corn for convenience.

Take the extra time to properly dice the vegetables for the best texture.

Cauliflower Mash Techniques

To make fluffy cauliflower mash:

• Grate or finely chop fresh or frozen cauliflower florets.
• Pulse in a food processor for smooth, fine grains.
• Steam for 5-10 minutes if using raw cauliflower.
• Reduce moisture by sautéing before mashing.
• Add cream cheese, butter, milk for maximum creaminess.
• Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

The cauliflower takes on the creamy, rich texture of mashed potatoes without all the carbs.

Assembling the Shepherd's Pie

To assemble:

• Spread beef mixture evenly into greased baking dish.
• Top with cauliflower mash, smooth with a spoon or spatula.
• Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.
• Bake until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes.
• Let cool 5 minutes before serving.
• Garnish with parsley or green onions (optional).

Layering the components creates a beautiful presentation for serving.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some tasty ways to serve shepherd's pie:

• Top with gravy, ketchup, or hot sauce for extra flavor.
• Serve steamed vegetables like broccoli, kale, or green beans on the side.
• Pair with biscuits, rolls, or cornbread for dipping.
• Garnish with chopped parsley, chives, or scallions.
• Offer salad with vinaigrette or ranch dressing on the side.
• Spoon into bowls for individual family-style serving.

Customize each serving with extra sauces, vegetables, or bread to make it a meal.

Storage and Leftovers

To store and reheat leftovers:

• Allow shepherd's pie to cool completely before refrigerating.
• Cover tightly and store for 3-4 days.
• Reheat individual portions in the microwave.
• Bake chilled pie at 400°F for 20 minutes to reheat entirely.
• Freeze assembled, unbaked pies up to 2-3 months.
• Thaw overnight in fridge before baking.

Shepherd's pie leftovers make an easy weeknight meal. Just reheat and serve!

Nutrition Facts

The cauliflower mash makes this shepherd's pie healthier than classic versions. It provides:

• Protein from the lean ground beef to keep you full.
• Fiber, vitamins C, K, B6, and minerals from the mixed vegetables.
• Vitamin C, antioxidants, and phytochemicals from cauliflower.
• Probiotics and nutrients from cheese and cream cheese.
• No grains or gluten for gluten-free, paleo, or low-carb diets.

Serve a green salad on the side to add even more nutritional value.

Conclusion

This homemade shepherd's pie puts a healthy spin on a comfort food classic. Swapping in riced cauliflower for the traditional potato topping cuts down on carbs without losing creamy richness. Filled with meaty ground beef, tender carrots, peas, and corn, it makes for a hearty, satisfying meal everyone will love. The next time you want to whip up an easy weeknight dinner, give this vegetable-packed shepherd’s pie recipe a try.

5 Frequently Asked Questions about Shepherd's Pie

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

85% or 90% lean ground beef provides the best balance of flavor and fat. Ground chuck or ground sirloin are great options.

2. Can I freeze shepherd's pie?

Yes, assembled, unbaked shepherd's pies freeze very well for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as usual.

3. Is shepherd's pie better the next day?

Yes, shepherd's pie often tastes even better after 24 hours in the fridge. The flavors have time to further meld and develop.

4. Can I make it ahead of time?

You can prepare the beef filling and cauliflower mash ahead. Assemble and bake just before serving for the best texture and taste.

5. What do you serve with shepherd's pie?

Biscuits, dinner rolls, salad, roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or broccoli all pair nicely with shepherd's pie.