Cauliflower Shepherd’s Pie

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the Meat Mixture:

• 1 lb lean ground lamb or beef

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped

• 1 carrot, finely chopped

• 4 oz mushrooms, finely chopped

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup beef stock

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

For the Cauliflower Topping:

• 1 head cauliflower, washed and chopped

• 2 oz cream cheese

• 2 tablespoons butter

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, divided

Instructions

Cauliflower Topping:

1. Prepare Cauliflower: Steam the chopped cauliflower until tender, about 7-10 minutes. Drain well.

2. Drain Excess Water: Transfer the steamed cauliflower to a mesh strainer. Press down with a spoon to remove as much liquid as possible to ensure a creamy consistency.

3. Blend Cauliflower: Place the drained cauliflower in a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth.

4. Mix Topping Ingredients: Stir in cream cheese, butter, onion powder, and 3/4 cup of the cheddar cheese into the pureed cauliflower. Set aside.

Shepherd's Pie:

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cook Meat Mixture: In a frying pan over medium heat, cook the ground lamb or beef with diced onion and minced garlic until the meat is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.

3. Add Vegetables and Seasonings: To the meat, add the finely chopped mushrooms, celery, and carrot along with the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and beef stock. Stir well.

4. Simmer: Allow the mixture to simmer uncovered for about 5-7 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.

5. Assemble in Dish: Transfer the meat mixture into the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish. Spread the cauliflower topping evenly over the meat. Sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup of cheddar cheese on top.

6. Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the topping is golden and the edges are bubbly.

7. Rest Before Serving: Let the dish rest for 10 minutes after baking. This allows the layers to set, making it easier to serve.

This Cauliflower Topped Shepherd's Pie offers a delicious and lighter alternative to the traditional recipe, with the creamy cauliflower blend adding a nutritious twist. Enjoy this comforting dish on a cozy night!

Nutritional Facts for Shepherd's Pie (Per Serving)

• Calories: 400 kcal

• Protein: 24 g

• Fat: 22 g

• Saturated Fat: 11 g

• Carbohydrates: 24 g

• Fiber: 5 g

• Sugars: 4 g

• Sodium: 600 mg