HEALTHY SHEPHERDS PIE- gluten free & low carb
This healthy shepherds pie is one of the best healthy recipes I have every made. Whoever said eating healthy is boring never tried this recipe.
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Shepherds pie is a classic recipe and a staple in most homes. It is a great freezer meal and easy to throw together! I got this recipe from a family member and adapted it to be a little more family and kid friendly.
As I am sure you are aware, traditional shepherds pie is smothered with a thick layer of mashed potatoes. This low carb version still has a mashed potato texture, but significantly healthier.
I don’t know who came up with it, but the potato and cauliflower is combo is pure genius. Anytime I make mashed potatoes, I throw in a bag of cauliflower. You could easily skip the potato all together, but I love the potato’s added texture and flavor.
Trick your kids or your husband with this healthy swap! They will never know.
Why I love Healthy Shepherds Pie
Low carb– So many people these days are looking for low carb recipes. I don’t necessarily follow a low carb diet, but I do 2B Mindset plating system which discourages carbs for supper.
Healthy– Okay, okay. Healthy can be such a relative term and different for every person. This Healthy Shepherds Pie is perfect for keto, low carb, paleo, or just plain clean eating. It is full of veggies and other whole, clean ingredients.
Easy– It takes about an hour to prepare, but that is not all work time. It is pretty simple to throw this supper together, especially ahead of time and is a great freezer meal.
Gluten-Free– As a woman trying to eat a gluten free lifestyle, I have discovered naturally gluten free foods are my jam. I am not a gluten free junkie that grabs all of the gluten free pretzels, breads, chips, etc. I try to eat naturally gluten free items such as potato, rice, and quinoa.
Looking for other healthy recipes your whole family will enjoy? Checkout this Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal, these Easy Flatbread Pizzas, or Peanut Butter Balls for a healthy dessert swap.
INGREDIENTS IN HEALTHY SHEPHERD’S PIE
- GROUND MEAT-I like ground beef, but you could use pork, lamb, turkey
- CAULIFLOWER– The secret ingredient to this low carb shepherd’s pie.
- POTATO– You could easy omit the potato, but I find that it helps with the texture.
- APPLE CIDER VINEGAR– The acid brings out the flavor, without adding any extra preservatives.
- VEGETABLES– This is where you can do whatever you want! I do a combo of fresh and frozen veggies. Shepherd’s pie is a great meal to customize based on what your family likes, and what you have stocked in your fridge and freezer. If you are new here, I go grocery shopping 1-2 times a month and live off stock piles.
- SPICES– Rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika bring this dish to life.
- BROTH– Homemade is definitely the healthiest, but bouillon cubes and store bought work.
- BUTTER– It sometimes gets a bad rap, but it is just so hard to beat.
- CORNSTARCH– Helps the meat mixture thicken, but you could use arrowroot starch if you want.
Healthy Shepherds Pie
Ingredients
- 1 bag of riced cauliflower **
- 1 potato optional
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 lb ground meat beef, lamb, or pork
- 1/2 onion diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 2 large carrots
- 1 package of frozen mixed vegetables such as peas green beans, corn, carrots (optional) ***
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 cup beef broth can use bone broth
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Chop potato into small pieces.
- Place cauliflower rice and potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 5-10 minutes, until potato is tender.
- Drain. Add butter and salt. Mix with a hand mixer. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In an oven safe skillet, fry ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease. Add onion, celery, and carrot. Cook for 5 minutes. (If using extra frozen vegetables, add now.)
- Add garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together broth, apple cider vinegar, rosemary, and corn starch. Pour over the beef and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce has reduced and thickens up.
- Remove from heat, top with cauliflower topping.
- Bake fore 20 minutes or until meat layer starts bubbling.
- Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
OTHER RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY
- Homemade Granola
- Granola Bars
- Apple & Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal
- Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
- Peanut Butter Energy Bites
- PB & Jelly Energy Bites– gluten free & dairy free
- Blueberry Pie Oats
As always, thanks for stopping by! I hope you found value here and will come back for more!
