A Guilt-Free Shepherd’s Pie: Your New Favorite Comfort Food

Homemade shepherd’s pie topped with mashed cauliflower | Carey Jaman

Who says comfort food can’t be healthy? Get ready to fall in love with this low-calorie shepherd’s pie that’s packed with flavor and nutrition.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey (or 90% lean ground beef)
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 medium cauliflower heads
  • 1/4 cup low-fat milk
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the veggies: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Steam the cauliflower until tender, about 10 minutes.
  2. Make the filling: In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, cooking until softened. Stir in mixed vegetables, broth, tomato paste, and herbs. Simmer for 10 minutes until the liquid reduces.
  3. Prepare the topping: Mash the steamed cauliflower with milk and 1 tbsp olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Assemble and bake: Transfer the meat mixture to a baking dish. Spread the cauliflower mash on top. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and sprinkle with rosemary and Parmesan if using.
  5. Bake to perfection: Pop it in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy.

Health Tips

  • This recipe is packed with vegetables, providing essential vitamins and fiber.
  • Using lean meat and cauliflower mash significantly reduces the calorie count compared to traditional recipes.
  • Feel free to experiment with different vegetables to boost the nutritional value even further!

The creamy cauliflower paired with the savory filling creates a perfect harmony of flavors that’ll make you forget you’re eating a healthier version.

So, are you ready to give your taste buds a treat without the guilt? Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turns out!

Happy cooking and healthy eating!