Shepherd’s pie is a classic comfort food that has been enjoyed for generations. This traditional dish is made with ground meat and vegetables, topped with a mashed potato crust. However, for those on the paleo diet, traditional shepherd’s pie can be a bit of a challenge.
Thankfully, with a few ingredient swaps, this beloved dish can easily be made paleo-friendly. My version of paleo shepherd’s pie uses ground beef instead of lamb, and cauliflower instead of potatoes for the topping.
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Shepherd’s Pie with Ground Beef
The key to making this dish truly delicious is to use high-quality ingredients. I recommend using ground beef that is grass-fed and organic, as well as fresh herbs and vegetables. The carrots and onion add sweetness and depth of flavor to the dish that is truly irresistible.
This recipe is also incredibly easy to make. It takes about 45 minutes to prepare and just 30 minutes to bake. The ground beef is cooked with the vegetables and beef stock, then topped with a mashed cauliflower mixture. The result is a hearty, comforting dish that is sure to please even the most discerning palates.
And if you like something unique, check out our elk shepherd’s pie recipe for a different flavor!
Paleo Shepherd’s Pie
One of the things I love most about this recipe is that it’s so versatile. You can easily adjust the recipe to suit your taste preferences by adding different herbs or spices. You can also switch up the meat, using ground lamb, turkey, or pork instead of beef.
Serves: 4 Prep Time: 45 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 7 tablespoons cooking fat
- 1 medium onion
- 1 cup carrots
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup + 3 tablespoons beef stock
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Paprika to garnish
How to Make a Paleo Shepherd’s Pie
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
In a pot, boil the cauliflower in salted water until it becomes fork-tender.
Drain the cauliflower and mash it with 2 tablespoons of cooking fat and 3 tablespoons of beef stock using a potato masher. Adjust the consistency to your liking by adding more or less stock, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
In a pan, heat 3 tablespoons of cooking fat over medium-low heat and sauté the onions until soft, for about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Then, add the diced carrots and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
Pour in the beef stock, season again with salt and pepper, and simmer the mixture, uncovered, for about 5 minutes.
Spread the cooked meat mixture in a 9-inch pan and cover it with the cauliflower mash.
Spread the remaining cooking fat on top of the mash and bake it in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and garnish with paprika.
More Easy Paleo Casseroles
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a comforting and satisfying meal that is also paleo-friendly, look no further than this paleo Shepherd’s Pie. It’s the perfect comfort food for any night of the week and will become a staple in your recipe collection.
📖 Recipe
Paleo Shepherd’s Pie
A delicious Paleo shepherd’s pie, sometimes called cottage pie, is made with rich beef, carrots, onions, and a savory mashed cauliflower topping!
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower cut into small florets
- 7 tablespoon cooking fat bacon grease, beef tallow, or ghee
- 1 medium onion roughly chopped
- 1 cup carrots diced
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup + 3 tablespoon beef stock
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Paprika to garnish
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 400 F.
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Boil the cauliflower in a pot of salted water until just tender.
1 head cauliflower
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Drain and mash with 2 tablespoon of the cooking fat and 3 tablespoons of the stock using a potato masher. Use more or less stock to control the consistency of the mash. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7 tablespoon cooking fat, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
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Heat 3 tablespoons of the cooking fat in a pan over a medium-low heat and sauté the onion until soft, about 5 minutes.
1 medium onion
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Add the ground meat and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the diced carrots and cook yet again for 5 minutes.
1 lb ground beef, 1 cup carrots
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Pour in the stock, add in the herbs, and season again with salt and pepper and simmer, uncovered, for about 5 minutes.
½ cup + 3 tablespoon beef stock, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
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Spread the cooked meat in a 9-inch pan and spread the cauliflower mash on top.
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Add the rest of the cooking fat on top of the mash scattered around and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
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Remove from oven and garnish with paprika.
Paprika to garnish
Notes
- For a true shepherd’s pie, you would use ground lamb instead of ground beef. You can use whatever ground meat you prefer for added flavor.
- Replace the salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary with any of your favorite herb blends if you prefer.
- Cooking fats that work for this include; beef tallow, bacon grease, ground beef drippings, avocado oil, or lard.
Nutrition
Calories: 563kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 23gFat: 47gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 205mgPotassium: 921mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 4511IUVitamin C: 75mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 4mg