Beef Shepherds Pie Cauliflower (Printable View)
Satisfying blend of beef, vegetables, and creamy cauliflower mash with herbs and spices.
# Ingredient List:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
07 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
08 - 1 cup beef broth
09 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
12 - 1 cup frozen peas
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Cauliflower Mash Topping
14 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
16 - 0.25 cup milk or unsweetened plant-based milk
17 - 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
18 - Salt and white pepper, to taste
→ Optional Garnish
19 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
# How to Prepare:
01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
03 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Incorporate ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Mix in frozen peas and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
06 - Steam or boil cauliflower florets until tender, approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
07 - In a food processor or using a potato masher, blend cauliflower with butter, milk, Parmesan cheese, salt, and white pepper until smooth and creamy.
08 - Transfer beef mixture evenly into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread cauliflower mash on top, smoothing with a spatula and optionally creating decorative swirls.
09 - Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until topping is lightly golden and filling is bubbling.
10 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It sneaks vegetables into a rich, meaty filling without anyone noticing or caring.
- The cauliflower mash is genuinely creamy, not a sad substitute for potatoes.
- It comes together in just over an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners that feel special.
- Naturally gluten-free and low-carb, but tastes nothing like diet food.
02 -
- Drain your cauliflower aggressively after steaming or your mash will be watery no matter how much butter you add.
- Don't skip browning the beef properly; that caramelization is the entire flavor foundation of the filling.
- Taste your mash before spreading it on the beef because seasoning a baked dish is basically impossible.
03 -
- Add a splash of red wine to the beef mixture for subtle depth that guests will taste but never identify.
- For extra richness in the mash, cream cheese melts in beautifully and adds a slight tang that brightens everything.