A Healthier Shepherd’s Pie

Shanthi Appelo, MS, RD

| 1 min read

Shepherds Pie
Shepherd’s Pie is a St. Patrick’s Day favorite. While many recipes pack in unhealthy ingredients like a whole stick of butter, this lighter version packs in more veggies, cuts some of the fat and substitutes mashed potatoes for cauliflower.
Serving Amount
Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 lb. lean ground lamb or turkey

  • 1 yellow onion or 2 shallots, finely chopped

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 tbsp flour

  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme or 1 Tbsp. dried thyme

  • 12 cup dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir (optional)

  • 1 cup broth (beef, chicken or vegetable)

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

  • 112 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 cup frozen peas and carrots

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 2 12-ounce bag frozen cauliflower

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tbsp butter

  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced

  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped thyme (or 1 tsp dried)

  • 14 cup grated parmesan

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • Optional garnish — chives, chopped

  • Spray oil

Instructions
  • Step 1

    In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground meat and separate while cooking. Add olive oil, then add onions and garlic. Stir until cooked and fragrant. 

  • Step 2

    Sprinkle flour on top and stir. This should thicken the mixture. Pour over broth, add tomato paste, Worcestershire, wine if using, and thyme. Stir until well-combined. 

  • Step 3

    Add frozen veggies and allow to simmer for 15 minutes. 

  • Step 4

    Add salt and pepper to taste. 

  • Step 5

    Boil the cauliflower in a pot, with enough water to cover it, until soft throughout, about 10 minutes.   

  • Step 6

    In a small saucepan, heat olive oil to medium-low. Once the oil is hot, add garlic, thyme and shallots. Cook until garlic is golden and fragrant, about 3 minutes.  

  • Step 7

    Drain the water from the pot of cauliflower. Remove as much water as possible using pressing motions as this will make the topping denser and creamier. 

  • Step 8

    Pour the oil mixture of shallot, garlic and thyme over the cauliflower in the pot. Add parmesan, salt and pepper. Blend with an immersion blender. Stir in butter. 

  • Step 9

    If using a blender or food processor, add cauliflower, oil mixture, parmesan, salt and pepper, and blend.  

  • Step 10

    Garnish with fresh chopped chives and thyme. 

  • Step 11

    Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  

  • Step 12

    Transfer meat mixture to a deep pie dish or casserole dish. On top, scoop the mashed cauliflower. Spray with spray oil then bake for 30 minutes, until top is golden. 

  • Step 13

    Garnish with chopped chives and thyme. Serve with asparagus or broccoli for a full meal. 

A Healthier Michigan is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
No Personal Healthcare Advice or Other Advice
This Web site provides general educational information on health-related issues and provides access to health-related resources for the convenience of our users. This site and its health-related information and resources are not a substitute for professional medical advice or for the care that patients receive from their physicians or other health care providers.
This site and its health-related information resources are not meant to be the practice of medicine, the practice of nursing, or to carry out any professional health care advice or service in the state where you live. Nothing in this Web site is to be used for medical or nursing diagnosis or professional treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed health care provider. Always consult your health care provider before beginning any new treatment, or if you have any questions regarding a health condition. You should not disregard medical advice, or delay seeking medical advice, because of something you read in this site.