Its also a dish thats on the heavy side, something that might require a nap after eating.

The sum total of these swaps is a lighter dish with no shortcuts on flavor.

Cottage pie is the term traditionally applied to one made with beef.

Shepherd’s pie with vegetables and lean meat

Alison Bickel

Luckily, you might do some of the prep in advance, so it goes more quickly come dinnertime.

Cut all of the vegetables ahead of time, including the onions, carrots, celery, and cauliflower.

Keep all prepped vegetables in the fridge until ready to cook.

Healthy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe in a dish

Alison Bickel

The finished dish keeps well for several days and reheats well in the oven or microwave.

Place it in the freezer until fairly firm, about two hours.

Then, cover tightly with plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil.

easy healthy shepherd’s pie with mixed green salad

Alison Bickel

Mark the date on the outside and store in the freezer for up to two months.

When ready to serve, remove the foil and plastic wrap.

Use the foil you just removed to loosely cover the pie.

Cauliflower boiling in a pot for cauliflower mash healthy shepherd’s pie

Alison Bickel

Bake the casserole for an hour, or until the pie is hot all the way through.

Remove the foil for the last 15 minutes to allow the top to brown.

This recipe qualifies as both.

Boil cauliflower for cauliflower mash for shepherd’s pie

Alison Bickel

Nobody will be the wiser, since it remains so flavorful and satisfying.

Add enough salt so the water tastes pleasantly of the sea (about 2 teaspoons).

Bring to a boil over high heat.

Make potato and cauliflower mash for healthy shepherd’s pie

Alison Bickel

Drain well and return to the cooking pot.

Add the olive oil, milk, salt, and several grinds of black pepper.

Use a potato masher to blend everything into a creamy mash.

Cook onions carrots and celery for easy and healthy shepherd’s pie recipe

Alison Bickel

Taste and add more salt or pepper as needed.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high.

Add the garlic, thyme, beef, salt, and a generous shower of freshly ground black pepper.

Cook lean beef on the stove for healthy shepherd’s pie recipe

Alison Bickel

Saute until the meat is crumbly and no longer pink.

Add the peas, tomato paste, wine, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce.

Adjust the heat so the liquid simmers.

Cook healthy shepherd’s pie filling on the stove with lean beef and peas

Alison Bickel

Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces slightly and the flavors brighten, about 10 minutes.

Taste and add more salt if needed.

Spoon the cauliflower/potato mash evenly over the beef.

Healthy shepherd’s pie filling with lean ground beef and vegetables

Alison Bickel

Scatter the cheese on top.

Feel free to set briefly under a broiler to brown further.

Remove from the oven and serve.

How To make a healthy shepherd’s pie with cauliflower

Alison Bickel

Top Shepherd’s Pie with cauliflower and potato mash

Alison Bickel