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Lightened Up Shepherd's Pie

Lightened Up Shepard’s Pie

You won't miss the fat in this lightened up version of this classic English casserole

Course dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine Comfort Food, gluten free, Healthy, Hearty
Keyword 30 Minute Meal, Comfort Food, One Pan, One Pot
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

Base Meat Layer

  • 1 pound lean ground beef preferably grass fed
  • 1 tbsp good olive oil
  • 1 medium Vidalia onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp wheat free tamari (if using soy sauce will not be GF)
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 2 tsp corn starch or sweet rice flour

Veggie Layer

  • 1 cup diced carrot
  • 1 cup frozen peas

Mashed Potato Topping

  • 1 pound baby Yukon Gold potatoes preferably organic
  • 1 cup unsweetened plant based milk such as almond milk, or low fat cow dairy milk
  • Sea salt and ground white pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
  • 1 cup diced scallions
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese – Reserve to sprinkle on top before baking
  • Smoked paprika – Reserve to sprinkle on top before baking

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F, using convection roast if setting is available

  2. Prepare mashed potatoes – Wash potatoes, place in a pot, add a generous salt pinch, cover with water, and boil covered, until potatoes tender, about 15-20 minutes, and pierce easily with a fork

  3. Meanwhile, prepare the base meat layer by sautéing onion, garlic, and thyme in olive oil in a medium skillet until onions begin to soften, about 5 minutes, then stir in black pepper, tomato paste, and tamari

  4. Add mushrooms and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally

  5. Add beef and break into crumbles with a spatula, stirring to combine

  6. When meat is cooked through, taste to adjust seasoning as needed, stir in corn starch or sweet rice flour, and place meat mixture in a 9x9 baking pan

  7. Evenly spread a layer of diced carrot and peas on top of meat mixture

  8. Drain potatoes, reserving 2 cups cooking liquid

  9. Place potatoes back in pot, add milk, salt, pepper, rosemary, and scallions

  10. Mash potatoes to a desired consistency, thinning with reserved potato cooking liquid if needed

  11. Taste to adjust seasoning, and spread potatoes on top of meat mixture in baking pan

  12. Top with grated parmesan cheese, then sprinkle generously with smoked paprika

  13. Bake uncovered until potatoes are browned, and meat is bubbling, about 30 minutes

  14. Use a spatula to cut into squares, and serve with a simple green vegetable like steamed broccoli or a salad

    Lightened Up Shepherd's Pie

Recipe Notes

You can make this vegetarian by substituting veggie crumbles for ground beef