Beef Shepherds Pie Cauliflower (Printable)
Hearty ground beef and vegetable filling topped with smooth cauliflower mash in a comforting dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef Filling
01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 1 celery stalk, diced
06 - 1 pound lean ground beef
07 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
08 - 1 cup beef broth
09 - 1 teaspoon 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
14 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
16 - 1/4 cup milk or cream
17 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
18 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets and cook until tender, 10–12 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
04 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 6–8 minutes.
05 - Stir in tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Simmer for 8–10 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
06 - Add peas, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
07 - In a food processor or using a potato masher, blend cooked cauliflower with butter, milk, Parmesan (if using), salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
08 - Spread the beef mixture evenly in a 2-quart baking dish. Top with cauliflower mash, smoothing it out with a spatula.
09 - Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden. For extra browning, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
10 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Its the comfort food you crave without the heavy post-dinner slump that traditional Shepherd's Pie always brings
- The cauliflower mash creates this incredibly creamy texture that somehow feels even more indulgent than potatoes
02 -
- The cauliflower needs to be completely dry before mashing or you'll end up with watery mash that never sets properly
- Letting the beef mixture simmer until it's actually thick makes the difference between a cohesive pie and a soupy mess
03 -
- Sprinkle extra cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking for a golden, bubbly crust
- Make the components ahead and assemble just before baking for easy weeknight dinners