This meaty, savory keto Shepherd's Pie Recipe is perfect to make now that Fall is almost upon us. I know that you and your whole family will enjoy this recipe. It's so delicious, even non-keto dieters will ask for seconds! This easy comfort food recipe is low carb, keto, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
Hey there! I'm Sarah from the low-carb recipe blog, Green & Keto. I serve up recipes made with keto-friendly ingredients that are fresh, vibrant, and most importantly -- super delicious.
Through my recipes, meal plans, and free guides, I'm here to show you how to live more healthfully -- while making every dish feel like a total indulgence.
I believe that good food is the key to staying on plan, and I want to help you live your most delicious life.
So, if you are looking for a hearty and comforting dinner recipe, look no further. I'm so excited to share this low-carb makeover of one of my all-time favorite casserole recipes - Shepherd's Pie.
What is in Shepherd's Pie?
Shepherd's pie is a traditional dish that most likely originated in Scotland or northern England. It was a recipe developed to use leftover pieces of roast meat. It is usually called "shepherd's pie" when made with lamb because a shepherd looks after sheep.
Shepherd's pie is traditionally made with ground lamb. However, I used ground beef in this low carb version because my family prefers it, and it is easier for me to find. This is normally called Cottage Pie. That said, if you love lamb and are able to find it in your local grocery store, please feel free to substitute it for the ground beef.
Making Keto Shepherd's Pie
Traditional shepherd's pie is a casserole made with a layer of cooked meat and vegetables in a savory gravy. Then, the meat is topped with mashed potatoes, and baked in the oven until the mashed potatoes are browned.
This keto shepherd's pie is made with mashed cauliflower topping instead of the mashed potatoes. "Cauli mash" is a great low carb or Trim Healthy Mama alternative to mashed potatoes -- and is just as delicious. I like to use cheddar cheese in my cauliflower for a boost of flavor.
What goes with Low Carb Shepherd's Pie?
This dish is almost a full meal in itself. Meat, veggies, and cauliflower mash come together to make a satisfying meal.
If you are looking to make something to accompany it, I'd suggest garlic broccoli or a simple side salad.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this up to 2 days ahead of time. Make the meat mixture and mashed cauliflower and assemble the keto shepherds pie casserole. When you are ready to serve it bake it as directed.
Like what you see? Follow me on Facebook! Love this recipe? Leave a comment & 5-star rating right here! Make sure you don’t miss new recipes by getting email updates!
Ingredients
Ground Beef mixture
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb
- 1 small zucchini diced
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- Salt and pepper
Cauliflower Topping
- 1 small cauliflower cut into florets
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup shredded cheese
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
Shepherd's Pie
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and sauté on medium heat until soft and translucent.
- Add the ground beef and cook, stirring frequently, until it is browned and cooked through.
- Add the zucchini and tomatoes and stir to combine.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
Cauliflower Topping
- In a large pot, add cauliflower to boiling water. Boil the cauliflower until soft, about 8-10 minutes.
- Drain the cauliflower, allowing all steam to escape. Dry cauliflower will help make a creamier mash.
- Transfer the drained cauliflower to a food processor. Add the butter, cream, shredded cheese, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth.
To Assemble
- Place the ground beef mixture in the bottom of a large casserole dish. Top with the mashed cauliflower.
- Bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes and until the filling is bubbly and the topping is browned
Cara Snover says
do you think I could use frozen cauliflower rice instead of fresh?
Taryn says
Yes, that would be fine.
Fran says
Mine is in the oven as I write this. I’m an experienced enough cook to know this is gonna be amazing. I just want to say thank you - I have been looking for Keto comfort food and this flips the bill nicely. Made it close to your recipe for my first run, but can’t wait to tinker with it! Isn’t that the real “joy of cooking”? 🙂❤️
Shila Homan says
I didn't realize that I should have squeezed the water out of cauliflower I'm new at this keto stuff.
Dana says
Well it depends on how you cook the cauliflower and how wet it is. If you steam it, there is minimal moisture and why I've switched to always steaming it. It also keeps more nutrients in the food and less in the water! The recipe mentioned water will make it moister for that reason.
Jerri Davis says
This is probably my favorite keto meal to date and I have been on keto over 2 years! Thank you for posting!
Tina says
Have had “cottage pie” in Ireland on many occasions. This healthy version isn’t the same but still delicious. Instead of zucchini I used finely chopped carrots. The mash was actually boxed cauliflower mashed potatoes with garlic then cheddar mixed it. Very good - will definitely make again. Only thing to make it better would have been a pint of Guinness!
Eric says
Good recipe... I used a nut milk bag to squeeze as much water out of cauliflower then mixed it with the butter and heavy cream until thoroughly mixed ... 5 minutes, then baked in a portable oven fryer for 20 minutes at 350 degrees ... perfect texture and perfect taste
Gayle P says
I used a little bbq sauce in my meat and veggies and it was awesome. My family loves it.
Also, when I make tge cauliflower I cook it in a steamer basket and after cooking and cooling slightly I squeeze water out using towels or paper towels.
Jane R says
Great recipe but shepherds pie it ain’t as that would involve lamb mince (clue is in the name)! This uses beef which is a completely different thing (cottage pie).
I used cauliflower pieces in a keto cheese sauce for the topping which was delicious - mashed cauliflower is a little too much for me and I enjoyed the texture ore (especially crisped up under the grill)!
Taryn says
Yes, I know this is technically cottage pie. You can use lamb if you prefer. This is mentioned in the blog post.
Kat Wilkie says
OMG, this was super delicious! I didn't have tomatoes so I added celery and red pepper instead. Everyone RAVED! I'll definitely make it again! Thank you for sharing!
Sue says
How many ounces or grams in a serving? Thx!
Taryn says
I'm sorry I don't have that information. If you have a kitchen scale you can weigh your casserole dish empty and after baking this to find that out.
Honey says
Is the nutrition for 1 serving? How many servings?
Taryn says
Yes. There are 6 servings.
Estelle says
Can we freeze it
Taryn says
Mashed cauliflower freezes ok but not great. If possible I'd suggest freezing the meat portion and then adding freshly mashed cauliflower.
mary says
What kind of shredded cheese?
Taryn says
Completely up to you. Mozzarella will be a very mild flavor or use something more flavorful like cheddar or gruyere.
Mindy says
Just made this and it is awesome!!
Matt says
I doubled the recipe and it took an extra 15 minutes to brown
Angelyna says
What a great recipe! I just got done eating and I’m so stuffed but want more. That’s how good it is! Thank you! #keto
Jane says
I added a beef bullion cube to the hamburger mixture to make it beefier, loved it
rose gallo says
I love this recipe, I added some Italian sausage to it extra garlic it’s awesome , will make again
Jenny says
I’m going to add a cube, as well. Thanks.
Linda says
I have not tried it but it seems like an egg wash might help brown the cauliflower
JenM says
I love this recipe! I just made it, but I couldn't get the mashed cauliflower to brown, I even left it in for an extra 5 minutes. Only the edges started to brown. Can anyone offer me what I might have missed or any tips to making it brown better?
Taryn says
You could put it under the broiler for a couple minutes.
Liza says
Add some cheese
Bill says
put a little cheese on top and broil for 6 minutes
LeanneKen says
I found the easiest way to brown cauliflower in the oven is to add a some real Parmesan cheese(not the stuff in the big green plastic container) the fresh stuff even the stuff that’s pre-shredded works well. It is a much drier cheese then say cheddar or mozzarella so it seems to brown a lot faster then either of those without adding a lot of fat that tends to float on top. Anyway that worked wonderful for me!
Going to try the addition of a beef bullion cube to add a depth of flavour have to check the sodium content on those first.
Mary Mathews says
You certainly did mention it is 'technically' Cottage Pie in the beginning but lots of people just glaze over to the recipe. It's a great recipe!! I very much like adding Worcestershire sauce. As for the cauliflower mash, I bought a colander with very tiny fine holes. It's important to get as much liquid out of the cauliflower once cooked, (called ricing) which renders a truly creamy texture which is very close to mashed potatoes!! I use a bowl to press it in the colander to release the water. Less water should allow it to brown better, too.
Taryn says
Thanks for sharing your tips, Mary! I'm glad you like this recipe 🙂