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Paleo Shepherd's Pie

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • For the Beef Mixture:
  • 1 Tbs grass fed pasture raised butter or olive oil or lard
  • 3 carrots- peeled quartered lengthwise, and then chopped (1 & ½ cups)
  • 1 & 1/2 cups chopped mushrooms
  • 2 cups chopped onions
  • 1 & ½ lbs ground beef organic, grass fed and pasture raised
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup red wine
  • ½ cup beef broth divided
  • 1 Tbs tomato paste
  • 2 Tbs coconut aminos
  • 2 tsp molasses
  • 1 tsp tapioca flour
  • 2 cups of frozen peas
  • For the Cauliflower Mash:
  • 1 head of cauliflower
  • 2 cups of peeled chopped golden potatoes 2 small potatoes
  • 1 Tbs grass fed pasture raised butter or fat of your choice
  • 2 Tbs chicken broth
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • I recommend using organic ingredients when possible.

Instructions

  • Heat a large wide pot, such a dutch oven or a frying pan with a tall rim over a medium burner. Add butter and chopped carrots, stir and sauté for about three minutes. While carrots are softening, clean and chop the mushrooms. Add mushrooms to the pan and sauté for three minutes.
  • Meanwhile, peel and chop the onion. Add the chopped onions to the pan and stir until softened, about two minutes.
  • Add the ground beef to the pan and season salt and pepper. Break up the beef with a spatula and stir as the meat browns.
  • When the beef is almost cooked through, but still a little pink, add the minced garlic and stir. Cook , stirring until it is fragrant, about a minute.
  • If there is a lot of grease from the beef you can drain it off at this time.
  • Add the paprika, dried thyme, cayenne, minced garlic, red wine, 1/4 cup beef broth, tomato paste, and coconut aminos. Stir well.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ¼ cup of beef broth and the tapioca flour. Add the slurry to the pot and stir.
  • Simmer for 5 minutes on low to thicken. Stir in the frozen peas, turn off heat and cover.
  • Taste and adjust the salt and pepper, if desired.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
  • Meanwhile, prepare the cauliflower mashed potatoes.
  • Chop 1 small head of cauliflower into about 4 or 5 cups of florets. Steam for 10 minutes, or until soft.
  • Meanwhile set three cups of water to boil and add a tsp of salt to the water. Peel and chop two small golden potatoes (2 cups chopped).
  • Boil potatoes until easily pierced by a fork and strain.
  • Puree the steamed cauliflower with an immersion blender. You could also use a food processor,or a blender.
  • Mash the potatoes into the pureed cauliflower using a potato masher. Don’t use the blender or the potatoes will become too glutinous.
  • Add butter, salt, pepper, and broth. Stir well.
  • Spread beef mixture into the bottom of a 9” x 11” casserole pan. Spoon the cauliflower mash over the top of the beef mixture and spread evenly.
  • Bake uncovered in a 350-degree oven. Just long enough to warm the meat through, and firm up the mash.
  • Sometimes when I’m in a hurry to get dinner on the table, I don’t bother assembling the casserole and baking it. I just spoon the beef mixture into a bowl and top it with a big spoonful of mash. It isn’t as pretty, but my hungry family could not care less!