Shepherd’s Pie with Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

A comforting shepherd’s pie featuring savory ground beef and vegetables topped with creamy garlic mashed cauliflower for a low-carb twist. This British beef recipe (low carb, gluten free), ready in about 60 minutes, layers ground beef, onion, and carrot into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Add this recipe to your weekly plan" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 4 cups cauliflower florets
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped

The pie dish we’d bake this in → Best Pie Dishes in 2026: Glass, Ceramic and Metal Pie Pans for a Crisp Bottom Crust

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef, 1 diced medium onion, and 1 diced large carrot. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the beef until browned and vegetables are softened.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme. Simmer for 10 minutes until sauce thickens and vegetables are tender. Stir in 1 cup frozen peas in the last 2 minutes.
3. Step 3: While the filling simmers, steam 4 cups cauliflower florets until very tender, about 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: Transfer steamed cauliflower to a food processor with 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp butter, and 1/4 cup heavy cream. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
5. Step 5: Spoon the beef and vegetable mixture into a 9-inch baking dish. Spread the garlic mashed cauliflower evenly over the top.
6. Step 6: Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the top begins to brown slightly. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.