Healthy Shepherd’s Pie (Paleo Gluten Free) 
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
Healthy Shepherd’s Pie (Paleo Gluten Free) – This comforting classic is a family favorite! A savory meat and veggie mixture is topped with a potato cauliflower blend and baked until golden. This Lightened-up Shepherd’s Pie is delicious and hearty!
This Healthy Shepherd’s Pie recipe is for my beautiful daughter, who requests this for her birthday dinner every year. I have made it countless times and it’s become a regular in our rotation, and not just as a birthday meal!
My kids get a mention here and there on this blog, but I rarely talk in length about them. In honor of her upcoming birthday (and because I’m feeling all kinds of sentimental), I thought I would give a little shout out to my first born. See, she has probably been my biggest fan since I started this blog. Blogging may seem like a weird profession to some, but she has never been anything but encouraging, excited, and supportive of my crazy endeavor! When it comes to hashtags, producing videos, and anything technical of the sort, she is my best advisor and helper. She is wicked smart, confident, beautiful, fiercely determined and I have no doubt that she is going to do amazing things!
Why We Love This Lightened-Up Shepherd’s Pie
It’s hearty, healthy, and macro friendly.
The potato/cauli mash is light and creamy and the perfect compliment to the rich, savory filling.
A family favorite and crowd pleaser, that even kids love!
Can be made for meal prep – this deconstructed Meal Prep version is another fun way to enjoy Shepherd’s Pie for lunch on the go.
It is Whole30 compliant and perfect for anyone following a Paleo or gluten free diet.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef
- Onion
- Celery
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Tomato Paste
- Broth
- Coconut Aminos
- Potatoes
- Cauliflower
How to Make Shepherd’s Pie
- Start by making the Potato Cauliflower Mash in the Instant Pot. I love this combination of potatoes and cauliflower but you could use a pure cauliflower mash or plain mashed potatoes instead if preferred.
- While the mash is cooking in the Instant Pot, make the meat mixture. Begin by cooking the veggies and then adding the meat. Once browned, add the tomato paste, coconut aminos, and broth. Let it all simmer until the liquid reduces.
- Pour the meat mixture into a casserole or pie dish and top with the whipped potato cauli mash. Bake in the oven and then switch to the broiler for the last few minutes.
Are White Potatoes Whole30 Compliant?
Yes, you can have white potatoes on a Whole30 plan. Obviously they’re a very starchy vegetable and should be consumed in moderation. Just don’t go cutting them into french fry shapes and deep frying them! If you don’t feel comfortable including white potatoes in your Whole30, try cauliflower mash as the topping in this recipe.
Shepherd’s Pie Variations
- Try using any ground meat in place of the ground beef. Ground bison, venison, lamb, or turkey are all good choices.
- Substitute these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes for the Potato Cauliflower Mash if desired. Both are Whole30 compliant.
- Add some frozen green beans or green peas to the meat mixture for additional veggies.
- Try my Shepherd’s Pot Pie for a twist on Shepherd’s Pie and Pot Pie.
Whole30 Shepherd's Pie (Paleo)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 3/4 cup diced carrots
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 1 1/2 cup low sodium broth, beef or chicken
- 3 cups potato cauliflower mash, see recipe below
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add carrots, onions, and celery. Cook and stir for about 5 minutes, until veggies are beginning to soften.
- Add garlic and ground beef to the skillet. Break up beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in tomato paste, coconut aminos, and broth. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for about 10 minutes, until most of the liquid is evaporated. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.
- Pour meat mixture into a casserole or pie dish and spread Potato Cauliflower Mash over top. Bake in 375 degree oven for 20 minutes.
- For the last 5 minutes of baking time, spread some butter (or ghee) on top of the mash and switch the oven to broil. Broil for 3-5 minutes, until top is golden brown.
Nutrition
*this post contains affiliate links
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Read my full disclosure here
Vegetarian
Keto Friendly
Dairy Free
12 Comments on “Healthy Shepherd’s Pie (Paleo Gluten Free)”
Thanks mom! And good job creating healthy foods that we actually like! 😉
So hearty! Definitely a family fave!
Delicious
Fixed this for a Sr Patrick’s Day Celebration! It was delicious!!
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
This recipe was delicious. Thanks for the share. We doubled the veggies with the meat though. And so glad we did. Also used lite coconut milk with the cauliflower and potato mash instead of ghee. Then puréed in the blender and it worked out great.
Thanks so much, Chantal! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a rating and review!
Added green beans
I boiled some garlic cloves with the potatoes and cauliflower as I don’t have a instapot.
Meat, added himalayan paprika. Nom nom nom!
Omg, this is fantastic.. I’ll definitely be making this again.
Thanks so much, Molly!
Loved this recipe! I’m allergic to nightshades so I had to omit the tomato paste and potato for me. I made two casseroles. One for my family with the mashed potatoes on top and a smaller one for me with just cauliflower. I can only imagine how great it would have been as written, but this recipe is a winner even with my modifications due to my dietary restrictions.
We make this recipe all the time! Do you think it would freeze well? If so, how and then how long might it take to bake after?