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Healthy Shepherd’s Pie

Wholesome Healthy Shepherd's Pie You'll Crave Again and Again

This Healthy Shepherd’s Pie is a lighter twist on a classic, featuring lean turkey and creamy potato-cauliflower topping.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Healthy
Calories: 256

Ingredients
  

For the Topping
  • 2 pounds Russet Potatoes Any potato can work; Yukon Gold is a great alternative.
  • 2 cups Cauliflower Florets Can replace potatoes for a lower-carb version.
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Optional but recommended; can substitute with nutritional yeast for a vegan option.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Substitutes include avocado oil, melted butter, or ghee.
For the Filling
  • 1 pound Ground Turkey Can swap with ground beef or chicken; leftover turkey also works well.
  • 1 medium Diced Onion Use shallots as an alternative for milder flavor.
  • 2 cloves Minced Garlic
  • 2 medium Diced Carrots Frozen carrots can be used; just ensure they are thawed and drained.
  • 1 cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth Any broth (beef or vegetable) can be used; aim for low or no salt options.
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste Can omit if unavailable, though this will alter taste.
  • 1 cup Frozen Peas Other vegetables like green beans can be included for variety.
  • 1 cup Frozen Corn

Equipment

  • casserole dish
  • large pot
  • skillet

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8x8-inch (or 9x13-inch) casserole dish with olive oil.
  2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add peeled, chopped russet potatoes along with cauliflower florets. Cook for about 10 minutes until both are soft and fork-tender. Drain the mixture well, then mash it together with olive oil, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, chicken broth, and grated Parmesan until smooth.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, warm a tablespoon of olive oil and add the ground turkey. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, stirring frequently for about 8-10 minutes. Add diced onions, minced garlic, and diced carrots, sautéing until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in salt, pepper, dried rosemary, thyme, along with low sodium chicken broth and tomato paste to the turkey mixture. Add in frozen peas and corn, mixing everything until well combined. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
  5. Spread the turkey filling evenly across the bottom of your greased casserole dish. Layer the creamy potato-cauliflower mash on top, smoothing it out with a spatula.
  6. Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the topping is golden brown.

Nutrition

Serving: 1a portionCalories: 256kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 22gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 650mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 30IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 10mg

Notes

Ensure to drain cooked potatoes and cauliflower thoroughly before mashing to avoid a watery topping. Consider using fresh herbs to elevate flavor.

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