Pure Living's Shepherd's Pie

Who doesn't love a tasty and filling (and budget friendly) Shepherd's Pie? Well, what if I gave you a lower-cal and low-carb version? Yep, you heard me! How do we do it? Well we swap the potatoes for cauliflower. Don't wrinkle your nose because you really can't really tell the difference once it's all put together. Trust me, Shane doesn't even really like cauliflower, but he eats this up! 

Pure Living's Shepherd's Pie

We let the broiler get away from us on this one

Prep time: Approx. 15 mins
Cooking time: Approx. 50 mins
Total time: Approx. 65 mins

INGREDIENTS
1-1.5 lb lean or extra lean ground beef
1 head of cauliflower
1 large can of creamed corn (or regular corn)
1 small onion
3 cloves garlic
2-3 tbsp butter
Salt & pepper to taste
Garlic powder

DIRECTIONS
1. In a frying pan on medium-high heat add ground beef, onions, and garlic and cook until ground beef is brown. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If I want a bit more taste I'll add cayenne and chili powder, but you can play around with spices and herbs. When cooked through, drain excess fat from meat using a colander. Set aside to cool.
2. While the meat is cooling, cut cauliflower into pieces and put in a microwaveable dish. Add about an inch of water and cook on high for about 15 minutes or until a fork can easily pierce it (if you don't have a microwave or don't like doing veg in one you can steam using a steamer or however else you do your veg). Keep in mind, the softer the cauliflower the easier it will be to mash.
3. Drain excess water from the cauliflower and transfer to a bowl. Add butter and mash with potato masher (or fork) until smooth. Season with salt & pepper.
4. In a 3 quart oven safe pan add meat and spread until evenly distributed. Add creamed corn and then top with cauliflower mash.
5. Cook in a 350 F oven for 45 minutes and broil for about 5 (or until top is golden brown).
6. Let the shepherd's pie rest at least 10 mins before serving.
7. Enjoy!

You might be wondering why I use cream corn versus normal canned corn? Well, I find normal corn is a bit too dry. This is a great trick my mom taught me. Also, if you need to stretch the meal further you can mix kidney or black beans in with the meat. And if you have a really picky eater in your household, try mixing 1-2 small potatoes into the cauliflower mash before transitioning to total cauliflower.

Now here are a few of the reasons this is a great dish.

First, I don't know the actual calorie count on typical shepherd's pie, but with all those potatoes it has got to be high! This version is lighter and with all that cauliflower on top you're getting an amazing dose of vitamins and minerals in every serving. If you really want to amp up the nutrition, I sometimes add carrots or mushrooms or any other veggie hanging out in the fridge begging to be used.

Second, this is a total make ahead meal. I usually prep it Sunday and plan to have it Monday or Tuesday night. It makes for an easy and healthy week night dinner. Whoever gets home first pops it in the oven and it's done.

Third, it makes enough to give us 4-6 servings (depending on who's eating) and is awesome leftovers or reheated the next day for lunch.

So there you have it a healthy, easy, and budget friendly meal.

Pura vida!

Marisa