Keto Shepherd’s Pie Recipe with Cauliflower Mash

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This easy keto shepherd’s pie recipe is a family favorite during the cold winter months when slow-cooker comfort food is in high demand. It’s a hearty mix of beef, vegetables, and herbs topped with low-carb cast cauliflower mash and a generous amount of melted cheese. Cozy up to this keto version of a classic dish as it delivers a satisfying meal that warms both body and soul.

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Slow Cooker Comfort Food for Dinner

Shepherd’s pie is traditionally made in the oven, but have you tried employing your slow cooker for this homey comfort food?

I make this keto recipe for Shepherd’s Pie in a crockpot because I love easy crockpot meal prep. It’s as easy as adding all the ingredients to the slow cooker and using the set-it-and-forget-it approach until dinnertime.

However, before we get to the details, we must clarify one thing. Technically, this recipe is known as keto cottage pie. The only difference between a Shepherd’s pie and a cottage pie is the type of meat in the recipe. The original recipe for Shepherd’s pie contains ground lamb, while cottage pie uses a ground beef mixture.

If you’re a purist, by all means, use this recipe with lamb shoulder or stew meat instead. Lamb or beef, one thing is sure with this slow cooker recipe – it’s perfect for tougher cuts like chuck roast and lamb shoulder. So save your ground meat for other recipes like a taco skillet instead. These tougher cuts are often more economical and, with the help of your slow cooker, will yield delicious, juicy, and tender meals. 

How to Make Keto Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash

It’s time to grab that budget-friendly cut of meat and your beloved slow cooker, and get ready to make a flavorful Shepherd’s pie with the most delicious cheesy cauliflower mash topping.

You will love how easy this simple recipe comes together with very basic ingredients.

Gather all the low-carb ingredients, and you’ll be off to an excellent start for prepping a keto cauliflower shepherd’s pie in less than 20 minutes!

Ingredients You Need

• Chuck roast – A favorite for slow-cooking because it’s cheap and softens nicely after cooking long and slow. I suggest grass-fed chuck roast from White Oak Pastures.
• Carrots – They add a welcome splash of color, and some sweetness comes too. Don’t worry, though, this amount of carrots isn’t enough to throw you out of ketosis.
• Onion and garlic – These classic ingredients are a must in this low-carb Shepherd’s pie recipe. 
• Bone broth – I prefer a homemade beef broth and almost always have it in my freezer. However, Kettle and Fire makes an organic shelf-stable broth you can store in your pantry.
• Tomato paste – This mixes in the broth, which thickens, sweetens and gives more depth of flavor to the cooking liquid. You can also use tomato sauce, but you’ll need to bring it to a simmer and reduce the amount of liquid by half first to stick to the right consistency.
• Italian seasoning – Here, we have basil, thyme, oregano, and other herbs mixed in an Italian seasoning blend. It’s super yummy with meat and tomato paste! Enhance the recipe further with salt and pepper.
• Cauliflower mash – Using a creamy cauliflower mash instead of the traditional mashed potatoes is an important switch to keep this healthy Shepherd’s pie low-carb.
• Cheddar cheese – Get generous with your cheese! The more cheese – the more rich, tastier, and delicious the flavor of the finished dish. Plus, cheese adds an irresistible layer of comfort and indulgence that the whole family loves.

• Whole 30 – Follow the recipe, but omit the cheese towards the end. Ensure the broth and Italian seasoning do not contain any additives or starches. And ensure that the creamy mashed cauliflower is made with dairy-free milk such as coconut milk. 
• Paleo – For strict paleo, omit the cheese and follow the same suggestions as for Whole30. If dairy is tolerated, follow the recipe as is.
• GAPS – Follow the recipe as written, but use GAPS-compliant cheeses with a longer ferment, such as Monterey Jack, Colby, or Parmesan cheese.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps, and you’ll make this keto-friendly Shepherd’s pie perfectly the first time you try it!

1. Arrange the beef cubes in the crockpot of the slow cooker. Add carrots, onion, and garlic.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk broth and tomato paste. Pour this sauce mixture over the meat and vegetables.
3. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt and pepper evenly over all the ingredients.
4. Cover the slow cooker pot with a lid and turn it on. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. 
5. Add the mashed cauliflower topping to the beef and vegetables, spreading them evenly over the top. Sprinkle with an even layer of shredded cheese. 
6. Cover with the lid again and continue cooking on HIGH for 30 minutes or until the cheese melts completely.

Serve this savory pie warm with your favorite side dish.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 5 days or freezer for up to 3 months. 

Yum!

Nutritional Info for Keto Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

This low-carb Shepherd’s pie recipe yields six servings and has a whopping 39 grams of protein and only 9 grams of net carbs per serving! With macros like that, this meal is a dream come true for anyone following a low-carb diet. 

Each serving contains:

• 463 calories
• 39g protein
• 30g fat
• 14g total carbs
• 5g fiber
• 9g net carbs

Please note that the nutritional value will change if you substitute ingredients. Use a nutrition app to recalculate and reflect your changes.

Is Shepherd’s pie keto?

Traditional shepherd’s pie contains potatoes, flour, and peas, whether cooked in the slow cooker or stovetop.

Unfortunately, these ingredients are not conducive to a low-carb lifestyle. A serving of traditional Shepherd’s pie will have 40g of net carbs and counting!

However, the good news is that with simple swaps, you can enjoy this cozy comfort food with only a fraction of the carbs. Stick to low-carb vegetables and follow this recipe to make a delicious low-carb Shepherd’s pie.

Can I make this recipe in a regular oven instead of a slow cooker?

Yes, follow the recipe instructions to prepare the meat and veggies mixture.

Then, transfer the meat filling to a large casserole dish or cast iron skillet and spread the cauliflower mash in an even layer.

Sprinkle with cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top. 

What can I use if I don’t have Italian seasoning?

If you don’t have Italian seasoning on hand, you can make a DIY mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder. Combine a total of 2 tablespoons.

This simple combination is a great way to add flavor to the saucy meat mixture without adding extra carbs.

More Keto Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow cooker recipes offer a convenient and delicious way to follow a low-carb and keto diet while saving time in the kitchen.

I highly suggest making keto crockpot meals throughout the year because they can simplify your life!

You will love keto crack chicken and easy slow-cooker beef stew.

If you’re looking for some homey-goodness, treat yourself to slow cooker pot roast and keto beef stroganoff.

And don’t discount the rich flavors of a keto chicken noodle soup – the slow cooker version is just as delicious as one made on the stovetop. Pair it with keto dinner rolls to make it a complete meal.