Lighter Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie is a classic dish in Ireland and screams cozy, comfort food. Traditional recipes generally call for lamb/beef, a decadent gravy, and rich mashed potatoes. Our recipe is a little different and lighter but still keeps all of the warm and cozy flavors you love!

Lighter Shepherd’s Pie – 8 servings 

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb extra lean ground turkey (97% lean) 
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp salt 
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce 
• 2 tbsp flour 
• 2 tbsp tomato paste 
• 1 cup low-sodium beef broth 
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables 

Topping:

• 1 russet potato, peeled and chopped
• 3 cups cauliflower florets 
• 1 tbsp butter 
• 2 oz Neufchatel cheese (reduced fat cream cheese) 
• ½ tsp salt 
• ½ tsp garlic powder 
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese 

Directions

For the filling:

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Brown ground turkey, and cook 5 minutes until completely brown. Add onions and garlic, cook until softened, 1-2 minutes. Add seasonings and stir to combine. 
2. Add flour and tomato paste, stir well until no clumps of tomato paste remain. 
3. Add broth and frozen vegetables. Bring mixture to a simmer and allow to cook 5-10 minutes while preparing the topping. 

For the topping: 

1. In a large microwave safe bowl add potatoes and cauliflower with ½ cup water. Cover and microwave for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway. These should be very soft and mashable when done cooking 

2. Remove from microwave and drain excess water. Add butter and cream cheese and cover again. Let sit on counter for 5 minutes to allow to melt. Mash until it forms a smooth mixture. Add seasonings and set aside. 

To assemble:

1. Spray a casserole dish with non-stick spray. Transfer meat mixture into casserole dish. Top with mashed mixture and smooth to cover the top. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until bubbly and brown.