Approved by Michaelangelo Larive, OurCheff
All the comfort of cottage pie (a rich beef and mushroom filling under a golden, cheesy topping) with whipped cauliflower in place of potatoes. It reheats beautifully, so it’s ideal for meal prep.
20 minPrep
45 minCook
1 hr 5 minTotal
4 (to 10)Servings
At a glance
- Diet: Keto, Low-carb, Gluten-free, Grain-free, Meal prep (Gluten-free if your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free (check the label).)
- Estimated per serving: 680 calories, 44 g protein, 15 g carbs (11 g net), 50 g fat
- Equipment: Large pot + steamer basket (or microwave-safe bowl), Food processor or immersion blender, 12-inch oven-safe skillet or 8×8-inch baking dish, Clean kitchen towel
Step-by-step photos
2Step 2
Purée the cauliflower in a food processor with the cream cheese, butter, ½ cup cheddar and ¼ tsp salt until smooth and fluffy. Set aside.
3Step 3
Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up, 6–8 minutes, until well browned. Spoon off all but about 1 tbsp of fat.
5Step 5
Stir in the Worcestershire, broth, thyme, ½ tsp salt and the pepper. Simmer 5–7 minutes, until the liquid reduces to a thick gravy that clings to the meat. Taste and adjust.
6Step 6
Spread the filling evenly in the skillet (or transfer to an 8×8 dish). Spoon the cauliflower mash over the top, spread it to the edges, and rough up the surface with a fork. Scatter the remaining ½ cup cheddar over it.
The full ingredient list and every step are in the recipe card below.
Chef tips
- Get a hard brown on the beef before the vegetables go in. That’s where the flavor comes from.
- Finely chopped mushrooms add bulk and savoriness without carbs. Kids and skeptics rarely notice them.
- Make ahead: assemble, cool, cover and refrigerate up to 2 days. Bake from cold at 375°F for 35–40 minutes.
Substitutions
- Lamb: Use ground lamb to make a keto shepherd’s pie.
- Dairy-free: Mash the cauliflower with 3 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp nutritional yeast. Skip the cheese topping.
- Lower fat: 90% lean beef works. Add an extra splash of broth so the filling stays saucy.
Storage and reheating
Refrigerate up to 4 days. Reheat portions covered in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes, or microwave 2–3 minutes. Freezes well for up to 3 months (the mash softens slightly). Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Keto Cottage Pie with Cheesy Cauliflower Mash
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the oven to 400°F. Steam the cauliflower 10–12 minutes, until very tender. Tip it onto a clean towel, let it steam off for 5 minutes, then wrap and squeeze out as much water as you can.
- Purée the cauliflower in a food processor with the cream cheese, butter, ½ cup cheddar and ¼ tsp salt until smooth and fluffy. Set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up, 6–8 minutes, until well browned. Spoon off all but about 1 tbsp of fat.
- Add the onion, celery and mushrooms and cook 6–8 minutes, until the mushroom liquid has cooked off. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook 1 minute, stirring, until the paste darkens.
- Stir in the Worcestershire, broth, thyme, ½ tsp salt and the pepper. Simmer 5–7 minutes, until the liquid reduces to a thick gravy that clings to the meat. Taste and adjust.
- Spread the filling evenly in the skillet (or transfer to an 8×8 dish). Spoon the cauliflower mash over the top, spread it to the edges, and rough up the surface with a fork. Scatter the remaining ½ cup cheddar over it.
- Bake 20 minutes, until bubbling at the edges. Broil 2–3 minutes for a golden top, watching closely. Rest 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Get a hard brown on the beef before the vegetables go in. That’s where the flavor comes from.
- Finely chopped mushrooms add bulk and savoriness without carbs. Kids and skeptics rarely notice them.
- Make ahead: assemble, cool, cover and refrigerate up to 2 days. Bake from cold at 375°F for 35–40 minutes.
- Lamb: Use ground lamb to make a keto shepherd’s pie.
- Dairy-free: Mash the cauliflower with 3 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp nutritional yeast. Skip the cheese topping.
- Lower fat: 90% lean beef works. Add an extra splash of broth so the filling stays saucy.
FAQs
What’s the difference between cottage pie and shepherd’s pie?
Cottage pie is made with beef and shepherd’s pie with lamb. The method is the same.
How many carbs are in keto cottage pie?
About 11 g net carbs per serving (estimated), mostly from the cauliflower mash, with smaller amounts from the cheese, mushrooms, Worcestershire and tomato paste.
Can I use frozen cauliflower?
Yes. Steam or microwave it until very tender and squeeze it extra well, since frozen cauliflower holds more water.
Approved by Michaelangelo Larive, OurCheff. Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central. Images on this page are AI-generated illustrations, not photos of the tested dish. How we make our recipes.
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