Recipe courtesy of Food Network Kitchen

Lightened-Up Shepherd's Pie

Name: Lightened-Up Shepherd's Pie
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT1H15M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H35M0.000S
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound all-purpose potatoes, peeled and quartered; 1 medium head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cored and cut into 1-inch florets; 1 bunch scallions, finely chopped; 1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil; 3 carrots, halved lengthwise and cut into thin half-moons; 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 2 stalks celery, finely chopped; 2 medium onions, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; One 10-ounce package frozen peas, thawed

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Lean ground beef keeps the fat and calories low here. Cauliflower is mashed with the potatoes to keep carbs down, but still results in a creamy mash. Scallions add a pop of fresh flavor to the topping and tomato paste gives the filling a rich depth of flavor.

Level: Intermediate
Total: 1 hr 35 min

Prep: 15 min
Inactive: 5 min
Cook: 1 hr 15 min

Yield: 6 servings

Nutrition Info

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Ingredients

1 pound all-purpose potatoes, peeled and quartered

1 medium head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cored and cut into 1-inch florets

1 bunch scallions, finely chopped

1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 pound lean ground beef

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

3 carrots, halved lengthwise and cut into thin half-moons

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 stalks celery, finely chopped

2 medium onions, finely chopped

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

One 10-ounce package frozen peas, thawed

Directions

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Watch how to make this recipe.

Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and add enough cold water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cook until a knife just pierces through the potatoes, about 7 minutes. Add the cauliflower, bring to a boil and simmer until a knife easily slides through the vegetables, about 20 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water before draining.
Return the potatoes and cauliflower to the saucepan. Add the scallions and mash with a potato masher. Add 1/ 4 cup of the broth and continue mashing until almost smooth. If the mixture is dry and falling apart, add a few spoonfuls of the cooking water and continue mashing. The mixture should be thick and hold together. Season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the beef and spread out in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring and breaking into small bits, until browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a dish with a slotted spoon.
Add the oil to the same skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Add the carrots, garlic, celery, onions and some salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are browned and tender, about 10 minutes. Add the flour and tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and remaining 1 cup broth. Bring to a boil, and then stir in the peas and the beef and its accumulated juices. Remove from the heat.
In a 3-quart ceramic flameproof baking dish, spread the beef mixture in an even layer. Spoon the potato mixture evenly on top. Bake until the beef mixture is bubbling, about 20 minutes. Turn the oven to broil and broil until the top is golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Cook’s Note

For freezing and reheating, allow the casserole to cool completely. Divide into 6 even portions and store in a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag or container. Transfer to a microwave-safe plate, loosely cover with plastic wrap and microwave until hot, 4 to 5 minutes.

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