This is a great comfort food dish.  Technically this should be called “Cottage Pie”.  Shepherd’s Pie is traditionally made with ground lamb and this version is made with beef. What is great about this dish is that the vegetables are just suggestions.  You can substitute your own favorites or whatever you have on hand.  Sneak extra greens like spinach or kale for added vitamins.  You can also substitute ground chicken or turkey for the ground pork.  This recipe was tested in my Healthy Cooking 101 – Basic Starters workshop and was highly rated.  Enjoy!

Paleo Shepherd's Pie
 
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Healthy, warm and comforting and can be adapted in a variety of ways. It makes a family size 9 x 13 portion.
Author:
Course: Dinner/ Comfort Foods
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. ground beef, browned (I use organic from Costco)
  • ½ lb. ground pork, chicken or turkey (browned)
  • 1½ cups diced carrots
  • 1½ cups diced mushrooms
  • 1 cup asparagus cut into 1" pieces
  • ½ cup diced red peppers
  • ½ cup diced onions
  • 1 medium sweet potato diced
  • 1 tsp. rosemary
  • 1 tsp. thyme
  • 1 tsp. minced garlic
  • 1 cup beef stock or bone broth
  • ¼ cup tapioca starch
  • 1 lb. yuca root (I use goya brand, frozen)
  • ½ head cauliflower cut into large pieces
  • 1 Tbsp. healthy fat of choice (I use avocado oil)
  • salt and pepper to taste (turmeric to taste optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°.
  2. Bring cauliflower and yuca to a boil.
  3. Brown the ground beef and pork, chicken or turkey in a large skillet. Remove and set aside.
  4. Sauté onions, peppers and onions until moisture is gone and slightly browned. Set aside.
  5. Add oil and sauté carrots, sweet potatoes, carrots, and asparagus until just softened.
  6. Add the meat mix and onion mix back to the skillet. Sprinkle with the tapioca starch and stir.
  7. Add the stock or broth. Cook over medium heat until slightly thickened. .
  8. Add rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Stir well.
  9. Place entire mixture into greased 9 x 13 baking dish.
  10. Remove boiled yuca and cauliflower and strain.
  11. Place in food processor and blend until smooth. This may need to be done in two batches.
  12. Add garlic into mixture while processing.
  13. Spread cauliflower and yuca over meat mixture until completely covered.
  14. (Can sprinkle additional herbs on top if desired)
  15. Bake for 20 minutes at 375° until slightly browned on top. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.