Hearty Homestyle Shepherd’s Pie with Garlic Mashed Cauliflower (Egg, Dairy, and Soya Free)

Hello, lovely readers!

Today, I’m excited to share a recipe that’s perfect for those cozy family dinners we all cherish – Hearty Homestyle Shepherd’s Pie with Garlic Mashed Cauliflower. This dish is a real comfort food staple, beautifully rich and warming. Plus, it’s completely free from eggs, dairy, and soya, making it ideal for those with allergies or dietary restrictions in your household.

Shepherd’s pie is a quintessential British classic that always reminds me of the wonderful family meals we had growing up. With a bit of a modern twist, I’m using lamb mince for that authentic flavor and topping it with a creamy, garlicky mashed cauliflower instead of the traditional mashed potatoes. This swap not only keeps it light but also caters wonderfully to those avoiding dairy.

**Ingredients:**

– 500g lamb mince
– 1 large onion, finely chopped
– 2 carrots, diced
– 2 celery sticks, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp tomato paste
– 1 cup beef broth (or vegetable broth)
– 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
– 1 tsp thyme leaves
– 1 tsp rosemary leaves
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 medium head cauliflower (about 800g), cut into florets
– 3 cloves garlic
– 2 tbsp olive oil (for mashed cauliflower)
– Salt to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

**Method:**

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).

2. **Cook the Filling:**
– Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
– Add finely chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
– Add diced carrots and celery, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
– Add minced garlic, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
– Add 500g lamb mince to the pan. Cook until browned, breaking up any lumps, about 7-10 minutes.
– Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp thyme and 1 tsp rosemary. Mix well.
– Season with salt and pepper to taste.
– Reduce the heat and let simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

3. **Prepare the Mashed Cauliflower:**
– While the lamb filling is simmering, steam the cauliflower florets and 3 cloves of garlic until tender, about 10-12 minutes.
– Transfer the steamed cauliflower and garlic to a food processor.
– Add 2 tbsp olive oil and blend until smooth. Season with salt to taste.

4. **Assemble the Pie:**
– Transfer the lamb filling into a baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
– Spoon the mashed cauliflower over the top, spreading it to cover the lamb mixture completely.
– Optionally, create a decorative pattern with a fork.

5. **Bake:**
– Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
– Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.

6. **Garnish & Serve:**
– Remove the shepherd’s pie from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
– Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

I love how the house fills with such comforting aromas while this shepherd’s pie bakes away in the oven. The combination of tender lamb and creamy cauliflower is absolutely divine and hits the spot every time. Plus, it’s packed with nutritious veggies, making it a balanced meal for the whole family.

If you’re mindful of your dietary needs or simply looking to try something new, I genuinely think this allergy-friendly shepherd’s pie will become one of your household favorites.

Happy cooking, folks! Let me know how it turns out and if your family loves it as much as mine does.

Until next time, keep those aprons on and those smiles wide!

Warmest,
Al

Ingredients

– 500g lamb mince
– 1 large onion, finely chopped
– 2 carrots, diced
– 2 celery sticks, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp tomato paste
– 1 cup beef broth (or vegetable broth)
– 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
– 1 tsp thyme leaves
– 1 tsp rosemary leaves
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 medium head cauliflower (about 800g), cut into florets
– 3 cloves garlic
– 2 tbsp olive oil (for mashed cauliflower)
– Salt to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Method

1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).

2. **Cook the Filling:**
– Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
– Add finely chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
– Add diced carrots and celery, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
– Add minced garlic, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
– Add 500g lamb mince to the pan. Cook until browned, breaking up any lumps, about 7-10 minutes.
– Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp thyme and 1 tsp rosemary. Mix well.
– Season with salt and pepper to taste.
– Reduce the heat and let simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

3. **Prepare the Mashed Cauliflower:**
– While the lamb filling is simmering, steam the cauliflower florets and 3 cloves of garlic until tender, about 10-12 minutes.
– Transfer the steamed cauliflower and garlic to a food processor.
– Add 2 tbsp olive oil and blend until smooth. Season with salt to taste.

4. **Assemble the Pie:**
– Transfer the lamb filling into a baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
– Spoon the mashed cauliflower over the top, spreading it to cover the lamb mixture completely.
– Optionally, create a decorative pattern with a fork.

5. **Bake:**
– Place the baking dish in the preheated oven.
– Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.

6. **Garnish & Serve:**
– Remove the shepherd’s pie from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
– Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.