Super Low Carb Cottage Pie With Cauliflower Mash

This is a low-carb version of cottage pie, replacing the usual mashed potato topping with creamy cauliflower mash. The result? Absolutely mouthwatering.

I hope you’re having a great summer! This past week it actually cooled down to 65 degrees one evening here in New York. That’s when I made this low-carb cottage pie with cauliflower mash.

It’s a delicious comfort food for those days when you just want to curl up on the couch and watch a good movie with your family.

What’s the difference between cottage pie and shepherd’s pie?

Both are classic dishes of the United Kingdom made exactly the same way except traditional Gluten Free Cottage Pie is made with beef and Gluten Free Shepherd’s Pie is made with lamb.

Cottage pie has always been a favorite dinner here in my house.

But, since John and I have started following a low-carb diet, I decided to try a low-carb version of this recipe, replacing the usual mashed potato topping with my Creamy Cauliflower Mash Recipe.

The result? Absolutely mouthwatering.

For an extra rich finish, I love dotting the top of these casseroles with butter or even some Whipped Bone Marrow — trust me, it’s like adding a savory little surprise that takes the flavor over the top!

What are the benefits of cauliflower?

Did you know that cauliflower is considered a nutrition superstar? It’s rich in nutrients, vitamins (especially Vitamin C), minerals, and antioxidants. It’s said to help prevent cancer and boost heart health and brain health.

And cauliflower’s versatility in the kitchen knows no bounds.

It can be roasted for a delicious Cheesy Cauliflower With Ham Casserole or riced to make a low-carb Seasoned Cauliflower Rice With Bacon.

I’ve used it to create flavorful dishes like Gluten Free Cauliflower Flatbreads, easy and delicious Cauliflower And Carrot Purée, savory Low Carb Cauliflower Stuffing, and more.

It’s an ingredient that’s easy to love in all its forms.

And today, you can make cauliflower mash taste just like mashed potatoes that traditionally top cottage pie. Promise. I think you’re going to love this low-carb version.⠀⠀

Also, I switched out the Worcestershire sauce found in most cottage pie recipes for Red Boat. All of Red Boat’s products are gluten-free. They don’t contain wheat or wheat by-products and are produced in a gluten free facility. The sauce ingredients are quite simple: just anchovies and sea salt.

Ready to make this dish come to life? Let’s take a look at the ingredients so you can get cooking.

Ingredients you’ll need

For your topping

• a head of cauliflower
• butter 
• salt 
• pepper
• and half and half

For your meat

• extra-virgin olive oil
• an onion 
• a carrot (optional)
• garlic 
• ground beef

And for your gravy

•  tomato paste
•  Red Boat
• salt
• 1 cup gluten free beef stock or homemade bone broth (chicken broth or vegetable broth will work also)
• nutmeg
• parsley for garnish

And butter to dot on top of your cauliflower mash

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

Ready to cook up some healthy low-carb cottage pie? Here we go.

For cauliflower mash

First, steam your cauliflower florets until tender, about 10 minutes. Then purée the cauliflower in your food processor, adding the half-and-half, butter, salt, and pepper. If you want your cauliflower more creamy, add more half-and-half.

Now for the meat

Heat a little extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet. Add onion and carrot and cook on a low heat for 10 minutes. If you’re following a low-carb way of eating, you can leave out the carrots for an even lower carb count. Then, add garlic and cook for another minute. Next, add the ground meat and stir over medium heat, breaking up the meat with a spatula while it browns for 5 more minutes. Drain the beef mixture.

Low carb, gluten free gravy

Finally, you’re ready to make the gravy. For the base, you will need gluten-free beef stock. You can use store-bought gluten-free stock or make yours Homemade Bone Broth. Pour the stock into the skillet over the beef mixture and add the Red Boat sauce, tomato paste, salt, and nutmeg. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.

Then, transfer the meat with its gravy to a casserole dish. Top with your cauliflower mash. Dot the cauliflower with two tablespoons of butter. Bake for 40-50 minutes until golden. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve.

What goes with cottage pie?

This low carb cottage pie with cauliflower mash casserole could be a complete meal on it’s own. I suggest just serving it with a simple side salad and one of my tasty veggie dishes such as, Sautéed Broccoli With Garlic.

Pro tips and recipe notes

• If you don’t have Red Boat, you can use Worcestershire sauce instead.
• You can keep leftover cottage pie in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Just let it cool to room temperature before putting it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

Doesn’t that look yummy? I can’t wait for you to taste it. The bonus is that you’ll probably have more than enough for dinner. So pack up the leftovers and you’ll have a nutritious, low-carb lunch for the next day all set and ready to take to work.

And if you make this low-carb cottage pie with cauliflower mash, share your snap on Instagram and tag #glutenfreehomestead. I always love seeing your photos.

More recipes you might like

One-Pan Chicken Alfredo – This dreamy keto chicken Alfredo is a nutritious, protein-packed, and delicious one-pan meal.

Quick And Easy Beef Ragoût With Tomatoes And Pearl Onions – Every mouthful explodes with flavor in this quick and easy beef ragoût.

Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs – These ribs simmer in your slow cooker in a beautiful red wine sauce until the meat is so tender and juicy it literally falls right off the bone.

Pork Tenderloin Cordon Bleu – The tenderloin is stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese, tender roasted to perfection, and smothered in a creamy cordon bleu sauce.

British Style Meat Pie (Low Carb And Gluten Free) – Follow my cooking tips in this recipe and your meat will turn out mouthwateringly tender in a luscious gravy with a fun cauliflower crust.

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Super Low Carb Cottage Pie With Cauliflower Mash

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This is a low-carb version of cottage pie, replacing the usual mashed potato topping with cauliflower. The result? Absolutely mouthwatering. If you’re following a low-carb way of eating, you can eliminate the carrots for an even lower carb count.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Prep Time 35 minutes minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 225kcal

Author Barbara Bianchi

Ingredients

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 4 tablespoons butter divided
• 2 teaspoons salt divided
• dash of pepper
• 1/4 cup of half and half
• 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion minced
• 1 carrot diced (optional)
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 3 pounds of ground beef
• 1 tablespoon gluten free tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Red Boat
• 1 cup gluten free beef stock or homemade bone broth
• dash of nutmeg
• parsley

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400℉.
• First steam cauliflower florets until tender, about 10 minutes. Then drain and place in the bowl of your food processor fitted with the large chopping blade. Add half and half, 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 teaspoon of salt and a dash of pepper. Process until fluffy and set aside.
• Next to brown the meat, heat oil in a large skillet. Then add onion and carrot (optional) and cook on low heat for 10 minutes. Then add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Finally, add ground beef and stir over a medium heat, breaking up meat with a spatula for 5 more minutes. Drain meat mixture.
• For the delicious gravy, pour in your stock, Red boat, and add tomato paste, 1 teaspoon of salt, and nutmeg. Stir. Simmer until slightly thickened for 5 minutes.
• At this time, spoon meat mixture with the gravy into a 2-quart casserole dish. Spoon the cauliflower mash around the top. Dot the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter around the cauliflower. Finally, bake for 40-50 minutes. Ovens may vary so check after 40 minutes and bake until the casserole is done to your liking.

Notes

If you don't have Red Boat, you can use Worcestershire sauce instead.

This low carb cottage pie with cauliflower mash casserole could be a complete meal on it's own. I suggest just serving it with a simple side salad or sautéed broccoli.

You can keep leftover cottage pie in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Just let it cool to room temperature before putting it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

Nutrition

Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.5g

did you make this recipe? We want to see! Take a pic, and tag @glutenfreehomestead on Instagram.