Turkey Shepherds Pie
This turkey shepherds pie *with mashed cauliflower* is the answer to your prayers for comfort food that’s healthy. Loaded with veggies, super easy to make and leftovers that taste even better the next day, you can’t beat this easy weeknight dish.
We all have our cravings, whether it’s for comfort food, sweets, salty snacks or whatever it is, we just need to give in sometimes! For me, I crave all of the above, but especially on days when it’s cold and rainy, I need something comforting.
A typical shepherds pie has starchy mashed potatoes on top, making it so filling after just a few bites. This one uses creamy mashed cauliflower instead, with herb and garlic cheese stirred in for extra flavor!
Combined with fresh herbs like thyme, sauteed onions and garlic and a good mix of vegetables, this becomes my new favorite comfort food.
I like to cut down on the fat and use ground turkey instead of ground beef or lamb, and keep the roux a simple mixture of broth and flour. I cut out the butter and didn’t want a typical tomato-based sauce, which makes this dish so much lighter, yet still perfectly filling.
It’s also super delish reheated as leftovers too or just eaten cold while you stand in your kitchen later that night after dinner sneaking in bites of it before your husband hears you and comes and eats the rest himself (which is exactly what I do).
Another great thing about this recipe: the only real work you have to do is cut the onion (unless you want to buy pre-chopped onion). The rest is already done for you! Simply brown the turkey, add minced garlic (use jarred for time saving), a bag of frozen veggies and a bag of frozen mashed cauliflower, plus a few other goodies, and you’re done!
I like to shop at Trader Joes, so I use their frozen mashed cauliflower and their frozen mixed veggies with peas, carrots and green beans.
- 1 TBS cooking oil
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 16oz bag frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 onion, chopped
- 6 sprigs thyme leaves, stems removed
- 3 TBS all purpose flour
- 1½ C chicken broth
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 16oz bag mashed cauliflower
- 1 pkg garlic and herb boursin cheese
- In an oven safe pan, heat oil over medium high and brown turkey.
- Add garlic, vegetables and onion, stir and sauté until vegetables thaw out and onions become translucent (about 8 minutes). Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add thyme leaves and flour. Stir to combine, then add in chicken broth. Stir to combine, then let it simmer, stirring occasionally until it thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Cook mashed cauliflower according to package directions. Stir in boursin cheese.
- Pour the cauli-cheese mix over turkey and veggies, then put the pan under the broiler for 3-5 minutes to let the top bubble and brown up.
- Sprinkle with extra thyme leaves and serve.
