This Paleo Shepherd's Pie is pure comfort food! Packed with meat and veggies and so delicious! Gluten free, dairy free, and Whole30.
I did not grow up on Shepherds Pie, so when my husband requested it I looked at a lot of different recipes to see what exactly was in it. There are a lot of different versions- some with more of a cream sauce in the meat mixture and some with tomatoes. I based my recipe off Alton Brown's recipe. I have had great success making his recipes in the past so I knew that was a good starting point. It wasn't too hard making it paleo. I swapped out the regular potatoes for sweet potatoes, but you can use regular if you want or mashed cauliflower for a lower carb version. I think the sweet potatoes work perfectly though. A couple other small changes like leaving the corn and flour out and swapping the Worcestershire sauce for coconut aminos and I had a paleo version of this classic dish.
This savory, meaty dish is so delicious! It's comfort food, but not the kind that weighs you down and makes you feel bad afterward. I use lard in the mashed sweet potatoes- it makes them rich and adds a depth of flavor that is irresistible. I love Fatworks Lard because it is from pasture raised pigs and Thrive Market is my favorite place to buy it from because it's the best price! The fresh herbs are a great addition and balance out the richness of the sweet potatoes.
I like to bake my sweet potatoes a day in advance- it makes the dish come together fast on the day you make it. I just place them in the oven at 400° for an hour. I leave the skin on and mash them with the lard and salt while they are still warm. Of course, you can cook the sweet potatoes how ever you want. This is made in a 8x11 pan and I think that makes it the perfect thickness. I know that's not the most common pan size so you can use a 13x9 and it will just come out a little thinner- it won't change the flavor at all.
You will love this comforting, delicious, healthy pie! So many layers of amazing flavors that work together to create a meal the whole family will love. Easy to make, gluten free, dairy free, and Whole30.
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Paleo Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes cooked
- 2 tablespoons ghee
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 onion diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° and grease a 11x8 pan.
- In a large bowl, mash potatoes, ghee, and salt together. Set as smooth as possible. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the onion with the salt, garlic, and carrots. Cook for 10 minutes until veggies have softened.
- Add beef and cook for 5 minutes or until mostly cooked through.
- Add pepper, thyme, rosemary, tomato paste, and coconut aminos. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour the meat mixture into the prepared pan.
- Top with mashed sweet potatoes and bake for 30 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Sarah says
Totally delicious and it was a huge win with my 2 and 3.5 year olds! I didn't have enough mince so I used 500 g lean mince, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 5 mushrooms and 1/2 zucchini instead. It was so beautiful and full of flavour. This will absolutely be a regular recipe in my house. Thank you!
Sarah Peterson says
Made this tonight and it was SOOO GOOD! hearty, filling, savory and sweet... Great comfort food for the beginning of fall! Delish. Not lengthy to make- especially when using a good processor. I will definitely keep this as a go to meal.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying it, Sarah! I'm so glad you like it 🙂
Cheryl says
Have you tried making this with something other than lard? It's not something I would have in hand.
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Cheryl- you can use any fat you like. Coconut oil, avocado oil, ghee, grass fed butter. Hope you enjoy!
Mary Estelle Thornton says
I want to try this recipe.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Mary! I hope you do!
Annie says
Your blog + recipes never disappoint and I am looking forward to trying this one! How many servings make would you say that this makes? Also, can you please recommend a substitute for the lard? Thanks!
Jessica DeMay says
Thank you so much for the kind words, Annie! I would say it serves about 8- it makes quite a bit. You can use any fat in place of the lard. Ghee or coconut oil would both work great. Hope you enjoy!
April Spinetti says
Just made this last night and we both loved it! Cannot wait to try more of your recipes. Thanks so much for sharing them 🙂
Jessica DeMay says
You're welcome, April! Thank you for trying my recipe and for the great feedback! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and I hope you enjoy some of my other recipes 🙂
Cailee says
Oh my gosh! Jessica, this looks amazing! Seriously, recipe on point! I just pinned it to save for later! I haven't had Shepard's Pie in forever! I must change that! And I love that it's Paleo! Sweet potatoes are my FAVE! YUM! Thanks for sharing!
Xoxo Cailee
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Cailee! I hope you love it- thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Sounds so delicious Jessica! Love the sweet potato top!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, Mary Ann!