Keto Shepherd’s Pie {Keto Comfort Food!}

Craving comfort food? Enjoy the classic comfort food recipe with this Keto Shepherd’s Pie! Each serving contains only 4g net carbs.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll make a small commission if you purchase through one of my links (at no extra cost to you).

Shepherd’s Pie is classic comfort food. Originating from England, it’s typically made with lamb or mutton, but in the U.S. it’s usually made with beef. It’s also typically made with a thick (and carb-heavy) layer of creamy mashed potatoes, but in the keto world, those potatoes are substituted with creamy keto mashed cauliflower potatoes instead.

As a result of substituting cauliflower for potatoes, each serving of this Shepherd’s Pie contains only 4g net carbs!

Keto Shepherd’s Pie

…and why you’ll love it!

• It has all the wonderful flavors of the original with only 4g net carbs per serving.
• It only takes about 40 minutes to make, so it’s a great meal to whip up when you’re short on time.
• It’s a hearty and warming meal, perfect for fall and winter!

Ingredients Needed to Make Easy Low Carb Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredient quantities for this keto casserole are located in the recipe card at the end of the post.

• Cooking spray
• Cauliflower rice
• Heavy whipping cream
• Butter
• Shredded Cheddar cheese
• Olive oil
• Ground beef (80/20)
• Fresh tomato – if you have concerns about this ingredient being keto, see the “Are Tomatoes, Carrots, and Peas Keto?” section below
• Carrots – if you have concerns about this ingredient being keto, see the “Are Tomatoes, Carrots, and Peas Keto?” section below
• Peas – if you have concerns about this ingredient being keto, see the “Are Tomatoes, Carrots, and Peas Keto?” section below
• Onion
• Garlic
• Beef or chicken broth
• Worcestershire sauce
• Xanthan gum – see the “What is Xanthan Gum?” section below for how this ingredient contributes to this 
• Salt
• Pepper
• Dried thyme
• Paprika

How to Make This Easy Keto Shepherd’s Pie Recipe {Quick Overview}

This is just a quick overview of some of the steps involved in making the shepherd’s pie. For the recipe in detail, including exact measurements used at each step, scroll to the recipe card at the end of the post.

You’ll start by making the topping, which involves pulsing cooked cauliflower rice with heavy whipping cream, butter, Cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and dried thyme in a food processor.

TIP: Resist the urge to eat the topping straight out of the food processor. 😉 It’s SO good! You can definitely make it on its own for a delicious side dish.

Next you’ll make the filling, starting with cooking the ground beef and vegetables.

Make a broth with the chicken or beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and xanthan gum. Add to skillet.

After the mixture thickens, transfer it to an 8″x8″ casserole dish. Spread on the topping, then bake for five minutes or until the topping browns slightly. (You’re basically just warming up the topping and melting the cheese at this step.)

What is Xanthan Gum?

Xanthan gum is a keto kitchen staple because it’s perfect for thickening soups, sauces, and drinks. While it can be omitted from this recipe, the filling will be runnier and not quite the same. One bag of xanthan gum will last a long time, so it’s worth the (small) investment.

Are Tomatoes, Carrots, and Peas Keto?

I’ve posted a few recipes, like my Keto Chicken Fried Rice, that contain a small amount of ingredients you don’t typically see in keto recipes, like peas or carrots. Whenever I do, I get the occasional comment that the recipe “isn’t keto.”

Keto is a metabolic process brought on by the absence of carbs (glucose), so for that reason, eating a very small amount of ingredients like tomatoes, carrots, and peas is completely fine for the vast majority of people as long as you keep your overall carb intake low enough to induce ketosis.

Can I Eat Shepherd’s Pie on the Keto Diet?

You can eat shepherd’s pie on the keto diet as long as you use low carb ingredients in the recipe. You must avoid using potatoes, milk, and heavy amounts of carrots, onions and peas.

How Do I Make Shepherd’s Pie Keto-Friendly?

You can make shepherd’s pie keto-friendly as long as you replace the high carb ingredients with low carb ingredients. Most importantly, you must substitute the potatoes with cauliflower and reduce the total amount of carrots and peas in the recipe. Also, you must use heavy whipping cream instead of regular milk. This will reduce the net carb count to an acceptable level, thereby, making shepherd’s pie keto-friendly and healthy.

Cauliflower is keto-friendly and serves as an excellent low carb substitute for potatoes. You can also utilize it in keto cauliflower mashed potatoes, keto cauliflower mac and cheese, healthy pizza casserole, and cauliflower cheese casserole.

More Keto Ground Beef Recipes

Learn how to make keto ground beef recipes by following some simple guidelines in our recipes.

• Follow this easy-to-make keto ground beef casserole recipe for a delicious treat!
• Learn how to make taco casserole keto-friendly. This recipe is a game changer!
• If you like keto burgers, then you are gonna love this easy low carb cheeseburger casserole recipe.
• Low carb tacos are easy to make and even easier to devour! Our recipe uses our amazing keto taco seasoning and our keto taco cups recipe.
• Learn how to make keto chili by following these simple instructions. Again, our homemade chili seasoning is second to none.
• For parties and events, you can eat meatball casserole on the keto diet and they are delicious!

Nutrition Facts for Keto Shepherd’s Pie

Each serving (six servings) contains:

• 255 calories
• 17g fat
• 20g protein
• 4g net carbs

More Keto Casserole Recipes

Love casseroles? Check out these easy keto casserole recipes:

• Enjoy this Keto Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole!
• You can make low carb tuna casserole by following this recipe.
• Learn how to make keto mac and cheese. This is one of the ultimate keto comfort foods!
• Enjoy any number of keto ham recipes, especially this casserole.
• You can eat pizza on the keto diet! And this delicious low carb pizza casserole is one of the best.
• Enjoying a low carb breakfast casserole with the whole family is always a must.
• Cheesy Keto Ground Beef Casserole with Tomatoes [Ready in 25 Minutes!]

Like This Post? Give it a Share!

I hope you love this low carb Shepherd’s Pie recipe! If you liked this post, I would so appreciate you giving it a share by using the social sharing icons. THANK YOU!

Keto Shepherd’s Pie

Craving comfort food? Enjoy the classic comfort food recipe with this Keto Shepherd's Pie! Each serving contains only 4g net carbs.

4.88 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Western

Keyword: keto casserole recipes, keto shepherds pie, low carb shepherd’s pie

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 255kcal

Ingredients

• Cooking spray

Topping

• 2 cups (16 oz) cauliflower rice
• 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1/8 tsp dried thyme

Filling

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef 80/20
• 1 cup chopped fresh tomato
• 1/2 cup diced carrots
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 3/4 cup beef or chicken broth
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 500 F.
• Spray an 8- x 8-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

For Topping

• Cook cauliflower rice in microwave on HIGH for 3-5 minutes, or until cauliflower rice is tender. Transfer cauliflower rice to a food processor or blender container. Add heavy whipping cream, butter, Cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and thyme.
• Pulse mixture until very smooth; set aside.

For Filling

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, stirring occasionally to break up clumps. Add tomato, carrots, peas, onion, and garlic. Cook for another 3-5 minutes or until vegetables soften, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, combine broth, Worcestershire sauce, and xanthan gum in a measuring cup. When vegetables are tender, add broth mixture to skillet. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until mixture thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer filling mixture to prepared 8- x 8-inch pan. Spread topping evenly over filling. Sprinkle with paprika.
• Bake at 500° for 5 minutes or until topping browns slightly.

Nutrition Facts

Keto Shepherd’s Pie

Amount Per Serving

Calories 255 Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Fat 17g26%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Fiber 2g8%

Protein 20g40%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutrition facts are included as a courtesy only. They are accurate to the best of our knowledge based on the ingredients and brands used, but their accuracy is not guaranteed. If applicable, sugar alcohols have already been removed from the total carb count.

More Low Carb Family Meals