Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower

This vegetarian shepherd's pie, with veggies and mushrooms in a rich sauce, is topped with cheesy mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes.

• Preparation Time: 35 mins
• Cooking Time: 29 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 4 mins
• Calories: 144 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• ½ onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• cooking spray
• 1 teaspoon ground thyme
• ½ cup frozen peas
• ½ small red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
• ½ head cauliflower
• 2 tablespoons fat-free half-and-half, or as needed
• 2 ½ cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
• 8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms, chopped if very large

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place the cauliflower into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until fork-tender, 8 to 12 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 2

Coarsely chop cauliflower and place in a food processor. Pulse until cauliflower is mashed, 7 or 8 pulses. Add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; pulse 2 or 3 times until blended. Pour in 2 tablespoons half-and-half and pulse 2 or 3 times until cauliflower mixture is the consistency of mashed potatoes. Add 1 tablespoon half-and-half if mixture is too thick.

Step 3

Pour 1/2 cup vegetable broth into a skillet; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add carrots, celery, onion, and red bell pepper. Reduce heat to medium; cover. Cook until vegetables begin to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add mushrooms; cover and cook for 1 minute.

Step 4

Stir peas, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper into the skillet. Add more broth if needed. Stir in tomato paste and flour until well combined. Pour in the remaining vegetable broth. Raise heat to medium-high. Cook and stir until liquid has thickened and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 5

Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Spray a glass pie plate or baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 6

Transfer carrot mixture to the prepared baking dish. Gently spread the mashed cauliflower mixture over the top. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 7

Broil until cauliflower is light brown, 3 to 4 minutes.