Healthy & Light Shepherd's Pie

Funny story: I went to the grocery store on Wednesday to stock up after our vacation. My husband was craving shepherd's pie, and I had never made it before! But determined to make it for him, yummy and healthy, I went to the store. It was about 102 degrees outside. 

As I was checking out, the worker asked me what I was planning on cooking at night. I said "shepherd's pie!" Her eyes probably got to twice the size that they were, and she exclaimed "WHAT?!! IN THIS HEAT??" Umm, yes? I told her my husband wanted it, and she said she was impressed I was going to make it for him in this heat, and that we must not have kids yet. I just thought this was hilarious! Everyone tells me things will change when we have kids, and I expect it will! But right now, I love making the dishes my husband likes, in as healthy a way as possible. I figure, why not take advantage of this time now for me to cook and be a little home maker before kids get into the mix? Even in 102 degrees heat? I say yes to that! :) 

So, here is my healthier version of shepherd's pie. My first attempt at this dish and we both loved it! Here you go! 

Makes about 6-8 servings depending on how hungry you are!

 

Mashed potatoes: 

5-6 large yukon gold potatoes

1/2 cup greek yogurt

1 tsp crushed garlic

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp white or black pepper

 

Filling: 

1 lb grass fed ground beef

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cumin

1 zucchini, chopped

1 yellow squash, chopped

1/2 onion, diced

1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped

2 T tomato paste

1 cup chicken or beef broth (I only had chicken and it worked well!)

1 T olive oil

 

 

*Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F*

Firstly, peel and boil the potato until they are soft. While they are boiling, make the filling!

Cook up the ground beef on a skillet until it is cooked through. Add the salt and cumin, then transfer to a bowl. Add the olive oil to the skillet and sauté the chopped veggies. Once they are cooked, add the chicken broth and the tomato paste until the filling becomes nice and thick! Then, add the meat back in and mix it all together.

Once the potatoes are soft, drain them and mash them. I didn't have a potato masher and used a fork, which worked well! Once it cools a little, add the greek yogurt and the seasonings to the potatoes. Make sure to mix vigorously so the yogurt doesn't heat up with the potatoes! 

Spray or grease a casserole dish. Pour the meat and veggie mixture into the casserole dish and spread it out evenly. Then, pour the mashed potatoes on top. I had to kind of "dollop" the mashed potatoes on top of the beef mixture to flatten them out a bit! Kind of like a potato crust but on top. 

Place the casserole dish in the oven and cook for about 30 mins until the top of the potatoes becomes a little crispy! Then, cut into 6 or 8 square servings!

And there you go! This meal was absolutely delicious, a total comfort food meal, and is still healthier than it's traditional version! We enjoyed it so much, even with the heat! :) 

I hope you all get to try this recipe; if not now, maybe in the winter! Have a happy weekend everyone!