This Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash Topping is a deliciously healthy, slimmed down version of the classic comfort food dish.
I’m gonna come clean guys. Sometimes there’s a little trickery involved in my cooking and the dishes I present at my table. But it’s trickery performed for a good reason. You know, like to benefit someone’s health.
And y’all know who that someone is, right? B-I-N-G-O! Mr. Picky! I hate calling him out all the time (well, not really), but he’s so easy to make fun an example of.
He’s always saying things like, “wow, WE really have to eat healthier.” You know that “we” he’s referring to is really him, right?
And then when I try to help him out on his quest for healthy eating, he’ll say something silly like, “well, you know I don’t like that. Why’d you add that? Now, I can’t eat it.”
I try folks, I try.
So, let’s address the elephant in the room here, shall we? Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash Topping.
Do you see what’s wrong here? Anything immediately popping out as something Mr. Picky would have a real problem with. Why yes! The cauliflower topping.
I’ve known Tom for more than half my life and I’ve NEVER, not once, seen him even entertain the thought of eating a piece of cauliflower.
So even before attempting to feed him this pie, a few weeks back when he was away, I tried it out on our neighbor David. I said it was shepherd’s pie. I never mentioned it was a healthy version.
David said it was one of the best dinners he ever ate. Green light to proceed folks.
Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash Topping
- frozen riced cauliflower
- Boursin cheese
- olive oil
- yellow onion
- carrots
- garlic
- ground turkey
- kosher salt and pepper
- all-purpose flour
- reduced sodium chicken broth
- tomato paste
- Worcestershire sauce
- thyme
- rosemary
- corn
- frozen peas
- parsley
How to Make this Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash Topping
I swapped out the usual beef or lamb for ground turkey, added carrots, corn, peas, fresh thyme and rosemary. I also substituted cauliflower mash which has about a fourth of the carbs and twice the amount of fiber for traditional mashed potatoes.
I’ve softened the blow of straight up cauliflower mash with the addition of some Boursin cheese, an idea I got from Cooking Light Magazine.
A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do! Baby steps.
If that doesn’t entice him to even give it a try, he’s hopeless. Wish me luck!
Please let me know if you give the recipe a try. And if you have any questions about the recipe, just drop a comment below. Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie with Cauliflower Mash Topping
I used Shallot & Chive Boursin Cheese for my cauliflower mash, but any flavor will work.
The ground turkey and cauliflower mash really make this dish healthier than the traditional shepherd’s pie. If you wanted to be a “Tom” you could always substitute ground beef and regular mashed potatoes.
More Delicious Comfort Food Recipes to Enjoy
Ground Turkey Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower Mash Topping
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Cauliflower Mash
- 2 10 oz. pkg. frozen riced cauliflower
- 1 6.5 oz. package Boursin cheese
Filling
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp. flour
- 1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
- 1 Tbsp, tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp. fresh rosemary leaves
- 1/2 cup corn
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas
- parsley, finely chopped for sprinkling on top
Instructions
Cauliflower Mash
- Microwave the cauliflower according to the package directions. Combine the cauilflower and Boursin cheese in a food processor until smooth. Set aside.
Filling
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Add olive oil to a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and the carrots and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the garlic and continue to cook for one minute. Add the ground turkey, salt and pepper and cook until no longer pink, breaking the meat up with a spoon.
- Sprinkle the meat with the flour, stirring until combined. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme and rosemary. Stir until well combined. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the mixture thickens, about 8-10 minutes,
- Add the corn and the peas and mix to combine. Spread the mixture in a 9x9 baking dish. Top with the cauliflower mash, spreading to the edges. Sprinkle top with parsley, if desired.
- Bake for 25 minutes until cauliflower mash begins to brown and mixture appears to be bubbling. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Updated: This post was first published here in February 2019. I decided it was worthy of a re-share, so I’ve updated the content and added some notes to the post above.
Haha! I also live with a Mr. Picky, so I feel your struggle Mary Ann! The cauliflower would be a hard sell for my hubby, but this looks so creamy, I think I could sell him on it! And I just read that Cooking Light mag this weekend, and loved the idea of adding Boursin to the mash! Have a great week!
The struggle is real Leanne! That mash! If he would only give it a try!
I love cauliflower so much I can’t imagine anyone not wanting to eat it–and the addition of Boursin just makes it that much better. This sounds great, Mary Ann!
I know right?! I’m working on him Kelsie!
What a great twist! Love the healthy additions and we always have ground turkey in the freezer! Hubby and I are not picky eaters and would totally devour this, Mary Ann! Pinned! Have a great week :)
You both would love it Dawn! So easy!
Think I am going to try this but with a head of fresh cauliflower. Which is how I usually make my mashed cauliflower. Boil cauliflower florets for about 7 to 8 minutes (until fork soft).
Sounds good! Enjoy!
Ohhhh…..I can’t to hear what he says after he declares he loves it! I love how you’ve lightened up this classic dish and used healthier ingredients. This would be perfect for my always hungry crew of teenagers!
es it would Kathy! Hope you guys try it!
A wonderful adaptation of sherherd’s pie. I don’t think I would be too sad if he didn’t like it as it would mean more for me!
Lol! That’s very true Chris! Happy Monday!
Yes! I have what I need to make that cauliflower mash right now! Your creative twist on a classic is wonderful! Can’t wait to try it!!
Enjoy Annie! Have a great week!
No Mr. Picky here fortunately. Cauliflower mash was still not a winner at our house, but is acceptable at the 50% level with potatoes. Our preferred add-in for the mash atop shepherd’s pie is some horseradish. It’s delicious with the pie and would probably also help disguise that cauliflower for a slightly different variation. Thanks for reminding me this needs to be on the menu again soon.
I love the idea of adding the horseradish Robby! That’s my favorite. Hope you give this one a go. Happy Monday!
Mary Ann, this looks fabulous! Love the cauli mash on top. I think it adds great flavor, especially with the cheese! Your photos are just beautiful!
Thanks so much Kelly! That cauli mash is delish!
I made this tonight and added mushrooms to the veggies. Also used fresh cauliflower but didn’t add cheese. It. Was. Amazing!!!
Yay! So happy you enjoyed it Crista!
I live with Mr. Super Picky. Vegetables are a no no . I llike shepherd pie and I love what you did with it Mary Ann. I have to try it.
Lol! I just wish he would give things a try! I know he’d end up liking some things. Hope you enjoy it!
Mary Ann – sounds like our husbands are cut from the same picky cloth! Rest assured, I’ve made so many dishes with hidden vegetables, half-cauliflower mash, etc. but I love the idea of “softening the blow” with some Boursin! That’s brilliant. Not that he ever really knows where all my hidden gems are, but extra delicious is always a good idea!
I got that idea from Cooking Light magazine. My neighbor David loved it! Have a great week Laura!
LOL! Men really are impossible. I never have understood why women get a reputation for being “extra” or high maintenance when really these labels apply to more men that I know than women!! Jeremy is the same as Tom, suuuuuuper picky. It’s annoying and frustrating to say the least! Anyways, I am LOVING this skinny shepherds pie, Mare!! I’ll have to lie and tell Jeremy the cauliflower are real potatoes, but I absolutely LOVE me some cauliflower mash! I’m thinking this is something I could get Jeremy to actually eat! Pinning! Cheers!
It really is delicious Chey! I love mashed potatoes, but this cauli mash with the Boursin cheese is a delicious substitute for sure! Hope you can twist him arm. Bet you’d both love it! Thanks for pinning!
Hahahaa! I lol! I can SO relate, Mary Ann. Being a food blogger doesn’t help either, right? As such, we are always stepping outside of the proverbial box trying new things – broadening our approach, skills and palate. And guess who’s always the first to give feedback – lol – que the the Mr. Pickies! I hope he enjoys this one… and that mash would definitely get the green light from me (although I’m certain Rob would raise an eyebrow)! So beautifully captured Mare! :D
He’s not budging on this one Traci! Unfortunately for him. He’s missing out, but I’ll still be working on him! Thanks so much!
Really would love this for dinner! Healthy comfort food for the win!
Yes! Love healthy comfort food!
I think Tom and I are a bit of kindred eating spirits, but that said, I actually like cauliflower mash. Maybe even more than actual cauliflower florets. And I love, love the idea of adding Boursin! A great lighter version of a classic!
Lol! That’s funny Jennifer. I would never have suspected! I think I’ll always be adding Boursin cheese to my cauli mash!
Hahaha – I love that you have to trick Tom! And what a great trick – I love the idea of a cauliflower topping – it looks delicious – and that little bit of boursin makes all the difference, Mary Ann. Perfect dinner for these cold nights!
He’s a tough customer Geraldine! Perfect for wintry nights, I agree!
I love how you lightened up this classic!
Thanks Natasha!
Love this slimmed down version of one of my favorite classics!
It’s so delicious Matt! You’ll never miss the mashed potatoes!
We’ve actually been making a ton of cauliflower mash lately! It’s so good – and I don’t have a Mr. Picky (only Mr. Picky Jr’s) so he doesn’t mind it too much! Love the idea of sneaking in a bit more health into a classic!!
Lol! Thanks Katherine!
Loving that this is a healthier version to enjoy! That cauliflower mash looks as good as potatoes!
It really is as delicious as potatoes Leigh Ann! Mr. Picky’s not budging on this one though! I’ll trick him eventually though, don’t you worry!
What a wonderful, lightened up riff on this classic dish!! We love ground turkey in burgers and tacos, so why not Shepherd’s Pie? Yum! And your cauliflower mash looks like creamy perfections!
Thanks Marissa!
We love Mr.Picky????Love the Boursin w cauliflower! He’s says they don’t go together!
Lol! I’m working on him, but he’s not budging yet! He loves the Boursin, but not with cauliflower!
I bet you can’t even tell that you’ve used healthier foods in this dish, and a great way to add in a few more veggies with the cauliflower mash! Will be giving this one a try!
I can’t tell at all Kevin, but believe me, Tom can. He’s hopeless.
This is what I call healthy comfort food for the win! Such a great weeknight dinner!
Totally!
This looks incredible and love the cauliflower-mash!!!!
Thanks Alice!
This is my new favorite sheperd’s pie recipe. It’s so easy and so good! The spices and flavors are perfect as written. I also like it topped with a blend of cauliflower and sweet potato. This will be my go-to – thank you!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Patricia! Love the addition of the sweet potato to the topping. Your comment made my night! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave it here at the blog! XO
Can this be frozen?
Hi Sue. I have never frozen this one, but I have frozen shepherd’s pie with regular mashed potatoes in portions in air tight containers. Hope this helps!
Thank you for a delicious recipe. Do you think I can double to feed more people?
Absolutely! Enjoy Nancy!
Excellent!!! I made this recipe almost exactly as written (minus the corn, Boursin cheese, and added coriander & cumin. Also boiled 2 red potatoes and mashed in with the cauliflower rice. Topped everything with a pinch of shredded cheddar, which browned perfectly in the oven!
Glad you enjoyed it Stefanie!
Instead of adding a cup of low sodium chicken broth to the meat mixture, I just used a cup of the leftover cauliflower liquid and it was perfect!!!
Will definitely make again-healthy and comforting.
Great idea Etah! Thanks for sharing your feedback. Happy you enjoyed!