Shepherd's Pie Variations

Not an exact recipe this week.  Just some ideas for shepherd's pie variations.  I made one low and two higher carb versions this week.  It got me thinking about the different versions I've made.

This is similar to what my mom made while we were growing up.  Except one son convinced us we needed to add corn.  (Although he would prefer no green beans).  This is NOT a low carb option.

2 lbs hamburger, browned with fresh chopped onion, garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper.
Marinara (I love Kirkland brand from Costco.  Find one that has no added sugar).
3 cans canned corn
3 cans canned green beans
5 lbs mashed potatoes
2 cups medium cheddar cheese shredded, spread on top of potato layer

Layer in large casserole pan in the order listed above, starting with the hamburger as the bottom layer.
Cook in oven at 350 degrees until heated through, sauce is bubbling, and cheese is melted.  If you don't like your cheese browned, wait until the casserole is almost done, then add the cheese and put back in for a few minutes to melt the cheese.

Lower Carb Shepherd's Pie

Use the steps listed above but substitute cauliflower mash for mashed potatoes and omit the corn.

This week for cauliflower mash, I had 4 small bags of fresh cauliflower florets that I steamed.  I had roasted a fresh veggie mix of cauliflower, broccoli, and a few carrots with fresh garlic cloves and an onion to go with Sunday dinner and had left overs.  I added those to the steamed cauliflower with a cube of butter and salt and pepper.  Then mixed them with my hand held blender.  It was super yummy!!

Other sauce ideas
Instead of Marinara, try adding one of these to the browned hamburger instead:
Alfredo sauce from a jar.  Check carb counts.  I love this version.  (lower carb) 
Barbecue sauce (higher carb)
tomato soup (higher carb and not necessarily gluten free depending on the brand)
Spaghetti Sauce (very similar taste to the marinara)

The barbecue sauce idea came from my daughter. 

Sometimes I just get worn out before I get done cooking.  That happened when I was making the shepherd's pies this week.  I prepared the ingredients and before I got the casserole's put together, it was getting late, and I was tired.  So we ate some of the ingredients I had prepared separately (there was more than enough) and I put the casseroles together after dinner, then put them in the fridge to cook the next day.

I watched my daughter mix her bowl of mashed potatoes with corn, beans, and hamburger together.  Then she got the Sweet Baby Rays out of the fridge and added it to her bowl.  I thought, "who doesn't like barbecue sauce with meat, mashed potatoes and corn?"   So I added barbecue sauce to one of the higher carb shepherd's pie's I was putting together.