This easy Whole30 dairy free shepherd’s pie recipe is a hearty, filling meal great for family dinner. Tender vegetables and ground beef in a tomato sauce topped with a mashed potato topping. The mashed potatoes are made with non-dairy milk and olive oil making them Whole30 compliant yet still light and fluffy!
I use a mix of carrots, onion, celery, mushrooms, and peas for my veggies but you can customize to your liking with other vegetables like Brussel sprouts or green beans.
This is technically a cottage pie since it is made with ground beef, but it is commonly known as shepherd’s pie. I love this meal because it has protein, carbs, and fiber all in one dish with the combo of the ground beef, mashed potatoes, and sauteed vegetables. A low carb option to the traditional, an ultimate healthy comfort food.
Find all of my easy entree recipes here and more of my Whole30 recipes here for more inspiration!
Why You’ll Enjoy This
- Nutrient-Dense – this dish is packed with celery, carrots, onion, mushrooms, peas, and ground beef making it packed with protein and fiber for a filling meal
- No Processed Ingredients – made from whole foods, free from dairy, grains, or added sugars, this meal is not only Whole30 compliant but it is satisfying and will keep you full for hours.
- Comfort Food Without the Guilt – you get all the coziness of a classic shepherd’s pie while knowing it fits in with your dietary preferences!
- Versatile and Customizable – use different veggies or substitute ground turkey or ground lamb for ground beef. Even use mashed sweet potatoes instead of the Yukon potatoes for different color and flavor!
What is Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s Pie is a classic dish made of a savory meat filling topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden brown and bubbly. Traditionally, it includes ground beef or lamb, peas, carrots, onions, celery. Also known as cottage pie.
This Whole30 version swaps out ingredients like butter, flour, and dairy for alternatives while still keeping it hearty and fulfilling. Instead of regular potatoes, use mashed cauliflower or sweet potatoes for a nutrient boost.
Key Ingredients
This shepherd’s pie is made with simple ingredients, many you probably already have on hand. If there is a substitution for an ingredient, you’ll find it below:
- Extra Virgin Olive oil: I prefer a good olive oil but avocado oil, butter, or vegetable oil can all be substitutes.
- Garlic: add as many fresh garlic cloves as desired, I use upwards of around 4 or 5 cloves. Jarred minced garlic can be a substitute.
- Onion: red onion, white onion, or yellow onion can work in the recipe, omit onion if you prefer. Shallots are also a good option.
- Tomato paste: this helps to thicken the meat mixture and make a bit of a sauce.
- Beef broth or stock: any type of stock or both can be used, substitute chicken or vegetable broth.
- Potatoes: Yukon gold or russet potatoes are best for the mashed potatoes. You could substitute mashed sweet potatoes or cauliflower.
- Ground beef: substitute ground turkey or lamb if desired.
- Seasonings: kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning are used in this skillet dish. Paprika, cayenne, onion powder, or chili powder can add a touch more flavor.
- Milk: use any unsweetened non-dairy milk, like oat milk, coconut milk, or almond milk.
- Mixed Vegetables: I use carrots, celery, mushrooms, and frozen green peas. Veggies can be customized to your liking.
How To Make Whole30 Shepherd’s Pie
Let’s talk a little about how to make Easy Whole30 Dairy Free Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Quick overview:
- Sauté veggies and ground beef.
- Mix in seasonings, tomato, and stock. Add in fresh peas.
- Make mashed potatoes and top meat mixture.
- Bake and enjoy.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat olive oil in a large oven safe skillet or braising pan over medium-high heat. Once oil is warm add in the onion, celery, carrots, and mushrooms. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the veggies begin to soften.
- Add in the minced garlic and seasonings, sauté for another 1-2 minutes before adding in the ground beef. Cook until ground beef is browned through.
- Reduce heat to medium and add in the tomato paste and beef stock, stir to combine. Gently stir in the frozen peas.
4. Add potatoes to a large sauce pan or Dutch oven and cover with cold water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to medium-high heat and let cook for 12-15 minutes until fork tender. Drain water.
5. Add potatoes to a large bowl along with the olive oil, milk, salt, and pepper. Mash together until potatoes are evenly combined and smooth. Set aside.
6. Remove from the heat and dollop the mashed potatoes over top, gently spread the potatoes out in an even layer, careful not to mix into the beef mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown perfection. Garnish with fresh parsley or fresh thyme and enjoy immediately.
More Weeknight Dinners
If you enjoyed this Easy Whole30 Dairy Free Shepherd’s Pie Recipe, try these other simple recipes that are perfect for hectic weeknights or Sunday family dinner!
- Lightened Up Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas – a lighter way to make the classic chicken enchiladas.
- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe – a simple, crockpot meal that can simmer all day and be ready for dinner with minimal prep!
- Honey Lime Marinated Chicken Bowls – simple marinated chicken grilled with peppers and serve over rice.
- Breaded Sesame Chicken Tacos – using store-bought premade sesame chicken makes these tacos quick and simple yet so flavorful.
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Thighs – a simple one pan meal, tender chicken thighs in a rich sauce.
Tools I Recommend
- Large Skillet: I love this non-stick sauté pan for several things, it is oven safe making it perfect for one-skillet meals that need to cook on the stove and bake in the oven. I like the high walls of the pan for keeping messes at bay. A cast iron skillet will work also.
- Wooden spoon: my go to utensils for cooking in cast iron or non-stick skillets.
- Potato masher: perfect to whip up the mashed potatoes by hand. You can also use this to mash avocados, egg salad, or bananas for banana bread.
Recipe FAQs
This version follows Whole30 guidelines by eliminating dairy, grains, beans, or added sugars. Instead of traditional mashed potatoes, this recipe features mashed potatoes made with olive oil and dairy-free milk. The filling uses lean ground beef and Whole30-approved broth and seasonings. With a variety of vegetables to keep you full.
Absolutely! Assemble the shepherd’s pie ahead of time and store it unbaked in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake as directed on the recipe card.
Leftovers of this Shepherd’s pie can be cooled completely and transferred to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, pop in the microwave or reheat in a sauté pan on the stove.
Easy Whole30 Dairy Free Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
- 2-3 ribs Celery, diced
- 1-2 large Whole carrots , peeled and diced
- 1 pint Mushrooms, sliced
- 2-3 cloves Garlic , minced
- 2 tsp Kosher salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 lb Lean ground beef
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 2 cups Beef stock
- 12 oz. bag Frozen peas
For the potatoes
- 1 1/2 – 2 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened non-dairy milk, like oat or almond milk
- 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp Kosher salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
For the potatoes
- Add potatoes to a large sauce pan or Dutch oven and cover with cold water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to medium-high heat and let cook for 12-15 minutes until fork tender. Drain water.1 1/2 – 2 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes
- Add potatoes to a large bowl along with the olive oil, milk, salt, and pepper. Mash together until potatoes are evenly combined and smooth. Set aside.1/2 cup Unsweetened non-dairy milk, 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil, Fresh cracked black pepper , 2 tsp Kosher salt
For the shepherd's pie
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat olive oil in a large oven safe Dutch oven or braising pan over medium-high heat. Once oil is warm add in the onion, celery, carrots, and mushrooms. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the veggies begin to soften.3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil, 1 medium Yellow onion, 2-3 ribs Celery, 1-2 large Whole carrots , 1 pint Mushrooms
- Add in the minced garlic and seasonings, sauté for another 1-2 minutes before adding in the ground beef. Cook until ground beef is browned through.2-3 cloves Garlic , 2 tsp Kosher salt, Fresh cracked black pepper, 1 tsp Garlic powder, 2 tsp Italian seasoning , 1 lb Lean ground beef
- Reduce heat to medium and add in the tomato paste and beef stock, stir to combine. Gently stir in the frozen peas.2 tbsp Tomato paste , 2 cups Beef stock , 12 oz. bag Frozen peas
- Remove from the heat and dollop the mashed potatoes over top, gently spread the potatoes out in an even layer, careful not to mix into the beef mixture. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy immediately.Fresh parsley
Nutrition
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