Savory Bone Broth Shepherd's Pie
This cozy shepherd’s pie is the kind of fall comfort food we love because it is hearty, satisfying, and still built around whole-food ingredients. Instead of a traditional potato-heavy topping and flour-thickened filling, this version uses creamy cauliflower mash and a savory bone broth protein blend for extra nourishment.
We also love that it is naturally grain-free and can be made dairy-free if needed.
Why We Like This Recipe
This meal gives you a really nice balance of:
Protein from grass-fed ground beef
Collagen-rich support from bone broth protein
Fiber and phytonutrients from cauliflower, carrots, celery, and onion
Healthy fats from ghee or grass-fed butter
Minerals and amino acids that help support muscle, connective tissue, gut health, and recovery
The cauliflower topping keeps the meal lighter while still giving you that creamy, comforting shepherd’s pie feel.
Bone broth protein is especially useful here because it adds savory depth while also contributing amino acids such as glycine and proline, which are important for connective tissue and collagen formation.
You can use any quality bone broth protein powder you prefer. Some of our favorites include:
Paleo Valley
Ancient Nutrition
Designs for Health
Choose an unflavored or savory variety that blends well into soups, stews, and sauces.
Ingredients
For the Mashed Cauliflower Topping
1 medium head cauliflower, chopped into florets
1 tablespoon ghee or grass-fed butter
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
For the Filling
1 tablespoon ghee
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 pound grass-fed ground beef
1 tablespoon tomato paste
⅓ cup water
2 tablespoons coconut aminos
2 scoops savory bone broth protein powder
Paleo Valley is used for this recipe.
Make sure to use about 2 servings of the bone broth protein you have (about 30-35g total protein).
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Prepare the cauliflower
Steam or boil cauliflower florets for about 10 minutes, or until very tender.
Drain well, then transfer to a bowl or food processor.
Add ghee or butter, salt, and pepper.
Mash or blend until smooth and creamy.
Set aside.
TIP: If you want a heartier version, go ahead and use potatoes :).
2. Cook the vegetables
Heat 1 tablespoon ghee in a skillet over medium heat.
Add:
Carrots
Celery
Onion
Sauté for about 5 minutes, until they begin to soften.
3. Add the beef
Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spatula.
Cook for about 5–6 minutes, or until mostly cooked through.
4. Build the sauce
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 2 minutes.
Add:
Water
Coconut aminos
Bone broth protein powder
Stir well until everything is combined.
Allow the mixture to simmer for about 3 minutes.
5. Assemble
Preheat the oven to broil.
Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture into a casserole dish.
Spread evenly.
Spoon the cauliflower mash over the top and smooth it into an even layer.
6. Broil
Broil for approximately:
6–8 minutes
or until the top is lightly browned.
7. Finish
Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly.
Top with fresh parsley before serving.
Functional Nutrition Highlights
Grass-Fed Beef
Provides:
Complete protein
Iron
Zinc
Vitamin B12
Creatine
Amino acids needed for muscle and tissue repair
Bone Broth Protein
Provides collagen-rich amino acids such as:
Glycine
Proline
These help support:
Connective tissue
Skin
Joints
Gut tissue
Recovery
Cauliflower
A cruciferous vegetable providing:
Fiber
Vitamin C
Folate
Sulfur-containing compounds that support normal liver detoxification pathways
Carrots
Provide:
Beta-carotene
Fiber
Antioxidants
Onion
Provides:
Prebiotic fibers
Quercetin
Sulfur compounds
Celery
Adds:
Fiber
Potassium
Antioxidant compounds
Coconut Aminos
Adds savory flavor without relying on conventional soy sauce, making this an easy option for people avoiding soy or gluten.
Simple Additions
You could also add:
Mushrooms
Peas
Garlic
Spinach
Kale
Thyme
Rosemary
for even more vegetables and flavor.
Purely Rooted Tip
Pair this with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables for even more fiber and phytonutrients.
This is exactly the kind of fall meal we love: warm, nourishing, protein-rich, full of vegetables, and satisfying enough that healthy eating never feels like deprivation.
Need a reliable source for grass-fed, pasture-raised meat? Wild Pastures is one of the companies we recommend for convenient access to quality meat from better-raised animals. You can learn more or order through our referral link HERE.
Recipe adapted from Wild Pastures. Original recipe: “Savory Bone Broth Shepherd’s Pie.” Wild Pastures recipe
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