Growing up my father would make shepherd’s pie every Sunday night. It was his signature dish and, as a child, I remember him rolling up his sleeves and making the piecrust from scratch.

Now that I have my own family, I have continued the tradition but with a healthy twist. Instead of white potatoes I use organic mashed cauliflower. I forgo the piecrust. And rather than ground beef I prefer a lean protein like organic ground turkey (although you can also use vegan options like Beyond Meat). I also protein up by using cottage cheese and sometimes substitute edamame for frozen peas.

Healthy Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 head of organic cauliflower
• 1 pound organic ground turkey
• 16 ounces of organic cottage cheese
• 1 bag of frozen peas or edamame
• 1 small onion
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
• 2 tablespoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Thaw frozen peas or edamame.
• Dice and sauté onion.
• Add meat to onion and cook until brown.
• Cut cauliflower and steam until fork tender.
• In a blender, combine steamed cauliflower, cottage cheese, cumin, garlic powder, and salt and pepper.
• In a cooking dish, combine cauliflower mixture, peas/edamame, and onion-meat mixture.
• Top with shredded cheese.
• Cook for 15 minutes (or until cheese melts)
• Let cool for 5 minutes.

—Becca Edwards, founder of Female IQ