Healthy Instant Pot Cottage Pie (with Potato + Cauliflower Mash)

If comfort food had a healthy makeover, this would be it. Cottage Pie has all the makings of a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs dinner—but we’ve lightened it up and streamlined the process so it’s still weeknight-friendly. The secret? A potato + cauliflower mash that’s fluffy and satisfying, and a bag of frozen mixed veggies to cut prep time in half.

And because this week’s veggie spotlight from our partners at Davis Natural Produce is potatoes, we’re putting them to good use in the topping. Pairing them with cauliflower keeps things lighter but doesn’t skimp on flavor.

This version comes together quickly thanks to the Instant Pot (for the mash) and still delivers that golden, savory, bubbling dish everyone at the table will fight over.

Ingredients

Potato-Cauliflower Topping:

• 1 lb Yukon Gold or russet potatoes, peeled & cubed
• 1 small head cauliflower, cut into florets (about 1 lb)
• 2 cloves garlic (optional)
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tbsp olive oil or butter
• ¼–½ cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• Salt & black pepper, to taste

Filling:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• 1 (12–16 oz) bag frozen mixed vegetables

Instructions

Step 1 – Potato-Cauliflower Mash (Instant Pot):

1. Add potatoes, cauliflower, and garlic to the Instant Pot with 1 cup water.
2. Pressure cook on HIGH for 8 minutes, then quick release.
3. Drain and return to pot. Mash with Greek yogurt, olive oil, broth, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Step 2 – Filling:

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add ground beef and garlic; cook until browned. Drain if needed.
3. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Add broth and simmer 8–10 minutes, until thickened slightly.
5. Stir in frozen veggies and cook 2–3 minutes, until warmed through.

Step 3 – Assemble & Bake:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Spread filling evenly into a 9x13 baking dish.
3. Top with the mash, smoothing with a spatula.
4. Bake 20–25 minutes, until golden brown. For extra crispiness, broil the last 2 minutes.

Why We Love This Recipe

• Faster prep: Frozen veggies = less chopping, more eating.
• Family approved: The kids won’t even notice the cauliflower snuck in there.
• Seasonal produce: Davis Natural Produce’s potatoes are the star of the show this week, and they deliver serious comfort-food vibes.

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