Gordon Ramsay Cottage Pie – Made Keto

I took Gordon Ramsay’s classic cottage pie—the rich beef, the red wine gravy, that golden parmesan crust—and made it keto. Because I love a deep, meaty comfort dish as much as the next Brit-obsessed foodie… but I’m not about to blow my carbs on potatoes.

Most “low-carb” cottage pies taste like cauliflower soup wearing a beef hat. Ramsay wouldn’t approve—and neither would I. This version keeps the flavor, swaps the starch, and stays satisfying enough that even non-keto people go back for seconds.

💡 What Solves the “Sad Keto” Problem

• We swap out potatoes for cauliflower and a little cream cheese to help it hold.
• Almond flour and xanthan gum step in for flour to thicken the gravy—no carb bombs here.
• Still get that parmesan crust for crunch and flavor—without adding bloat.

🧾 What Packs Flavor Without the Carbs

• 750g ground beef (min 80/20) – The fat helps richness and mouthfeel without needing a roux.
• 125ml dry red wine – 1–2 net carbs per serving once cooked down. Skip only if strict keto.
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce – ~1g net carbs per tbsp, but it’s worth it for umami.
• 1 tbsp almond flour + ½ tsp xanthan gum – Replaces flour to thicken gravy without carbs.
• 500ml beef bone broth – More nutrients, fewer additives than store stock.
• 1 medium head cauliflower – Your mash base. Steamed, not boiled.
• 30g cream cheese + 30g butter – For creamy mash that stays fluffy.
• 20g grated parmesan – Crisps up the top like a dream.

🔁 Keto Swaps That Actually Work

Avoid coconut flour here—it overpowers and doesn’t thicken the same.

⚠️ What Went Sideways (And Why)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step – The Keto Version

1. Prep mash: Steam cauliflower florets until fork-tender. Drain, let sit in a clean towel to release steam. Blend with butter, cream cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth but thick.
2. Sauté base: Heat olive oil in a pan. Sauté garlic, onion, carrot, and celery (optional but <2g net carbs total if you go light). Brown the beef thoroughly.
3. Build the gravy: Add almond flour, stir for 1 min. Stir in tomato paste, wine, broth, bouillon, Worcestershire, thyme, and bay. Simmer uncovered 25–30 min. Add xanthan gum last 5 mins, stirring to thicken.
4. Cool filling: Let meat rest 10–15 min. (Non-negotiable for clean layers.)
5. Assemble: Spoon into baking dish. Top with cauliflower mash, rough up with fork. Sprinkle parmesan and dot with butter.
6. Bake: 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 mins. Broil 3 mins at the end.
7. Rest + serve: Let it sit 5–10 mins. Cuts cleaner, holds together better.

🧠 Keto Cooking Tricks That Help

• I use a nut milk bag or clean dish towel to squeeze cauliflower dry—gets it fluffy.
• Mix xanthan gum in a bit of broth before adding to avoid clumps.
• Bake mash separately first for 10 mins if you want ultra-firm topping.

🧊 How I Store and Track It

• Fridge: 4 days airtight.
• Freezer: Up to 2 months—freeze in slices.
• Reheat: 180°C oven uncovered to crisp up again.
• Macros: ~7–8g net carbs per serving (based on 6 servings), depending on veggie load.

❓ Real Keto Questions, Real Answers

Q: Will the wine kick me out of ketosis?
A: Cooked down, most of the alcohol burns off. You’re left with about 1–2g net carbs per serving if you use a dry wine.

Q: Can I use shredded chicken instead of beef?
A: Yes, but reduce liquid more—chicken doesn’t bind as well as beef.

Q: Can I just use cauliflower rice instead of mash?
A: You can, but the texture’s off. Mash makes it feel indulgent. Rice makes it feel like leftovers.

📊 Nutrition Facts (per serving – makes 6 servings)

Check out More Recipes:

• Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Stroganoff – Keto Edition
• Gordon Ramsay Ground Turkey Pasta (Keto Style)
• Gordon Ramsay Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops – Made Keto
• Gordon Ramsay Macaroni Salad – Keto Edition

Gordon Ramsay Cottage Pie – Made Keto

Author: Sarah Cooking Method:Baking Broiling Sautéing Steaming Cuisine:British Courses:Dinner

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: 45 minutesRest time: 10 minutesTotal time:1 hour 10 minutesServings:6 servingsCalories:520 kcal Best Season:Summer

Description

A rich, comforting low-carb twist on Gordon Ramsay’s classic cottage pie—complete with a thick beefy gravy, crisped parmesan cauliflower mash, and just 8g net carbs per serving.

Ingredients

Filling

• 1.5 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
  
• 1 carrot, finely chopped (optional – adds ~1g net carbs/serving)
  
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped (optional)
  
• 750g ground beef (80/20)
  
• 1 tbsp almond flour
  
• 55g tomato paste
  
• 500ml beef bone broth
  
• 125ml dry red wine (or 125ml broth + 1 tsp balsamic vinegar)
  
• 1 bouillon cube
  
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  
• 1 tsp dried thyme or 3 sprigs fresh
  
• 2 bay leaves
  
• ½ tsp xanthan gum
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
  

Topping

• 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
  
• 30g butter
  
• 30g cream cheese
  
• Salt to taste
  

Parmesan Crust

• 20g grated parmesan cheese
  
• Extra butter, for dotting

Instructions

1. Steam cauliflower until soft. Drain well and let sit in a towel 10 minutes to release moisture. Mash with butter, cream cheese, and salt until smooth but thick.
   
2. Heat olive oil in a large pan. Sauté garlic, onion, and optional carrot/celery until soft.
   
3. Add ground beef and brown thoroughly.
   
4. Stir in almond flour and cook 1 minute. Add tomato paste, wine, broth, bouillon, Worcestershire, thyme, and bay leaves. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
   
5. Add xanthan gum in the last 5 minutes, stirring well to thicken. Season to taste.
   
6. Let the beef filling cool 10–15 minutes.
   
7. Spoon meat mixture into baking dish. Spread cauliflower mash on top. Use a fork to rough up the surface.
   
8. Sprinkle parmesan and dot with butter.
   
9. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25–30 minutes. Broil 2–3 minutes at the end for extra browning.
   
10. Rest 5–10 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Let the beef filling cool at least 10 minutes before adding the mash—this prevents it from sinking.
  Steam (don’t boil) the cauliflower and let it sit in a towel to release moisture for a fluffier mash.
  Add xanthan gum last, or it clumps—mix with a bit of broth first if needed.
  Leftovers reheat best in the oven, not the microwave (crust stays crisp!).
  Want to lower the carbs further? Skip the carrot and celery.

Keywords:keto cottage pie, low carb cottage pie, keto dinner, cauliflower mash pie, Gordon Ramsay cottage pie keto