Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower Recipe

Place the cauliflower into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until fork-tender 8 to 12 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for 1 to 2 minutes.

Coarsely chop cauliflower and place in a food processor. Pulse until cauliflower is mashed 7 or 8 pulses. Add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; pulse 2 or 3 times until blended. Pour in 2 tablespoons half-and-half and pulse 2 or 3 times until cauliflower mixture is the consistency of mashed potatoes. Add 1 tablespoon half-and-half if mixture is too thick.

Pour 1/2 cup vegetable broth into a skillet; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add carrots celery onion and red bell pepper. Reduce heat to medium; cover. Cook until vegetables begin to soften 3 to 5 minutes. Add mushrooms; cover and cook for 1 minute.

Stir peas garlic thyme salt and pepper into the skillet. Add more broth if needed. Stir in tomato paste and flour until well combined. Pour in the remaining vegetable broth. Raise heat to medium-high. Cook and stir until liquid has thickened and coats the back of a spoon about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Spray a glass pie plate or baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Transfer carrot mixture to the prepared baking dish. Gently spread the mashed cauliflower mixture over the top. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese.

Broil until cauliflower is light brown 3 to 4 minutes.