Better Half was craving shepherd's pie last weekend, so I decided to make two versions: his normal high-carb version and a low-carb version for myself.  The obvious answer to transforming this into low-carb fare is to use fauxtatoes in place of the mashed potatoes and substitute some green veggies for the corn/peas/carrots combo seen in traditional shepherd's pies.  Many probably use green beans, but I am not a huge fan.  While I don't despise them, I would not shed a tear if I never ate another green bean in my life.  I decided to try something different and used mushrooms, onions and brussel sprouts.  I was quite pleased with how this turned out!

Low Carb Shepherd's Pie

1 lb ground beef
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2-4 tbs bacon grease, butter or oil of choice
4 oz mushrooms, roughly chopped
1/2 small onion, diced
10 or so brussel sprouts, roughly chopped into quarters
Double batch prepared fauxtatoes (this is Dana Carpender's recipe, which is what I basically follow)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2) Brown the ground beef in a skillet, and season with the garlic powder, salt and pepper (add more or less to taste).
3) Drain the beef (not because the fat is evil but because you don't want the pie to be greasy) and place in a layer on the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish.
4) In the same skillet, melt 1/2 the the bacon grease and saute the mushrooms and onions until soft.
5) Layer the mushrooms and onions on top of the beef in the casserole dish.
6) In the same skillet, melt the remaining bacon grease.
7) Saute the brussel sprouts, stirring frequently, until they begin to turn dark brown. Don't worry that they are falling apart.
8) Layer the sprouts on top of of the mushroom/onion mixture.
9) Layer the fauxtatoes on top of the sprouts.
10) Top with the cheddar cheese
11) Bake in oven for about 30-40 minutes, until the cheese just starts to brown.

Makes about 6 servings.

Carb counts coming as soon as I get my lazy butt in gear and input everything into my software.