Spicy Shepherd’s Pie Chorizo Meatloaf
Whaaaaa? That title is much too confusing, don’t you agree? Well, think of it as a meatloaf. Topped with a shepherd’s pie type thingy. Make sense yet? No? Whatever. Let’s move on.
It was pretty crazy to see how many Facebook statuses came out about the death of Paul Walker. Then how many statuses came out about hating the statuses about the death of Paul Walker. Facebook was quite exhausting after his death. I just don’t understand why everyone cares so much about people getting upset about it. It’s their opinion. They are sad about his death, so they want to talk about it on Facebook. People talk about their births on Facebook. Or take a picture of their child taking a poo on toilet for the first time. Or talk about their break up via ending their relationship status for the sixth time in 2 months. All those statuses are extremely exhausting, but no one writes about those annoying people. Let’s start calling out those people more often. That would be fun. And very passive aggressive.
Moving on. Once again.
Since I stopped competing in CrossFit, it has become a very different experience for me. I go into the gym, don’t care what kind of weights I use, don’t care what my score or time is, then I move on with my day. My entire day used to be based around if I set a PR or if I performed well that day. Now I’ve changed my mindset to appreciate the other things I accomplish. Like creating a cookbook or producing recipes people hopefully enjoy. Or hanging out with girlfriends. Or buying new clothes. That’s an accomplishment, right? Either way, I care less about my workout and more about my life. It’s been quite nice. But the other day, I missed competing for a minute. Since I don’t see myself lifting as heavy as I used to, ever, I’ve created a new way to be excited about gym accomplishments. I call them ‘New Life PR’s’. And I got one the other day at CrossFit Inland Valley. I snatched 130 pounds when I only thought I’d get around 100 pounds. Getting a new life PR made me bummed that I don’t compete anymore. But at the same time, I haven’t been this happy with myself or happy with my life in years, even when I was able to snatch 145 pounds.
The reason I talk about it is, sometimes we have to change our expectations on ourselves. Whether that is based on how we eat, our exercise routine, our weight, a project, really whatever. You get the gist. I’ve changed my expectations and by doing so, I’m less stressed, I’m happier, I’m more productive, my relationships are better. Things just are more enjoyable. I don’t sweat the small stuff. And by doing so, I swear my hormones have stopped freaking the eff out. I’m just saying, I’ve changed some expectations about myself and my body has thanked me in return. It’s pretty rad to see.
Moving on. Last time. I’m super over guys being obsessed with their beards. We get it. You can grow facial hair really long. But your long facial hair makes you look at least 20 years older. Especially because it has leftover food in it. Like you’ve gone senile. Good work guys. Solid.
PrintSpicy Shepherd’s Pie Chorizo Meatloaf
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Ingredients
- 1 sweet potato or yam (200 grams)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound chorizo
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 1 cup almond flour/meal
- 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets (580 grams)
- 3 tablespoons coconut milk or broth (just some kind of liquid)
- avocado, chopped, to garnish
- goat cheese, to garnish (optional – do not use for strict paleo)
- red pepper flakes, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Poke holes in the sweet potato or yam and wrap in foil. Place in oven and cook for 35-40 minutes or until sweet potato or yam is soft to the touch, and completely cooked through then remove from oven.
- Turn oven temperature down to 375 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix together beef, chorizo, onion, chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, adobo sauce, garlic cloves, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper, eggs, and almond flour until well combined.
- Press meat mixture down into a bread pan or two bread pans, depending on the size you own.
- Cook for 35-40 minutes.
- While the meat cooks, steam the cauliflower until cauliflower is fork tender.
- Place cauliflower in a blender or food processor (I used a blendtec which gets it’s to a more fine puree). Puree cauliflower until completely soft and almost a soup consistency.
- Then add baked sweet potato or yam (be sure to peel it first) and puree with cauliflower. Scrape down the sides, as needed. Then add coconut milk or some kind of mixture to get the cauliflower and sweet potato to completely come together in a smooth consistency.
- Once meatloaf has cooked has cooked through (around 35-40 min) place cauliflower/sweet potato mixture on top, smooth out, and place the meatloaf back in the oven under a high broiler. Cook for about 5 minutes.
- Top with chopped avocado, goat cheese, and red pepper flakes.
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More Meatloaf!!
Bacon Chorizo Chipotle Smothered Meatloaf
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63 thoughts on “Spicy Shepherd’s Pie Chorizo Meatloaf”
You can snatch 130 lbs! Crazy strong! You’re my Crossfit idol!
Omg this looks amazing!!!! I love your recipes. And I am so over my husbands beard. It does get food and drink stuck in it. Ugh I want it to go away.
Mmm.. chorizo..
This looks freaking incredible. I never would have thought to put chorizo and cauliflower in meatloaf. Thanks for sharing!
Will it come out ok without almond flour?
Not as full and won’t stick together as much but it will still taste good!
This. This Post. This post was perfect for today. Thank you. Will try recipe soon.
It’s your (super tasty looking) creation, so you can of course call it what you want, but it’s usually shepherd’s pie. As in sheep herd, a person that herds sheep then puts them in a pie… Sorry – I correct spelling for a living, and I just. can’t, help. myself…
No thank you!! I’m not known for my spelling or grammar lol
OMG love this post!!! I used to work in a gym and was SUPER obsessed with my workouts in general. I also used to be super cray strict with my diet to the point of slight OCD that I kind of lost grasp of my love for food and appreciating it. I also had stomach issues and always felt sore and always nursing a small injury. Yes, I may have been up to 10lbs lighter, but I was not happy. Now, i have shifted my focus, taken more time to value my friendships and relationships and workout to be healthy and happy instead of being obsessed with the scale. Life’s too short. Be happ!!!
Hi Juli! I have dabbled in Paleo before and, although I’m not strictly in a Paleo lifestyle, your recipes keep me honest for a lot of meals. This is genius! I love the creativity in this recipe. Can’t wait to try it!
I love how you’ve mixed cauliflower and sweet potato together! Sometimes I’ll have just mashed cauliflower, but it still just freakin tastes like mashed cauliflower! I’m def going to try this.
This sounds fantastic. I love your blog. You made me giggle again today. 😀
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Sounds amazing. Can the cauliflower be substituted?
you could use just all sweet potato instead!
You are strong!!! Snatch is one of my least favorite movements, I just can’t go low enough and stay strong. You are awesome!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Ok, so of all the awesome posts you have written, I really loved this one. I have been chubby since I was little and I have tried everything – different workouts, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, paleo, soy free…and on and on. I feel the best on paleo, but I still am not losing the weight to become my healthiest self. What you said about changing expectations and that affecting your happiness and hormones really resonated with my weight loss struggles and I know my hormones are messed up. It feels like the minute I surrender and quit caring about losing weight is the minute I actually start losing the weight. But, when I feel like I have to make the best food choices three times a day every time I put something in my mouth, those high expectations and stress is always on my mind. Anyways, thanks for a good post and a great insight into perspective and happiness 🙂
Looks delicious! All of my favorite flavors, thanks for sharing. Wondering why the almond meal addition? Will it hold together without?
It holds it together a bit more. It will be ok without, just not look quite like meatloaf
Am i the only one who wants to say “hahaha she said SNATCh?” Sorry, i say those things in my head all the time when folks r talking. Your pie looks great 🙂
Haha…You told her, her pie looks great…
I have been making the same Paleo/Primal shepherd pie forever so I will definitely try this one out! It is already on the grocery list
Loved this post and can’t wait to try this recipe. I’ve missed shephards pie for waaay too long! Thanks for being so open in your posts – I am only just learning to change the expectations I have on myself. Only wish I would have worked this out 10 years ago! Keep up the great work xx
This post is awesome! Especially because I got to witness the PR and hear your excitement! You totally had 135, even 140! It was so great to have you at our gym. I hope you have a safe flight back and continue to embrace life’s PR’s! 🙂 I can’t wait to be in that place one day too!
you are the absolute best Carlie 🙂 thanks for making my experience at CrossFit Inland Valley such as amazing one. I’m really going to miss having you as my coach!
This was sooooo good. What I did differently was omitted the egg and almond flour. I cooked the meat then put it in a 10inch deep pie dish and made into a cottage pie. I put some cheese in between two layers of meat then put another layer on top. Then I spead the sweet potato/caul mash on top. Baked for 20 mins. Family LOVED it!
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Have you been able to find the chipotle peppers in adobo without sugar or crappy oils? This looks super good btw!
Hey Juli, I can never find chipotle in adobo without sugar. Where do you get yours? Thanks!
mine still has some sugar in it but I don’t worry about it since it’s not that much
This was fantastic .. Had that “meatloaf” texture (according to the hubs) and the mash was a great addition!! I consider this one of my life’s PRs b/c I don’t like meatloaf (and won’t make it at home, much to my hub’s chagrin), but this I will make and fully enjoy again :o) Thanks Juli!!!
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Can I sub coconut flour for the almond flour(nut allergy)? How much? Thanks. Looks great!
you could but i don’t know how much. i haven’t tried
Seal of approval from my six and four year old monsters who absolutely hate cauliflower anyway I’ve tried to cook it before! Made them a separate little one with no chipotle in it. Also replaced the almond flour with coconut (1/4 cup) and the consistency is still meatloafy 🙂 thanks for another great recipe!
I can’t wait to try this recipe. Are there any good Chourizo brands that do not contain dairy? I find that the traditional Portuguese brands always have dairy hidden in them.
I found many chorizo sausage out there that doesn’t have dairy in it. I’ve used Boulder Chorizo Sausage
Made this for my picky significant other and he loved it!! Great success! So So tasty!
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awesome! good to hear 🙂
I made this a couple days ago and have been taking the leftovers to work for lunch this week. My coworker asked me if I could bring her some too because it smelled so good!
Anyway, I never comment on blogs, I usually just creep on them, but I just wanted to let you know that ever since I turned paleo and found this blog I have turned my I-can-barely-make-myself-a-bowl-of-cereal self into someone who cannot WAIT to cook my next paleo meal! Thank you so much for making this transition into the paleo lifestyle so much easier (and so much more fun!) for me! 🙂
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another success! i haven’t had many failures with your recipes! my husband didn’t care for the cauliflower/SP mash on top but i was eating it was a spoon! Thanks for yet another good one Juli!
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Ok, I can’t pretend that I went all the way with this – I made it into a meatloaf without the cauliyam shepherd’s pie bit – but, boy, was it good! Brilliant idea incorporating spanish/mexican vibe into this dish and even better to include chorizo; who doesn’t love chorizo?! My partner and I had this with avocado and a side of roast sweet potatoes and it will certainly be going on regular rotation for dinner! It’s also a great dish to make ahead for the week and take into work for lunches. Thanks Juli x
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So, I have never left a recipe review because I rarely cook, but this one deserves it. This thing is amazing! I was so proud if myself for making it that I gave half of it away to show off my new found skills. Awesome awesome recipe!
This was crazy good! The caul/yam part was insane. In fact, I’ll use it as a side for any number of things. It’s been one year since I’ve gone paleo and seriously wouldn’t have made it without this site and ur recipes. Thanks and Happy New Year!
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i hate coconut milk, what else can i substitute? Will water work or have you tried with anything else??
ps yours is my fave paleo blog. your sweet potato meat loaf changed my life 🙂
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Water will work!! It just won’t be quite as creamy but still good!!
When you refer to coconut milk, is it the kind in a can or the kind in a container called coconut milk beverage?
I just found PaleOMG and I so love your recipes! Thank you for sharing your culinary creations and witty humor, Juli!
I made it tonight was flippi g lovely: used coconut flour rather than almond. Any ideas what calorie content is fpr this reciepe?
no clue
This recipe was interestingly good. Great combination with the goat cheese and avocado . The sweet tater and cauliflower mashed up very well …no pun intended 🙂 I mean anything with chorizo is a win win …love these all-in-one casseroles you have been creating….please keep up the good work..you make the Paleo lifestyle sooo much more appetizing with these tasty dishes!
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This recipe is awesome!!!!!! My mouth is on fire but I loooooove it first time today my stuffy nose released!!!!
JB – My husband & I have been cooking with your recipes for a while now. Sorry this is my first post.
We made this tonight and it is delicious! The chorizo and adobo really give the flavor and dish a kick! We love how the sweet potato and cauliflower mash is the right kind of texture for the meatloaf and the goat cheese definitely add a different experience with every other bite.
Thanks so much for posting paleo recipes that actually have lots of flavor!
*If anyone is considering whether to make this or not….stop wasting another minute and do it!!
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Made this recipe tonite and it will definitely be a keeper!! I substituted coconut flour (read an article where you use 1/4 of the amount of coconut for almond flour as it is very absorbent) worked out perfectly.Thanks so much for the recipe!!
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I was put onto this website by my crossfit coach and i bought your book, it was instant love at the first meal!! For real, i actually said ” omg that’s paleo” haha I love your humor, I love your Recipes, thank you for helping me find a better eating lifestyle I feel i can stick to as I enjoy it!! Even spread the LOve on my facebook Page and now my family has started it!!! 🙂
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HO. LY. CRAP. The cauliflower/sweet potato mixture on top is literally the frosting on the cake (meatloaf). So so so good. Love your recipes, thanks so much! 🙂
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OMG! I just made this and I can really eat the whole thing! Soo good!
This recipe was fantastic!! I didn’t change a thing. Husband nearly made himself sick because he wouldn’t stop eating it. Definitely will be a regular in our household. Next time I am planning to make several batches and form into patties and freeze. Then I can just thaw how many I need each time. Love this!
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Just made this for dinner tonight and highly recommend it! The only changes I made were doubling it and adding a jalapeno. If you can have goat cheese on your diet, then definitely garnish with it! It paired with the sweet potato mixture so well. The red pepper flakes were great with it also. Thanks for the amazing recipe! Very creative.
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Loved this!! I had some extra cauliflower and sweet potato purée so I made some “mashed potatoes”. I added a little bit of Kerry gold butter, salt, pepper and minced garlic and wow it tasted good!
I can’t wait to try this! I also very much appreciate the thoughtful reminder in this post. Thank you.
Just made a double batch of this – half for tonight’s dinner, half for post-baby freezer meals. My husband called it “so effing good!”
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I have tried a lot of Paleo recipes searching for anything with flavor. This recipe literally makes my taste buds dance! Can’t say thank you enough.
woot woot!! i love dancing tastebuds
Just made this tonight, I used coconut flour instead of the almond flour and it turned out divine!
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