beef and kale casserole (aip, paleo, whole30)

 This  Beef, Kale and Sweet Potato Casserole is hearty, healthy and delicious. It’s a great one pan meal that’s nutrient dense and comforting, AIP, paleo and Whole30 compliant.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 TBSP olive oil, divided
• 1.5 cups sweet potato, chopped into small cubes
• 1 small yellow onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1/2 cup celery, diced
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 3 TBSP nomato sauce or coconut aminos*
• 5–6 cups lacinato or curly kale, chopped

Dairy-free AIP “Cheese” Sauce

• 1 cup full fat, additive free coconut milk
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• pinch of turmeric (optional – for yellow colour)
• 2 TBSP tapioca or arrowroot starch + 1 TBSP water

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add 2 TBSP olive oil to a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
2. Once warm, add cubed sweet potato and cook 7-10 minutes, stirring intermittently until the sweet potatoes have almost cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside. 
3. Add remaining 1.5 TBSP olive oil, sliced onions, garlic and celery and sauté until the onions turn translucent (4-5 minutes), stirring intermittently.
4. Add the ground beef along with the dried basil, oregano, thyme and rosemary and cook until meat begins to brown.
5. Add coconut aminos or nomato sauce and stir to combine.
6. Add chopped kale in batches, stirring to incorporate and wilt slightly between each addition. Taste mixture for salt and adjust if necessary.
7. To prepare the AIP dairy-free “cheese” sauce, combine coconut milk, apple cider vinegar, dried thyme, garlic powder, sea salt and optional turmeric in a small saucepan over medium heat. In a small bowl, mix together tapioca starch and water to make a slurry. Once coconut milk mixture has reached a rolling boil, add in slurry and whisk continuously until mixture begins to thicken.
8. Place beef and kale mixture into an 8×8 casserole dish and top with “cheese” sauce. Broil on high for 3-4 minutes, monitoring closely to ensure the top doesn’t burn.**