Description
This Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! Combining the hearty flavors of classic shepherd’s pie with crispy tater tots, this easy casserole is sure to become a family favorite. It’s packed with savory ground beef, vegetables, and topped with melty cheese and crispy tater tots for a delicious twist on a beloved classic. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or lamb for a more traditional shepherd’s pie)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup peas (frozen or fresh)
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or fresh)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 package (32 oz) frozen tater tots
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for greasing the casserole dish)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Meat Filling:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté for another 2 minutes until softened and fragrant. -
Cook the Vegetables:
Stir in the diced carrots, peas, and corn. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine.
Pour in the beef broth, bring to a simmer, and let the mixture cook for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat. -
Assemble the Casserole:
Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with butter or cooking spray.
Spread the meat and vegetable mixture evenly in the bottom of the casserole dish.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the meat mixture. -
Top with Tater Tots:
Arrange the frozen tater tots in an even layer on top of the cheese. You may have to slightly overlap them to cover the entire surface. -
Bake the Casserole:
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy. -
Serve & Enjoy:
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Slice and serve your Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole hot, garnished with fresh parsley or thyme if desired.
Notes
- You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.
- For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half to the beef broth mixture.
- You can add other vegetables such as green beans, mushrooms, or bell peppers for more variety.
- To make this dish a little spicier, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the beef mixture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 870
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 65mg