Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole
This recipe takes the classic flavors of a Shepherd’s Pie—savory meat and vegetable filling, creamy corn, and a potato topping—and gives it a fun, modern twist with a layer of crispy Tater Tots.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6
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Ingredients
For the Filling:
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
· 1 medium yellow onion, diced
· 2 cloves garlic, minced
· 1.5 pounds ground beef (or ground lamb for a more traditional shepherd’s pie)
· 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
· 2 tablespoons tomato paste
· 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
· 1 cup beef broth
· 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
· 1 teaspoon dried thyme
· Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Topping:
· 1 (32 oz) bag frozen Tater Tots
· 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
· 1 cup frozen corn kernels (optional, for an extra layer)
· Fresh chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
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Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cook the Aromatics: In a large, oven-safe skillet (a 10-12 inch cast iron or stainless steel skillet is perfect), heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
3. Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
4. Make the Filling: Sprinkle the flour over the cooked meat and stir for 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste. Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
· Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
· Stir in the 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat.
5. Assemble the Casserole:
· If you used an oven-safe skillet, you can assemble it right in the pan. If not, transfer the meat mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
· (Optional Layer) For an extra classic shepherd’s pie touch, spread the 1 cup of frozen corn kernels in an even layer over the meat mixture.
· Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the meat (and corn) layer.
· Arrange the frozen Tater Tots in a single, tight layer on top, covering the entire surface.
6. Bake: Place the skillet or baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the Tater Tots are golden brown and crispy.
7. Add Final Cheese: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the hot Tater Tots. Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy!