Description
Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish featuring a savory ground beef and vegetable mixture topped with creamy instant mashed potatoes, crispy tater tots, and a melted cheese blend. Easy to prepare and perfect for a family dinner, this casserole combines classic shepherd’s pie flavors with the fun crunch of tater tots.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 cup diced yellow onions
- 12 oz canned corn (with liquid)
- ½ cup water
- 0.87 oz beef gravy mix
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tbsp onion powder
- ½ tbsp garlic powder
Mashed Potatoes
- 1 ½ cups water
- 2 tbsp margarine (or butter)
- 4 oz instant mashed potato mix
- ½ cup milk
Topping
- 28 oz frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Mixture: Preheat your oven to 425°F. In a large pan over medium-high heat, melt a small amount of butter or margarine. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks, about 5-6 minutes until browned. Stir in the diced onions and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the canned corn with its liquid, ½ cup water, beef gravy mix, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for a few minutes. Transfer the beef mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
- Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: In a saucepan, bring 1 ½ cups of water and 2 tablespoons of margarine to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the instant mashed potato mix and milk. Let it sit for a minute to thicken, then stir until smooth. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly over the beef mixture in the baking dish.
- Add the Tater Tots and Cheese: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the mashed potatoes. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes at 425°F, or until the tater tots are golden and crispy. Remove from the oven, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend over the top, and return to the oven for an additional 4-6 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for lean ground beef for a lighter option.
- Use butter instead of margarine for a richer flavor if preferred.
- Feel free to add frozen peas or carrots to the beef mixture for more vegetables.
- Instant mashed potatoes make this recipe quick, but you can use homemade mashed potatoes if desired.
- Ensure the tater tots are arranged in a single layer for even crisping.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
