Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole
Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a twist on a traditional shepherd’s pie. All the flavors you love but topped with cheesy, golden brown tater tots instead of mashed potatoes!
A HEARTY CASSEROLE IN UNDER AN HOUR
One of my favorite things about this Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole is the fact that it’s made with tater tots. Making this casserole with tater tots is definitely more fun and totally makes it more kid friendly. What kid doesn’t love tater tots? Well, really, what adult doesn’t love them too? Ha! I love that I can enjoy the comfort food of this Shepherd’s Pie Casserole without having to make some fresh mashed potatoes and I don’t even have to defrost the tots first! This casserole is SUPER, super easy and so comforting too!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Yes, yes, yes, I KNOW! Before you come at me in the comments trying to tell me THIS ISN’T SHEPHERD’S PIE! I know guys, I know that technically Cottage Pie is made with ground beef while traditional Shepherd’s Pie is made with lamb. But, here’s the deal, most Americans call what is truly Cottage Pie, Shepherd’s Pie, so I’m trying to share this with those who may be looking for it with the terms they are using for it. Yes, Cottage Pie is made with beef and Shepherd’s Pie is made with ground lamb, but since most of my audience is from America, I’m calling it Shepherd’s Pie even while using ground beef. Besides, we are making this with tater tots and not mashed potatoes anyway, and can we talk about how difficult it can be to find ground lamb around the US anyway?!? It’s next to impossible in many places around the USA, plus it’s about three times more expensive, so that’s one of the reasons most people here use beef instead. So, I’m calling it what I wish. Just trust I know the difference. AND, if you do want to use ground lamb- GO FOR IT!
Sure. I prefer mine with a bit more gravy but a cornstarch slurry could be used to thicken the meat mixture further if necessary if that is your preference. Combine 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 Tablespoon of water, and add to the skillet. Turn the heat up to high and stir until thickened.
This casserole is really a whole meal in one. It has some protein, some basic veggies and carbs. If you wanted, you could serve this with your favorite green salad or some more steamed veggies to get more greens in.
Leftover casserole can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. You can reheat in the oven for more crispy tater tots, or try the microwave but the tots may go a bit soggy that way. You can freeze leftovers in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating according to the above directions.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- olive oil– vegetable or other neutral oil can be used.
- onion– you could even use a shallot here.
- garlic cloves– While fresh garlic tastes best in this recipe, the fresh garlic can be substituted with 3 heaping teaspoons of minced jar garlic.
- ground beef– The ground beef can be substituted with other varieties of ground meat, such as ground lamb for a more traditional shepherd’s pie.
- tomato paste – The tomato paste adds flavor to the dish and helps thicken the sauce.
- all purpose flour
- beef broth– you can use low or no sodium versions if necessary. The beef broth could be substituted with chicken or vegetable broth.
- frozen mixed vegetables – I used peas, carrots and corn but you can use other veggies.
- Worcestershire sauce – The Worcestershire sauce adds a boost of flavor to the dish, so it’s highly recommended to not omit this ingredient.
- dried thyme– The dried thyme could be substituted with dried oregano, dried rosemary or dried parsley.
- salt and pepper– Season the sauce with salt and pepper to suit your personal tastes.
- frozen tater tots– There is no need to thaw the tater tots before using.
- shredded cheddar cheese– Use pre-shredded cheddar cheese, or shred your own.
HOW TO MAKE SHEPHERD’S PIE TATER TOT CASSEROLE:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring, for around 3 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add the ground beef, and cook, stirring and breaking up any lumps with the back of a wooden spoon, until the beef is no longer pink.
Add the tomato paste and all purpose flour and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Gradually add the beef broth while stirring until well combined. Add the frozen peas, carrots and corn along with the Worcestershire sauce and dried thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer over the meat mixture.
Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the tater tots. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are cooked through and golden in color.
Garnish the casserole with the fresh parsley, if using, before serving.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth (can use low or no sodium if necessary)
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (I used peas, carrots and corn)
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 pound bag frozen tater tots (they don't need to be thawed)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley (for garnishing, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F
- Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil over a medium-high heat. Add 1 onion, finely diced and cook, stirring, for around 3 minutes or until softened. Add 3 garlic cloves, minced and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add 1 pound ground beef, cook and crumble, until the beef is cooked and no longer pink.
- Add 2 Tablespoons tomato paste and 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Gradually add2 cups beef broth while stirring until well combined.
- Add 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables along with 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and 1 teaspoon dried thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
- Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the 2 pound bag frozen tater tots in a single layer over the meat mixture. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tater tots.
- Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes on the middle rack, or until the tater tots are cooked through and golden in color.
- Garnish the casserole with 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, if using, before serving.
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
- I like this casserole with a decent amount of “gravy” with the casserole mixture, if you prefer a thicker mixture, you can use a cornstarch slurry. Just combine 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 Tablespoon of water, and add it to the skillet. Turn the heat up to high and stir the mixture until it has thickend appropriately.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Very good recipe. I added a touch more but the base recipe is perfect. Trust the process! I almost didn’t add all the broth then I did and it was a smart move.
Made it for my wife and kids. I knew the kids would love the tater tots and they absolutely did. Easy to make and everyone really enjoyed it.
I made this and it was a hit! My family all loved and said make it again. Even the veggie hater loved it and had 2 helpings. He didn’t even pick out any of the veggies! The recipe is very easy to follow, takes very little time to put together, and while it’s in the oven is plenty of time to make a salad or any other sides you want to serve with it. I will definitely be making this again!
Love hearing that Brenda – thank you SO very much! I really appreciate you taking the time to come back and comment!