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Closely looking down on a baking dish with Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole.
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Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole

Everything you enjoy in a Shepherd's Pie, but topped with tater tots and shredded cheddar cheese instead of mashed potatoes!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 682kcal
Author Brandie Skibinski

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.
    A skillet with diced onion and olive oil.
  • Add 1 pound ground beef, cook and crumble, until the beef is cooked and no longer pink.
    Ground beef, onion, oil, and garlic in a skillet.
  • 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.
    Tomato paste and flour being added to a skillet of cooked beef and onion.
  • 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.
    Beef broth, carrots, peas, and corn being added to a casserole mixture.
  • Transfer the mixture to a 9x13-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.
    Shredded cheese, tots, and casserole mixture in a dish.
  • Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes on the middle rack, or until the tater tots are cooked through and golden in color.
    Fresh baked Shepherds Pie Tater Tot Casserole.
  • Garnish the casserole with 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, if using, before serving.
    A baking dish full of Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole.

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

Calories: 682kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 42g | Sodium: 1325mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 2g
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