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Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole : The Comfort Food

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Looking for a warm, hearty, and family-friendly meal? This Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole is the perfect comfort food dinner that combines the rich, meaty filling of shepherd’s pie with the crispy, golden topping of tater tots.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Beef Filling:

  • 1 pound ground beef (or substitute ground turkey)

  • 1 small onion, finely diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon paprika

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1 ½ cups beef broth

  • 1 tablespoon flour or cornstarch (to thicken)

For the Vegetables:

  • 1 cup frozen peas

  • 1 cup frozen corn

  • 1 cup carrots, diced

For the Topping:

  • 1 bag (32 oz) frozen tater tots

  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Beef Filling

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula. Drain excess grease.

Add the onion and garlic, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, paprika, black pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning.

Mix in the tomato paste, then pour in the beef broth. Sprinkle in flour or cornstarch and stir well to thicken the sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly reduced.

Step 2: Add the Vegetables

Stir in the peas, corn, and diced carrots. Cook for another 2 minutes until the veggies are evenly mixed into the filling. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Assemble the Casserole

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the beef mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the beef mixture. Brush the melted butter over the tater tots and sprinkle with garlic powder for extra flavor.

Step 4: Bake the Casserole

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until the tater tots turn golden and crispy. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake for another 5 minutes until the cheese melts.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!

Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions for a pop of color!

Notes

✔️ Use High-Quality Ground Beef – For the best flavor, opt for 85/15 ground beef.
✔️ Season Generously – Don’t skip the Worcestershire sauce and Italian seasoning!
✔️ Layer the Tater Tots Evenly – This ensures they cook crispy and golden.

Nutrition

Keywords: Shepherds Pie Tater Tot Casserole

Find it online: https://lyndyskitchen.com/shepherds-pie-tot-casserole-the-comfort-food/