Description
A comforting and hearty Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole that combines savory ground beef and vegetables with creamy mashed potatoes, topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheese. This easy-to-make casserole is a family favorite, perfect for a satisfying dinner.
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). 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, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well and let 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, 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. Bake for 30 minutes at 425°F until the tater tots are golden and crispy. Remove from the oven, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend evenly over the top, and return to the oven for an additional 4-6 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey instead of beef and low-fat cheese.
- You can add vegetables such as peas or carrots to the beef mixture for added nutrition.
- Use homemade mashed potatoes if preferred instead of instant mix.
- Let the casserole rest a few minutes after baking to allow it to set and make serving easier.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
