Description
This Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish that combines savory ground beef, creamy instant mashed potatoes, crispy tater tots, and melted cheese baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a family dinner, it brings a unique twist to traditional shepherd’s pie using convenient ingredients and easy steps.
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 they soften (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 simmer for a few minutes until flavors meld together. Transfer this mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: In a saucepan, bring 1 ½ cups water and 2 tablespoons margarine to a boil. Remove from heat, then stir in the instant mashed potato mix and milk. Let it sit for a minute to thicken, then stir until smooth. Spread this creamy mashed potato mixture evenly on top of the beef mixture in the baking dish.
- Add the Tater Tots and Cheese: Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer atop the mashed potatoes. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes at 425°F or until the tater tots turn golden brown and crispy. Remove the casserole, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend evenly over the tater tots, and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 4-6 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from oven and serve hot.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute ground turkey for ground beef.
- Using frozen corn instead of canned can add a fresher taste; just adjust liquid accordingly.
- Instant mashed potatoes can be swapped for homemade mashed potatoes if desired.
- Feel free to mix different cheese varieties for added flavor complexity.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add extra baking time if baking from cold.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
