Description
This Tater Tot Shepherd’s Pie combines savory ground beef, mixed vegetables, and a crispy layer of tater tots for a comforting, family-friendly casserole. Easy to prepare and bake, this dish provides a classic, hearty meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef or lamb
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (such as peas, carrots, corn, and green beans)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1.5 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and position the oven rack in the top third.
- Sauté Onions: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Cook Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until just browned, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add Seasoning and Thickener: Lower heat to medium. Stir in Italian seasoning, tomato paste, and flour, cooking and stirring constantly for about 1 minute to combine and remove raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids: Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and salt while scraping any browned bits from the skillet bottom. Let the sauce thicken for about 1 minute.
- Incorporate Vegetables: Stir in frozen mixed vegetables and cook for 3 minutes, stirring often, adding a splash more broth if mixture becomes too dry.
- Assemble: Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture to a 9×13 casserole dish or an oven-safe large skillet. Smooth in an even layer, then arrange the frozen tater tots on top starting from the outside in.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 40 minutes until the casserole is hot and bubbly. Optionally, broil for a few minutes to brown the tater tots, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Notes
- You can substitute ground lamb for beef for a more traditional flavor.
- Frozen mixed vegetables should be used directly; no need to thaw before cooking.
- If skillet is oven-safe, you can cook and bake the casserole in the same pan, easing cleanup.
- Broiling at the end is optional but enhances the crispiness of the tater tots.
- Make sure not to overcook the vegetables to keep them tender-crisp.
