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A delicious serving of Tater Tot Shepherd's Pie is presented as a featured image for the recipe article.

Best Tater Tot Shepherd's Pie

This Tater Tot Shepherd's Pie is a comforting and fun twist on a classic dish. It features a seasoned ground beef and vegetable filling topped with a crispy layer of golden-brown tater tots, making it a perfect weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey/lamb
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter optional, for brushing
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven
  • Spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the flour and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute.
  6. Gradually pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the Worcestershire sauce.
  7. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
  8. Stir in the frozen peas and corn.
  9. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the meat and vegetable filling.
  10. Brush the tops of the tater tots with melted butter for extra crispiness (optional).
  11. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots, if desired (optional).
  12. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the filling is bubbly.
  13. Let the Tater Tot Shepherd's Pie cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Don't overcrowd the pan. Use a large enough skillet or Dutch oven so the meat and veggies have room to cook evenly. Season the filling to taste. For the crispiest tater tots, make sure they're arranged in a single layer. Customize your filling with other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers. You can use leftover cooked meat to reduce cooking time. Assemble the pie ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, adding 10-15 minutes to the baking time. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave, oven at 350°F (175°C), or air fryer until heated through.