Shepherds Pie with Tater Tots
Shepherd’s Pie with Tater Tots is a delicious casserole dish with ground meat, cheddar cheese, and mixed vegetables. With just 15 minutes of prep and simple pantry ingredients, you can have a hearty, family-friendly dinner on the table without fuss.
If you like our mini shepherds pies, you’ll love this easy recipe!
I love traditional shepherd’s pie, but it can be time-consuming. This time-saving recipe substitutes mashed potatoes with a layer of crispy tater tots.
While our recipe calls for ground beef, you can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground lamb if you prefer.
This recipe is so easy and always a crowd-pleaser! Try it for your next potluck and I’m sure you’ll find it’s gone in a flash!
Ingredients
This is meant to be a brief overview of this great recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.
- Beef: I like to use lean ground beef, which has plenty of flavor without too much grease. You can also use ground turkey or lamb.
- Frozen Vegetables: This is a big time saver! I use a mixture of frozen vegetables that includes peas, corn, carrots, and green beans. You can add any of your favorite frozen veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, lima beans, etc.
- Beef Consommé – Rich and flavorful! Beef broth or stock can be used instead if needed.
- Onion: I prefer sweet onions, but yellow or white onions work just fine.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds the best flavo,r but garlic powder will work in a pinch.
- All–purpose Flour: Helps thicken the beefy sauce mixture so it’s not too runny. Alternatively, to thicken the sauce and add a different flavor, omit the flour and stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
- Milk: Adds creaminess to the filling. Non-dairy milk also works.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a tangy, umami punch that really makes the meat mixture pop.
- Frozen Tater Tots: You can use traditional tots, ‘crispy crowns’, or even veggie tots. My family thinks it’s especially good with sweet potato tots, but you could also use broccoli and cheese tots, zucchini tots, or any other kind of veggie tots.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese is my go-to for this recipe, but Monterrey Jack or Colby Jack are also delicious choices.
Note: This can also be baked right in an oven-safe skillet, such as a cast iron skillet.
Ang’s Recipe Tips
✔️ Precooking the tater tots a little bit while you are making the meat filling shortens the overall cook time. It also helps keep the tots from getting too soggy.
✔️ This is a great dish to share with a neighbor or friend who needs a meal. Instead of one large 9×13 pan, use two 9×9 pans instead.
Storage
To Store: Let leftovers cool, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)
To Reheat: Microwave individual portions of leftovers in 30-second intervals until heated throughout.
To Freeze: Make the filling mixture, but do not include the tater tots. Place the ground beef filling into a freezer-safe container or bag.
To Thaw: Place in the fridge overnight to thaw, then transfer to a baking dish, top with tater tots, and bake according to instructions.
Serving Suggestions
I love this yummy casserole with a dollop of sour cream, and my daughter likes it with a drizzle of ranch dressing. You can also finish it off with fresh herbs if you like.
This all-in-one meal doesn’t really need anything additional, but if you’re feeding a big crow,d you might add a fresh green salad and some buttery dinner rolls.
Related: Tater Tot Casserole Recipes
I can’t wait for you to give this Shepherd’s Pie with Tater Tots a try — it’s such a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s perfect any night of the week. I love hearing from you, so if you make this recipe, please come back and leave a comment letting me know what you think. A 5-star rating helps other readers, like you, find great recipes, and it totally makes my day!
Shepherds Pie with Tater Tots
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 10 ounce can beef consomme
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- black pepper and kosher salt to taste
- 1 30 ounce bag frozen tater tots
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Place the tater tots on a baking sheet and cook for 10 minutes at 400℉. This is just to jump start the cooking process so the casserole doesn't take as long to cook.1 30 ounce bag frozen tater tots
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef with the onion and garlic on medium-high heat.1 pound lean ground beef, 1/2 cup diced onion, 1 clove garlic
- Sprinkle the flour onto the beef and stir to combine.2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Reduce to medium heat and mix in the milk and beef consume. Cook until it’s bubbly and thickened, stirring constantly.1 10 ounce can beef consomme, 1/2 cup milk
- Remove from the heat and add the Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, black pepper and kosher salt to taste
- Fold in the vegetables.2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- Trasnfer the mixture to a buttered casserole dish.
- Top with cheddar cheese and the partially cooked tater tots arranged in a single layer.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Bake at 425℉ degrees for 25-30 minutes or until the sauce bubbles around the edges and the tater tots are golden brown and delicious!
Video
Nutrition
Similar Recipes
Next time, try one of these delicious recipes:
- chicken bacon ranch tater tot casserole
- tater tot breakfast casserole
- cheesy ranch tater tots
- big mac casserole
- hamburger potato casserole
- buffalo chicken tater tot casserole
If you love hearty ground beef casseroles, you have to try our American Goulash and Cheesy Hamburger Casserole recipes. Our Walking Taco Casserole is great, too!
I have not made shepherd’s pie with tater tots before, but I will try.
I liked your suggestion of using sweet potato tots so thats how I made this, YUMMY!!! The kids gobbled it up!