Description
Shepherds pie tater tot casserole brings together hearty ground beef and crispy potato tots in a mouthwatering dinner that’ll make your family cheer at the table. Comfort classics never tasted so good when you combine savory meat, veggies, and those golden, crunchy tots for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 28 oz frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup diced yellow onions
- ½ oz canned corn
- 0.87 oz beef gravy mix
- 4 oz instant mashed potato mix
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tablespoon onion powder
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons margarine
- ½ cup milk
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Fire up your oven to 425F and grab a large saute pan for the beef.
- Melt 1 tablespoon margarine in the pan over medium-high heat. Crumble 1 lb ground beef into the pan, breaking it into small pieces while cooking.
- Once beef starts browning, toss in 1 cup diced onions. Stir and cook until onions soften and beef turns completely brown.
- Pour ½ oz canned corn with its liquid into the pan. Blend in ½ cup water, beef gravy mix, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ tablespoon onion powder, and ½ tablespoon garlic powder.
- Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly across a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Combine 1 ½ cups water and 2 tablespoons margarine in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.
- Stir instant mashed potato mix and ½ cup milk into the hot liquid. Let sit 1 minute, then whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Carefully spread mashed potatoes over the beef layer in the baking dish.
- Arrange 28 oz frozen tater tots in a single, uniform layer on top of the potatoes.
- Bake at 425F for 30 minutes until tater tots turn golden and crisp.
- Scatter 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend across the top.
- Return to oven for 4-6 minutes until cheese melts and develops light brown edges.
- Allow casserole to rest 5 minutes before serving to help it set properly.
Notes
- Make sure to drain excess fat from the beef after browning to prevent a greasy casserole.
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef for ground turkey and use low-fat cheese.
- Enhance flavor by adding dried herbs like thyme or rosemary to the beef mixture.
- Prepare instant mashed potatoes carefully to avoid lumps, stirring thoroughly for a smooth texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-42 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 552 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg