Tater Tot Shepherds Pie is a fun twist on the classic dish that will have your whole family asking for seconds. Made with layers of ground beef, and mixed vegetables, and topped with crispy tater tots, this dish is sure to become a new favorite.
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What makes this recipe irresistible
I love that while this dish is hearty and comforting it only takes about 15 minutes of prep time in the kitchen so that means I can spend more time with my family and less time in the kitchen.
Plus, if you ask me the crispy tater tots on the top just give this hearty casserole just give this dish something a little extra that traditional shepherd's pie can't match.
Ingredients
Refer to the printable recipe card below for the exact measurements.
Tater Tot Shepherds Pie Casserole
Equipment
- large fry pan
- 9x13 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 1-½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 white onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon Montreal steak seasoning
- 10 ounce bag of frozen mixed vegetables
- 4 ounces canned sliced mushrooms
- 10.5 cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 28 ounce bag frozen tater tots you'll use a little over half a bag.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° degrees. Spray the baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onions. Cook until browned—season with Montreal steak seasoning.
- Next, stir in the frozen vegetables, sliced mushrooms, cream of mushrooms soup and milk. Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread it evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the beef mixture. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with minced parsley or sliced green onions.
Notes
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Nutrition
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, check the recipe card.
- Preheat the oven. Spray the baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add the ground beef and diced onions to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until browned—season with Montreal steak seasoning.
- Stir in the frozen vegetables, sliced mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup and milk. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese.
- Spoon the meat mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the mixture. Top with tater tots.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
If your casserole is soggy that usually means that you didn't bake it long enough. Remove the casserole dish from the oven when the tater tots are golden brown and crispy on the top.
Techincally, yes. You can use any type of frozen potato on top of this dish. However, I've found that the other potatoes don't get as crispy as the tater tots, so I really recommend using them if possible.
Creative variations to try
- You can reduce the fat in this recipe, by using ground turkey instead of ground beef. You may need to add a little olive oil to the turkey to prevent it from sticking to the pan while you brown it.
- Instead of using frozen mixed vegetables, you can use any frozen veggies that your family prefers. Sometimes, if I don't have mixed vegetables I will use half a bag of green beans and half a bag of peas and carrots. Or fresh chopped vegetables. That will work too.
Deb's tips for the perfect dish
Do not cover this casserole while you are baking it otherwise, the tots won't crisp up.
More recipes you'll love
Are you looking for more hearty ground beef casseroles to add to your meal plan this month? Some of my favorite casseroles are below. They all make a great meal that your whole family will love.!
The Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole has all the flavor of your favorite family sandwich. Your whole family will love it! The Ground Beef Tater Tot Recipe is another kid-friendly favorite!
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
I like to turn this Sheperd's Pie Tater Tot Casseorle into a complete meal by serving it alongside a simple green side dish like these Crack Green Beans or Steamed Brussels Sprouts. And, to satisfy your sweet cravings you can never go wrong with these Gooey S'mores Bars. What's better than marshmallows and chocolate together?
Wrapping it up
Casseroles make such a great dinner idea when you need something filling and family-friendly. So, if you need some help making this recipe or have some feedback, leave me a comment and I'd love to hear from you!
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