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Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole

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Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty casserole with ground beef, corn and diced onions topped with mashed potatoes, tater tots and shredded cheese.

Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty casserole with ground beef, corn and diced onions topped with mashed potatoes, tater tots and shredded cheese.



Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole is an easy ground beef dinner recipe the whole family will love.

Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty casserole with ground beef, corn and diced onions topped with mashed potatoes, tater tots and shredded cheese.

This fun twist on a shepherd’s pie has a thin layer of mashed potatoes followed by a layer of tater tots topped with cheese.

Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty casserole with ground beef, corn and diced onions topped with mashed potatoes, tater tots and shredded cheese.

This tater tot casserole takes just under an hour from start to finish and serves six people.

Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty casserole with ground beef, corn and diced onions topped with mashed potatoes, tater tots and shredded cheese.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 cup diced yellow onions
  • 12 oz canned corn, not drained
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 0.87 oz beef gravy mix
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tbsp garlic powder

Mashed Potatoes

  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 2 tbsp margarine
  • 4 oz instant mashed potato mix
  • 1/2 cup milk

Topping

  • 28 oz frozen tater tots
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don’t miss out on any important tips and tricks!

 Step by Step Instructions for Making Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole 

 STEP 1: 

To make this casserole, I started by dumping a pound of lean ground beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat along with a dab of margarine or butter.

I crumbled the ground beef well as it cooked.

 STEP 2: 

I added some diced onions to the pan with the ground beef while it was cooking.

I stirred well and continued cooking until the onions were translucent and the ground beef was fully cooked.

 STEP 3: 

I added some canned corn to the pan.

I stirred well.

 STEP 4: 

Then I added some water, gravy mix, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder to the pan. 

I stirred until all of the meat mixture was coated in gravy.

 STEP 5: 

Then I dumped the ground beef mixture into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.

ground beef and corn mixture in a baking dish

 STEP 6: 

I dumped some water and margarine into a medium pot on the stove.

I brought the water to a boil.

Then I removed the pot from the heat and added some instant mashed potatoes and milk to the pot.

 STEP 7: 

I stirred just until the ingredients were combined and then left the potatoes to sit for one minute.

After one minute, I stirred the potatoes until smooth and creamy.

 STEP 8: 

Then I spread the mashed potatoes over the ground beef mixture.

I placed some frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the mashed potatoes.

 STEP 9: 

Then I placed the casserole in the oven and baked it for thirty minutes.

After thirty minutes I removed the dish from the oven.

Then I sprinkled some shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top of the tater tots.

 STEP 10: 

I returned the dish to the oven and continued baking until the cheese was fully melted and just starting to brown.

Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty casserole with ground beef, corn and diced onions topped with mashed potatoes, tater tots and shredded cheese.

Then I removed the casserole from the oven and left it to sit for a few minutes before serving.

Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty casserole with ground beef, corn and diced onions topped with mashed potatoes, tater tots and shredded cheese.

This cheesy twist on shepherd’s pie is the perfect comfort food.

Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty casserole with ground beef, corn and diced onions topped with mashed potatoes, tater tots and shredded cheese.

This ground beef and potato casserole is sure to please both kids and adults.

Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty casserole with ground beef, corn and diced onions topped with mashed potatoes, tater tots and shredded cheese.

If you are looking for a fun and easy ground beef dinner idea, then you need to try this Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole!

Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty casserole with ground beef, corn and diced onions topped with mashed potatoes, tater tots and shredded cheese.

Just take me to the Recipe –> Click HERE <

FAQS:

How should I store Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

What substitutions could I make?

  • Ground Beef: Any ground meat can work in this recipe including ground chicken and sausage meat.
  • Instant Mashed Potatoes: Feel free to make homemade mashed potatoes for this recipe.
  • Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese: A variety of cheeses would work for this recipe including Monterey jack and provolone.
Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty casserole with ground beef, corn and diced onions topped with mashed potatoes, tater tots and shredded cheese.

Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole

Yield: 6 people
Prep Time: 24 minutes
Cook Time: 36 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a hearty casserole with ground beef, corn and diced onions topped with mashed potatoes, tater tots and shredded cheese.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 cup diced yellow onions
  • 12 oz canned corn, not drained
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 0.87 oz beef gravy mix
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tbsp garlic powder

Mashed Potatoes

  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 2 tbsp margarine
  • 4 oz instant mashed potato mix
  • 1/2 cup milk

Topping

  • 28 oz frozen tater tots
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425F.
  2. Dump ground beef into a large saute pan over medium-high heat, along with a dab of margarine or butter.
  3. Crumble the ground beef well as it cooks.
  4. Add the diced onions to the pan with the ground beef while it's cooking.
  5. Stir well and continue cooking until the onions are translucent and the ground beef is fully cooked.
  6. Add the canned corn to the pan and stir well.
  7. Add the water, gravy mix, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder to the pan and stir until all of the ground beef is coated in gravy.
  8. Dump the ground beef mixture into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.
  9. Set the dish aside while you prepare the mashed potatoes.
  10. Pour the water and margarine into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
  11. Once the water is boiling remove the pan from the heat and pour in the mashed potato mix and the milk.
  12. Stir just until combined and then let the potatoes sit for 1 minute.
  13. After one minute stir until smooth and creamy.
  14. Spread the mashed potatoes over the ground beef mixture in the baking dish.
  15. Place the tater tots in a single layer on top of the mashed potatoes.
  16. Place the dish in the oven and bake the casserole for 30 minutes.
  17. After 30 minutes remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the tater tots.
  18. Return the dish to the oven and continue baking until the cheese on top is completely melted and just starting to brown. 4-6 minutes.
  19. Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to sit for a few minutes before serving.
  20. Enjoy!

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Margie McGee

Monday 11th of December 2023

Do you use the Tater Tots frozen or defrosted for the topping?

Erin

Monday 11th of December 2023

Frozen

HH

Tuesday 2nd of May 2023

Made this almost as directed, will make again, it was a hit with everyone that had it, but will try mixed veggies next time , instead of just the corn

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