Description
Hearty shepherd’s pie tater tot casserole blends classic comfort with crispy potato toppings. Midwest home cooking meets gourmet creativity in this satisfying meal perfect for family dinners you’ll savor with joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) lean ground beef
- 28 oz (794 g) frozen tater tots
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend
Filling Ingredients:
- 1 cup diced yellow onions
- 12 oz (340 g) canned corn, not drained
- 0.87 oz (25 g) beef gravy mix
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
Seasoning and Potato Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) water (for mashed potatoes)
- 2 tablespoons margarine (for mashed potatoes)
- 4 oz (113 g) instant mashed potato mix
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 425°F, preparing for a comforting meal.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Introduce diced onions to the beef, sautéing until the onions become translucent and the meat is completely cooked through.
- Enhance the mixture by stirring in canned corn with its liquid, water, gravy mix, and seasonings, ensuring the beef is thoroughly coated with the savory sauce.
- Carefully transfer the beef mixture into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Prepare instant mashed potatoes by boiling water and margarine, then removing from heat. Mix in potato flakes and milk, stirring until smooth and creamy.
- Gently spread the creamy mashed potatoes as a uniform layer over the beef mixture.
- Create a crispy topping by arranging a single layer of tater tots across the potato surface.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until golden and bubbling.
- Pull the dish from the oven, sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese on top, and return to the oven for 4-6 minutes until the cheese melts and develops a light golden color.
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes, letting the flavors meld and the dish settle before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a leaner, healthier version of this classic comfort dish.
- Replace instant mashed potatoes with homemade mashed potatoes for a more authentic, rich flavor profile and increased nutritional value.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gruyere, or pepper jack to add unexpected depth and complexity to the casserole.
- For a gluten-free option, use cornstarch or gluten-free gravy mix and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg