Description

This Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish that combines seasoned ground beef, mixed vegetables, and rich cheeses layered under a crispy tater tot topping. Cooked slowly in a crockpot, it melds classic shepherd’s pie flavors with the convenience of a tater tot casserole for an easy, family-friendly meal perfect for any day of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat & Vegetables

1 lb. ground beef
½ yellow onion, diced
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
10 oz. frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, green beans, and peas)

Seasonings & Sauces

½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
1 tsp. thyme
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 cup beef broth

Cheeses & Topping

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
32 oz. frozen tater tots
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

Sauté beef and onions: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onions until the beef is browned and the onions are tender. Drain any excess grease to avoid a greasy casserole.
Add seasonings: Stir the minced garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and tomato paste into the cooked beef mixture to build deep, savory flavor.
Transfer to crockpot: Pour the beef and seasonings mixture into a 6-quart crockpot, spreading it out evenly as the base layer.
Add vegetables and broth: Top the beef mixture with the frozen mixed vegetables and pour in the beef broth. Stir gently to combine everything together.
Layer cheese and tater tots: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the vegetable layer, then place the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top. Finally, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots as the final topping.
Cook slowly: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on the low setting for 5 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the tater tots to cook through and become crispy on top.
Serve: Once cooked, serve the casserole hot for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Notes

You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or lamb for a different protein choice.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the oven to help maintain crispy tater tots.
Although this dish is a complete meal, it pairs well with a fresh green salad to add brightness to your dinner.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6th of casserole)
Calories: 460 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0.3 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg