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Cozy Shepherd’s Pie Tots

Category: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

Shepherd’s pie gets a twist with tater tots, beef, potatoes, and gooey cheese. Ready to eat in under an hour.
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Barbara Chef
Updated on Mon, 26 May 2025 21:02:15 GMT
shepherd’s pie tater tot casserole Highlight
shepherd’s pie tater tot casserole | cookwithcarla.com
Tater Tot Shepherd's Pie Mashup is a cozy combo of two old favorites, coming together for a simple, crowd-pleasing dinner. Think layers of savory goodness with soft mashed potatoes and beef, all crowned with crunchy tater tots. The whole thing is warm and super satisfying, awesome when you're short on time or need comfort food everyone can gather around. I've kept this dinner in rotation for years, especially when it gets cold out. The bold beef taste and crispy tater tots always make my family excited to dig in.

Irresistible Ingredients

Shredded Cheese: Mozzarella and cheddar melt together for some gooey yum.Frozen Tater Tots: That crispy top layer is key.Instant Mashed Potatoes: No need to peel and boil—these make it simple.Beef Gravy Mix: Kicks up the richness and thickens everything.Canned Corn: Has a bit of sweetness, plus its liquid keeps things moist.Yellow Onion: Adds just enough sweet flavor when cooked down.Ground Beef: Gives a hearty bite and stands as the filling's base, but ground turkey or chicken can swap in if you like.

Step-by-Step Method

Finish With Cheese: Once the tater tots are crispy and golden, toss some shredded cheese on and bake again for a quick melt.Top With Tots: Evenly spread the frozen tater tots on top of the potatoes.Bake: Slide it into a 425°F oven for about 30 minutes, keeping an eye out for those crispy tots.Mash Potato Prep: Boil water and butter, turn off the heat, stir in your potato flakes and milk, then whisk till smooth. Smear that right on top of the beef base.Beef Filling Time: On medium-high, melt butter and crumble in the beef. Add onion, and cook till they soften. Next, stir in canned corn (with all its juice), water, gravy mix, and season. Let it simmer, then pour it in a greased pan.
tater tot shepherd's pie casserole Highlight
tater tot shepherd's pie casserole | cookwithcarla.com
Honestly, I crave the deep flavor that gravy adds to the filling. My kids love the crunch of the tater tots with the creamy potatoes—every forkful is just right.

What to Eat It With

Veg Sidekick: Goes great with roasted veggies or a crisp salad.Side Dish Ideas: Grab a warm roll or some tomato soup—it'll make things extra cozy.

Twist Ideas

Crispy Edge: Pop tater tots in the air fryer first for crunch you can't beat.Get Spicy: Stir in crushed red pepper or some diced jalapeños.Switch Up the Cheese: Smoked gouda, Colby Jack, or pepper jack give a brand new flavor.

Keep It Fresh

Storing Leftovers: Put in an airtight box and stick it in the fridge for three days max.Freezer Move: It freezes well before baking, so you can prep ahead.Heat It Back Up: Best way is in the oven (350°F) or air fryer for staying crispy.
Tater Tot Shepherd's Pie Mashup is my go-to because it’s easy and everybody’s happy. Great for dinner or make-ahead lunches—it always comes out comfy and filling.
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simple tater tot shepherd's pie casserole | cookwithcarla.com

Recipe FAQs

→ Could I swap ground beef for turkey?
For a lighter meal, go with ground turkey or even chicken—they both work great.
→ Is it okay to toss in more veggies?
Go for it! Add some peas, carrot slices, or green beans to bump up the nutrition.
→ Can I prep this in advance?
Yep, just put it together and stick it in the fridge. When baking from cold, throw on 5 more minutes.
→ What if I use homemade mashed potatoes?
You can swap in a couple cups of fresh mashed potatoes for store-bought ones if you want.
→ Which cheese melts best here?
Cheddar or mozzarella does the trick. Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or Colby Jack are tasty too.

Cozy Shepherd’s Pie Tots

A filling meal with beef, mashed potatoes, and crispy tots. Plenty of melty cheese on top. Your folks will love it.

Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
50 min

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary Preferences: ~

Ingredients

→ Beef Mixture

01 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
02 1/2 tbsp onion powder
03 1/2 tsp pepper
04 1/2 tsp salt
05 0.87 oz beef gravy mix
06 1/2 cup water
07 12 oz canned corn (liquid included)
08 1 cup diced yellow onions
09 1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey works too)

→ Mashed Potatoes

10 1/2 cup milk
11 4 oz instant mashed potato flakes
12 2 tbsp margarine (or butter)
13 1 1/2 cups water

→ Topping

14 2 cups shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese mix
15 28 oz bag frozen tater tots

Steps

Step 01

Cool it down just a bit after taking it out. Dig in once it's warm, not piping hot.

Step 02

Throw it in the oven for half an hour. Once the tater tots look nice and crisp, pull it out, toss on the shredded cheese, put it back in for 4 to 6 minutes so the cheese melts and browns a bit.

Step 03

Grease up a 9x13 dish. Spread the beef blend in first, add a thick layer of mashed potatoes, and then arrange the tater tots all snug on top.

Step 04

Heat 1 1/2 cups water and 2 tablespoons margarine to a boil in a pot. Take it off the heat, stir in the potato flakes and half a cup of milk, wait a minute or so, then stir till smooth and fluffy.

Step 05

Pour in your can of corn with all the juice, add that half cup water, gravy mix, some salt and pepper, garlic and onion powder. Blend it all and let it cook for a few minutes.

Step 06

Fire up your oven to 425°F. Melt a bit of butter or margarine in a deep pan set over medium-high. Drop in the ground beef or turkey, breaking it up as it cooks. When it starts to brown, stir in the diced onion till the beef's totally cooked and onions go soft.

Notes

  1. Switch out ground beef with turkey or chicken if you want it lighter.
  2. A handful of peas, green beans, or carrots adds color and a vitamin boost.
  3. Make everything ahead and stash it in the fridge. If you bake straight from cold, just tack on 5 extra minutes to the oven time.
  4. Swap in whatever shredded cheese you've got, like Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even spicy Pepper Jack.

Required Equipment

  • Large pan for sautéing
  • 9x13 baking dish
  • Pot for mashed potatoes
  • Big spoon or spatula for stirring

Allergen Information

Double-check every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Dairy (cheese, milk, butter or margarine)
  • Gluten (make sure your gravy mix and tater tots say gluten-free if that matters)