A comforting twist on the classic Shepherd’s Pie, this dish combines a rich, savory meat and vegetable filling with a crispy layer of golden Tater Tots and melted cheese.
⏱️ Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6
🥩 Ingredients
🔸 For the Filling:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 lbs (700g) ground beef (or lamb for a traditional touch)
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste
🔸 For the Topping:
1 (32 oz) bag frozen Tater Tots
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
1 cup frozen corn (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
- 🔥 Preheat
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). - 🧅 Cook the Aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft (about 5 minutes). Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. - 🍖 Brown the Meat
Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed. - 🥘 Make the Filling
Sprinkle flour over the meat and stir for 1 minute
Add tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper
Pour in the beef broth and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened
Stir in the frozen vegetables - 🧀 Assemble
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish (if your skillet isn’t oven-safe)
(Optional) Add a layer of corn on top
Sprinkle 1 cup of cheddar cheese
Arrange Tater Tots evenly on top - 🔥 Bake
Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the Tater Tots are golden and crispy. - 🧀 Add Final Cheese
Remove from the oven, sprinkle the remaining cheese, and bake for another 3–5 minutes until melted. - 🍽️ Serve
Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.