Tater Tot Shepherd's Pie
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
516 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Tater Tot Shepherd's Pie
Description
This Tater Tot Shepherd's Pie combines browned ground beef cooked with onions, Italian seasoning, and tomato paste, thickened by flour and enhanced with beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Frozen mixed vegetables such as peas, carrots, corn, and green beans are stirred in to add color and nutrition. After cooking and combining, the mixture is spread in a baking dish or oven-safe skillet, topped evenly with frozen tater tots, and baked until the tots are crispy and golden.
The dish offers a hearty, comforting texture contrast with a moist, savory filling beneath a crisp topping. It makes a filling meal especially for cooler weather. The recipe notes that the fat from ground beef is intentionally retained to enhance flavor and texture, but leaner beef may require some fat removal.
Frozen mixed vegetables and tater tots should be thawed slightly or used straight from frozen based on timing and preference. Leftover tater tots can be saved for future use. The dish is baked at 375°F with the oven rack placed in the top third for optimal cooking.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 pound ground beef lean, or lamb
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1.5 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups mixed vegetables see note, frozen
- 32 ounces tater tots see note, frozen
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375F and move the rack to the top third of the oven.
- Add the butter to a large skillet and melt over medium-high heat, then add the onions and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add the beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with your spoon as you go along, until just browned (about 6-8 minutes).
- Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the Italian seasoning, tomato paste, and flour. Cook (stirring constantly), for about one minute.
- Stir in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and salt, and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let the liquid thicken up a bit (about 1 minute).
- Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables and heat them through for about 3 minutes, stirring often. Do not let the mixture get too dry (add a splash more broth if it does dry out).
- Transfer the meat mixture to a 9x13 casserole dish, smooth it in an even layer, and then arrange the tater tots on top. Or, if your skillet is oven-safe, large, and deep, you can make the casserole right in the skillet like I did (I used a 12" Le Creuset). I arrange the tater tots from the outside in when doing it in a skillet.
- Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Optional: broil for a few minutes (watch it carefully) to brown the tater tots a bit more.
Notes
- Frozen mixed vegetables usually include peas, carrots, corn, and green beans; find these in the frozen aisle.
- Tater tots come in various package sizes; leftovers can be resealed and saved for later.
- Fat from ground beef is kept to add moisture and flavor; drain some if beef is very fatty.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 516 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 516kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 53g | 18% |
| Protein | 22g | 44% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 59mg | 20% |
| Sodium | 1287mg | 54% |
| Potassium | 906mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 3290IU | 66% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
| Calcium | 62mg | 6% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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