Description
Comfort meets creativity in this Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole, blending hearty ground beef, savory vegetables, and crispy potato tots into one irresistible dish. Families will devour this twist on classic comfort food that brings warmth and satisfaction to the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground lamb
- 1/4 cup bacon bits
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 cup diced onions
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Tater Tot and Seasoning Layer:
- 1 bag (32 oz / 907 g) frozen tater tots
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup frozen peas
Cheese and Topping:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with a light spray of cooking oil.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and lamb over medium-high heat, breaking the meat into small crumbles until no pink remains.
- Incorporate bacon bits into the meat mixture, creating a rich, smoky foundation.
- Add diced onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the meat, sautéing until vegetables become tender and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and black pepper, ensuring the seasonings coat the meat and vegetables evenly.
- Pour beef broth and tomato paste into the skillet, stirring to create a luxurious, thick sauce that binds the filling together.
- Fold in frozen peas, distributing them throughout the meat mixture for added color and nutrition.
- Transfer the savory meat mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
- Arrange frozen tater tots in a uniform pattern across the top of the meat, covering the entire surface.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots, creating a golden, melty crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots turn crispy and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes to allow the filling to set.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving, adding a fresh, vibrant touch to the comforting dish.
Notes
- Meat Selection: Choose a mix of ground beef and lamb for a richer, more complex flavor profile that elevates the traditional shepherd’s pie.
- Vegetable Prep: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
- Bacon Boost: Crisp bacon bits add a smoky depth that transforms the ordinary into an extraordinary comfort food experience.
- Dietary Adaptations: Substitute ground meat with plant-based alternatives like lentils or beyond meat for a vegetarian version that maintains the dish’s hearty essence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg