Shepherd's Pie Tater Tot Casserole

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Tater tot casserole meets shepherd’s pie in this fun twist of a one-pot meal. Frozen veggies add heartiness while shredded cheddar tops everything off, giving you a complete meal the whole family will surely enjoy.

Looking for another comfort food classic meal to try? Take a look at my Slow Cooker Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole and Chicken Broccoli Stuffing Casserole.

shepherd's pie in a slow cooker with a spoon in it.

Why this tater tot shepherd’s pie recipe works

If you’ve never made shepherd pie with tater tots, then you are in for a real treat. Instead of whipping up a helping of mashed potatoes, you can take the easy route by using frozen tater tots and still add the touch of potato. This twist on traditional shepherd’s pie has a quick prep and moderate cooking time, meaning you can prepare this by dinnertime.

This is a great comfort food to make when you need a main course but don’t have the time to cook and are not a fan of cooking many different things.

ingredients for shepherd's pie tater tot casserole on a table.

Recipe Ingredients

Ground Beef: This will be browned and sauteed with onion and other seasonings before being added to the crockpot. You can use a lean ground beef to have less grease.
Tater Tots: You can use a bag of frozen tater tots. They don’t have to be defrosted or precooked ahead of time.
Beef Broth: The broth acts as a moisture component and keeps the casserole from sticking.
Frozen Mixed Vegetables: Skip grabbing a bunch of cans of vegetables and take the easy route of using a bag of frozen mixed vegetables. It has all you need from corn and peas to green beans and carrots (already diced and chopped).
Meat Mixture: Tomato paste, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and thyme are added after the ground beef and onions have been sauteed to give them amazing flavor.
Mozzarella Cheese: Sprinkled on at the end for the finishing cheesy touch.

Step-by-Step Directions

Six images of how to make shepherd's tater tot casserole in a crockpot.

Step One – Sauté beef and onions in a skillet over medium high heat until beef is browned, and onions are tender. Drain any excess grease before adding in the garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and tomato paste. Stir to combine well.

Step Two – Pour the ground beef mixture into the slow cooker. Then, top with the mixed vegetables.

Step Three – Pour in the beef broth and stir to combine.

Step Four – Add a single layer of mozzarella cheese.

Step Five – Add a single layer of tater tots.

Step Six – Finish the casserole with a layer of shredded cheddar cheese. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours. Serve hot and enjoy!

close up of shepherd's pie tater tot casserole on a wooden spoon in a crockpot.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Can I speed up the cooking time by cooking it on high?

I recommend cooking it on low to give everything time to cook together and not burn or stick to the crock pot.

What other ground meat can I use in this recipe?

I have seen some recipes where people use ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground lamb. I think it’s a personal preference.

Are there other ingredients I can add for even more flavor?

You can add a can of mushroom soup, onion powder, and other herbs. You can even add a fun twist by using sweet potato tater tots. You also can’t go wrong by adding a few extra veggies.

How do I store leftovers?

Add any remaining tater tot shepherd’s pie to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat the pie in the oven on a low heat.

What pairs well with shepherd’s pie?

A side salad adds a refreshing taste, especially since this meal includes meat and several sides all put together. You can also add a side of Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, or beets.

tater tot casserole with shepherd's pie flavors on a plate.

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