Name: Tater Tot Shepherd’s Pie
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 pound lean ground beef; ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1½ cups beef broth; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, green beans); 32 ounces frozen tater tots

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I always enjoy a comforting casserole that’s simple but satisfying, and this version of shepherd’s pie really checks the boxes. It layers seasoned ground beef and veggies with a crispy tater-tot topping, making it both familiar and fun. Tater Tot Shepherd’s Pie

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I like how this dish combines ease and flavor. With pantry staples and frozen veggies plus tater tots, the prep is minimal but the results feel hearty and indulgent. The crunchy potato layer from the tater tots adds a playful texture contrast to the savory beef-veggie filling. It’s also very adaptable for weeknight dinners or feeding a group.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of Ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (such as carrots, peas, corn, green beans)
• 32 ounces frozen tater tots

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 °F (about 190 °C) and position the oven rack in the top third of the oven.
In a large oven-safe skillet (or use a separate 9×13-inch casserole dish if needed), melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté about 5 minutes until softened.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s just browned (about 6-8 minutes).
Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the Italian seasoning, tomato paste, and flour, cooking and stirring constantly for about 1 minute to combine.
Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, and let the sauce thicken slightly (about 1 minute). Stir in the salt.
Add the frozen mixed vegetables and heat through for about 3 minutes, stirring often. If the mixture starts to look too dry, add a little more broth.
Transfer the mixture into the casserole dish if you didn’t cook in an oven-safe skillet. Smooth the filling into an even layer.
Arrange the frozen tater tots on top in a single layer over the filling.
Bake uncovered for about 40 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the tater tots are golden. If you like extra crisp-top, broil for a minute or two at the end—but watch carefully.

Servings And Timing

This recipe serves about 6 people.
Prep time: approximately 10 minutes.
Cook time (including baking): around 1 hour 10 minutes.

Variations

Swap the ground beef for ground lamb for a more traditional shepherd’s-pie feel.
Use fresh vegetables instead of frozen—just sauté them with the onions so they soften properly before baking.
For a cheesy twist, sprinkle about 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese over the tater-tot layer about 10-15 minutes before the end of the bake.
Replace some of the beef broth with red wine for deeper flavour if you want a more elevated version.

Storage/Reheating

I store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Because the tater-tot topping may soften over time, I recommend reheating in the oven or an air fryer rather than the microwave so the topping stays crisp. You can also freeze portions in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven until piping hot.

FAQs

What if I don’t have tater tots?

If I don’t have tater tots on hand, I’ll use frozen diced hash browns or even prepare a mashed-potato topping instead. The texture will differ, but the flavour will still be comforting.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes — to make this gluten-free I’d substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Also check that the tater tots and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely. I can prepare the meat-and-vegetable filling ahead of time (even freeze it), and then just add the tater-tots topping and bake when ready. If using from frozen, I’d allow extra bake time.

What size baking dish should I use?

A 9×13-inch casserole dish works well to hold the volume of the filling and tater-tot topping evenly. If using a skillet, make sure it’s deep, oven-safe and large enough (about 12-inch) so the tots arrange in a single layer.

Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?

Yes, I can use fresh vegetables. If I do, I sauté them with the onions so they have a chance to soften before baking, since frozen veggies are already partially cooked.

Conclusion

I find this Tater Tot Shepherd’s Pie to be a go-to comfort meal that hits the spot with minimal fuss. The combination of savory beef and veggies beneath a layer of crunchy tater tots feels fun and hearty all at once. Whether it’s for a busy weeknight or feeding company, this is a dish I’ll keep in rotation.