Tater Tot Shepherds Pie

Dig into the ultimate comfort food with this Tater Tot Shepherd’s Pie! This easy, hearty dish features a savory meat and veggie filling topped with crispy, golden tater tots, and there’s no need to prep mashed potatoes! Perfect for busy nights when you need something fast, filling, and delicious!

Why This Recipe Works

• Simple – No need to pre-cook or mess with potatoes. The frozen tots make this recipe easy peasy!
• Fast and Filling – Comfort food at its best and done in under an hour.
• Complete Meal – No need for side dishes with this one! Meat, veggies and potatoes included in a single pan.

I’ve been digging into last year’s numbers, and guess what? Comfort food tops the list! That’s why I’m bringing you this Tater Tot Shepherd’s Pie, a fun twist on the classic with no need to prep mashed potatoes. Just layer meat, veggies, and crispy tater tots for a hearty, one-pan meal that’s easy to make and clean up!

What Is The Difference Between Shepherds Pie and Cottage Pie?

The term “cottage pie” predates “shepherd’s pie” by a century, but the terms were used interchangeably for quite some time. Technically, the type of meat that is used in the dish is the main difference between the two. Shepherd’s pie typically involves lamb and cottage pie uses beef.

Ingredients for Tater Tot Shepherd’s Pie

Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor results.

Olive oil – For sauteing the veggies.

Carrots – Using baby carrots makes this super easy, but feel free to use approximately 1 ½ cups sliced regular carrots. 

Onion – White or yellow. Don’t use a red onion.

Parsley – Italian, flat-leaf.

Seasonings – Salt and pepper are all you’ll need.

Ground beef – Or ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner meal.

Flour – Used as a thickening agent. Use any variety of flour, including all-purpose flour or a gluten-free variety.

Beef broth or stock – Substitute with chicken stock or vegetable broth if desired.

Worcestershire sauce – Adds so much flavor.

Peas and corn – Use frozen. No need to thaw first. You can also use a frozen veggie mix. There’s no need to stick to peas and corn.

32 oz tater tots (aka frozen potato rounds) – No need to thaw these before adding to the pan. Use them straight from the freezer!

Cheddar cheese – Or any melty variety such as mozzarella, colby jack or your favorite variety.

How to Make Shepherd’s Pie with Tater Tots

This is a basic breakdown of the full recipe instructions you can find at the bottom of this post. Use the recipe card for complete directions.

Step 1

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Cook the carrots, onion, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Push the veggies to the sides of the pan and add ground meat to the center, cooking and stirring until no longer pink.

Step 2

Whisk in the flour and add beef broth (or stock) and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the peas and corn and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 3

Preheat your oven and coat a casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading in an even layer. Top with an even layer of frozen tater tots. 

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the tots are crispy.

Step 4

Top with the shredded cheddar and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese has melted. 

Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes & Tips

• Use a gluten free all purpose flour substitute if needed.
• Some tater tots contain milk. Be sure to check ingredients if you require dairy free ingredients.
• Get an anchovy-free Worcester sauce if you are allergic to or avoid fish.
• Use your favorite melty shredded cheese.
• Sub ground beef for turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
• Use a bag of frozen mixed vegetables if you don’t feel like cutting carrots.

How to Serve Tater Tot Shepherd Pie

This tater tot casserole is a complete meal in itself, but sometimes you still want an extra something to go with it. These are a few of my favorite suggestions. You can click on the linked words to find a complete list of What To Serve With Shepherd’s Pie!

• Instant Pot Mushrooms
• Classic Chopped Salad 
• Roasted Vegetables 
• Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts 
• Baked Asparagus
• Garlic Bread 

Spices for Shepherds Pie

I keep this classic dish simple with just salt and black pepper, but there are tons of herbs or spices you can add to your shepherd’s pie filling for an easy way to add extra flavor. These are a few of my favorites I sometimes use.

• Paprika – you can use regular paprika or smoked paprika for an increased depth of flavor
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Italian seasoning
• Onion or garlic powder

How to Make Ahead and Enjoy Later

Option 1: Prepare the recipe in its entirety (baking included) and let cool. Cover and refrigerate. When ready to enjoy, bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, or until warmed through.

Option 2: Prepare the recipe up until the point when it needs to be baked. Cover and refrigerate. When ready to enjoy, bake according to recipe instructions.

How To Store Tater Tot Cottage Pie

Any leftover shepherd’s pie should cool completely before storage. Store any leftovers in appropriately sized airtight containers and refrigerate for 5-7 days. See freezing instructions below.

How To Reheat Leftover Shepherd’s Pie

Reheat shepherd’s pie in a 250-degree F oven uncovered for 15 minutes or until heated through. 

Or you can heat individual servings in the microwave in 1-minute bursts until heated through.

How To Freeze Shepherds Pie

You can easily make this recipe ahead of time and freeze it for later. I’ve included instructions for freezing both a cooked or uncooked version.

Unbaked – Assemble the shepherd’s pie as directed in an aluminum baking pan and wrap tightly in foil. Place the entire pan into a resealable freezer safe bag. Freeze for up to 4 months. 

When you are ready to enjoy the casserole, let it thaw completely (preferably in the fridge overnight) and bake as directed on the recipe.

Baked – Assemble the layers and bake as directed in an aluminum baking pan. Let the casserole cool completely and wrap tightly in foil. Place into resealable freezer bags and freeze for 3-4 months. You can also slice portions after it cools and freeze them individually.

When you are ready to enjoy the casserole, let it thaw completely (preferably in the fridge overnight). Reheat in a 250 degree F oven uncovered for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

More Comfort Food Recipes

• Crockpot Chicken Tetrazzini
• Big Mac Sloppy Joes
• Loaded Baked Potato Soup
• Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

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