I love how easy this is to make because using tater tots this casserole recipe usually has just about everything I need in my pantry any weeknight.
I keep ground beef and tater tots in the freezer religiously since they are two staples to start out an easy meal any day of the week.
You may have seen a Tater Tot Casserole before and chances it's not very impressive for photography, I get it!
But with the addition of green beans or corn (which are a family first picks) sometimes you have to have kids eat something green and be sneaky about it.
Of course, you can always add both if you like.
We made many pasta casseroles, economical bean meals, and one-pan meals being on the go and busy lifestyles, we need those kinds of quick meals that fill you up and are tasty, this is one of them.
The first time I made this, looking at it just didn't strike me as delicious until that first bite, especially being an Italian blog this was out of my realm of recipes, but hey the kids love it and it's easy peasy.
This is so much like a modern-day shepherd's pie (mashed potato shepherd's pie), just with a crunchy cheesy potato topping and much creamier beef.
Scroll down to the bottom and check out or print this yummy recipe.
Updated Traditional Shepherd's Pie
The original shepherd's pie has many recipes and versions and when we first tasted this casserole-style with tater tots, immediately everyone said this tasted just like shepherd's pie just with a cheesy cream sauce.
I adapted to the recipe by adding corn instead of peas you would find in an original style cottage pie or shepherd's pie and of course tater tots are used instead of mashed potatoes.
This basic recipe can be changed to what your family prefers, substitute a different cheese, shredded potatoes or other kinds of potato frozen, any vegetable you like, and even use a different kind of cream soup as written and mentioned in this recipe card below.
There is no right or wrong, use what you have on hand for those basic ingredients and create this new and innovative recipe any way you like.
Ingredients You Will Need to Make Tater Tot Sheperd's Pie
scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements
- ground beef
- green beans or corn (or both)
- sour cream
- cream soup (cream of chicken, mushroom, or cheddar cheese soup)
- Worcestershire sauce
- salt, pepper
- granulated garlic powder
- extra-sharp shredded cheddar cheese divided
- frozen tater tots or more to cover the top of the casserole
- frozen or canned corn drained (or use peas and corn combination)
Substitutions:
Below are suggestions for substitutions in the recipe as written
- Peas
- Carrots
- Onions
- Cream soups of any kind
- Hash browns
- Mashed potatoes
- Ground pork, ground venison, ground turkey, ground lamb
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Tater Tot Casserole
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 55 MinTotal time: 1 H & 5 M
This is a delicious creamy cheesy ground beef and potato meal is so easily made in no time and one of those comfort foods the kids can't get enough of! Tater tots with a cheese topping and baked to golden perfection!
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef (the leaner the better)
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 15 oz can green beans, drained
- 10.75 oz can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups frozen tater tots
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Grease a casserole dish with cooking spray. then aside.
- Saute the ground beef until the pink is gone then drain the fat
- Stir in the onion and cook for 5 minutes..
- Add the garlic and cook, for another minute.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce and season with salt and pepper (I like a little cayenne pepper for heat).
- Pour into the greased baking dish..
- Pour the cream of mushroom soup mixed with sour cream, drained green beans, then sprinkle the top with cheddar cheese.
- Top with the tater tots.
- Bake in the preheated oven for around 55 minutes to an hour until the potatoes are crispy.
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Disclosure: This recipe was originally posted to this blog 2011. It was edited and re-published in 2020.
I've never been one for lamb, but you made it look amazing! I'd definitely try it!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a much better version of shepherds pie than the one I had at the Irish festival years ago. I am glad that you have noted that the gravy is served separately-I would rather measure it out to my own liking than have some soupy serving.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice of meat and nicely layered-thanks for sharing this one Claudia-yum!
Lamb, I promise no baaad jokes. I bet this is incredible. Cool weather coming at the end of the week. This will be a good hearty dish to warm me up. Plus it will get me in the mood for my trip to Ireland.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of shepherds pie, but don't believe I've made the REAL lamb version. Please check my blog today if you get a chance.
ReplyDeleteVery tasty looking. My wife just made Shepard's pie this weekend. Or cottage pie as she calls it.
ReplyDeleteThat looks awesome with the corn!
I've never done this cheese. That would add melty goodness! Comforting fare from Florida!
ReplyDeleteIt looks delicious! I haven't eaten much lamb so should try this!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good, Claudia!
ReplyDeleteClaudia...This dish has been a staple on our menu. Mostly done the same way except for a few twists here an there. The garlic mashed potatoes will certainly be a twist I'll have to try next time as well ;o)
ReplyDeleteHave a great day and flavourful wishes,
Claudia
Dear Claudia, This is a perfect fall meal. I love meals like this. Have a great day. Blessings, Catherine xo
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike - I just made my own version of this dish this week. Yum! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI love sheperds pie - you did it up right with the lamb! Love all that corn you topped it with!
ReplyDeleteGrumpy loves shepherds pie but I didn't grow up with it so I don't know much about it or think of making it. I should try it for him but I would probably skip the lamb...I have not ever been able to eat lamb. Maybe is psychological...not sure!
ReplyDeletethis looks yummy wonderfully done
ReplyDeleteThis is great comfort food and I love that you use garlic mashed potatoes. I will definitely try your version
ReplyDeleteWow this looks amazing! Shepherd's Pie is my favorite, never tried it with lamb! Yum :)
ReplyDeleteI've never tried lamb. Recipe sounds good.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winner.
This looks so good. I love shepherds pie. I disliked it as a kid but have grown to love it as an adult. Your version is amazing.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I loved shepherd's pie back in Ireland, with any sort of meat, so I'm sure this would be a winner :)
ReplyDeleteShepherds pie is one of my favorites! This sounds delicious Claudia =)
ReplyDeleteThat's a fun twist and it surely looks very delicious and soul comforting.
ReplyDeleteThis is the perfect comfort food. Can't wait to make it again!
ReplyDeleteA really great cozy and nostalgic meal.
ReplyDeleteI love casseroles topped with tater tots! So classic, Claudia, and so comforting at this time. Hope you are staying safe!
ReplyDelete