Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot Casserole

Shepherd’s Pie Tater Tot CasseroleThis recipe takes the classic flavors of a Shepherd’s Pie—savory meat and vegetable filling, creamy corn, and a potato topping—and gives it a fun, modern twist with a layer of crispy Tater Tots.Prep Time: 20 minutesCook Time: 40 minutesTotal Time: 1 hourServings: 6—IngredientsFor the Filling:· 1 tablespoon olive oil· 1 medium yellow onion, diced· 2 cloves garlic, minced· 1.5 pounds ground beef (or ground lamb for a more traditional shepherd’s pie)· 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)· 2 tablespoons tomato paste· 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce· 1 cup beef broth· 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour· 1 teaspoon dried thyme· Salt and black pepper to tasteFor the Topping:· 1 (32 oz) bag frozen Tater Tots· 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided· 1 cup frozen corn kernels (optional, for an extra layer)· Fresh chopped parsley for garnish (optional)—Instructions1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).2. Cook the Aromatics: In a large, oven-safe skillet (a 10-12 inch cast iron or stainless steel skillet is perfect), heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.3. Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.4. Make the Filling: Sprinkle the flour over the cooked meat and stir for 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste. Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine.· Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.· Stir in the 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat.5. Assemble the Casserole:· If you used an oven-safe skillet, you can assemble it right in the pan. If not, transfer the meat mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish.· (Optional Layer) For an extra classic shepherd’s pie touch, spread the 1 cup of frozen corn kernels in an even layer over the meat mixture.· Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over the meat (and corn) layer.· Arrange the frozen Tater Tots in a single, tight layer on top, covering the entire surface.6. Bake: Place the skillet or baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the Tater Tots are golden brown and crispy.7. Add Final Cheese: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the hot Tater Tots. Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.8. Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy!