Tater Tot Shepherd’s Pie (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Meat Mixture
01 -
1 cup chopped yellow onions
02 -
1 lb ground turkey or lean beef
03 -
1/2 cup plain water
04 -
12 oz can of corn (liquid included)
05 -
0.87 oz packet of beef-flavored gravy mix
06 -
1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 -
1/2 tbsp onion powder
08 -
1/2 tsp black pepper
09 -
1/2 tsp salt
→ Potato Layer
10 -
4 oz packet of instant potato flakes
11 -
1 1/2 cups of water
12 -
1/2 cup regular milk
13 -
2 tbsp butter or margarine
→ Final Topping
14 -
2 cups of shredded mozzarella and cheddar combo
15 -
28 oz bag of frozen tater tots
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat your oven to 425°F. Warm some butter or margarine in a large frying pan. Drop in the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it into chunks as it cooks. Toss in the chopped onions and sauté until they soften and the meat's fully done.
02 -
Add the whole can of corn (don't drain it), pour in the water, and sprinkle in the gravy mix. Toss in the salt, garlic, pepper, and onion powder. Stir really well and let it all simmer together for a couple of minutes.
03 -
Boil 1 1/2 cups of water with the butter in a pot. Once it starts bubbling, take it off the heat and mix in the potato flakes and milk. Let it rest for about a minute, then stir until it's silky smooth.
04 -
Grease up a 9x13 dish and spread the cooked meat mixture over the bottom. Scoop the mashed potatoes over that and smooth them out. Top everything with an even layer of frozen tater tots.
05 -
Slide the dish into the oven and bake for half an hour. Pull it out, scatter the shredded cheese on top, and bake for another 5 minutes or so, just until the cheese melts and starts getting golden.
06 -
Take the casserole out and let it cool down a little before dishing it up. Dig in!
# Notes:
01 -
Lighten things up by swapping the beef for chicken or turkey.
02 -
Toss in some vegetables like green beans, peas, or carrots for extra nutrients.
03 -
Prepare everything ahead of time and stash it in the fridge. When baking, just tack on 5 more minutes.
04 -
Experiment with cheese varieties like Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even Pepper Jack for added flavor.