Recipe for shepherds pie with tater tots

This Cottage Pie with Tater Tots is one of the best comfort foods around. Deliciously seasoned ground beef cooked in a rich, flavorful brown gravy and topped with crispy tater tots. It’s hearty, filling and insanely good!

We are so in love with this Cottage Pie with Tater Tots, and I think you will be too. The flavor of the meat and gravy mixture is fantastic, and then to make it even better, it’s topped with crispy tater tots instead of mashed potatoes. When I saw this recipe, the tots were calling to me and I knew I was going to love it. Don’t get me wrong, I love mashed potatoes like nobody’s business, but I think I love tater tots even more. Am I the only one?

This Cottage Pie is the epitome of comfort food. The beefy filling is savory and incredibly delicious and then the crispy tater tots are the icing on the cake. There’s nothing fussy or difficult about this recipe. The ingredients are simple, there’s nothing fancy about them, but they make this one of the coziest meals ever.

Plus, using tater tots makes this even easier to make and saves you the time of having to make mashed potatoes. . . definitely an added bonus.

What is the difference between cottage and shepherd’s pie?

In case you’re wondering or confused about the difference between Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie, here’s the scoop. Both are made the same way – a beefy, veggie filling in a gravy sauce that is topped with mashed potatoes and sometimes cheese. The only difference is Cottage pie is typically made with ground beef where Shepherd’s pie is made with lamb. 

What you’ll need to make this Cottage Pie:

• Meat: this cottage pie calls for ground beef. I use 80% lean.
• Spices: oregano, thyme, salt and pepper.
• Gravy ingredients: garlic, flour, tomato paste, red wind, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce.
• Vegetables: onion and carrots. You could add some chopped celery and frozen peas and/or corn if you’d like.
• Tater Tots: usually cottage pie is made with mashed potatoes, but this one uses tater tots and I’m not sorry about it.

Can this cottage pie be frozen?

Yes it can. Double wrap it in plastic wrap and tinfoil and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.  To reheat, place the frozen pie in the oven at 350ºF for about 45 mins, or until warmed through.

Should I thaw the tater tots first?

Nope, not necessary. Just take them right out of the bag frozen and place them on top. They will get crispy as they cook.

Can this Cottage Pie be made ahead of time.

Yes it can. Make it up to the point of the meat/gravy mixture going into your pan. Then refrigerate it for up to three days. When you’re ready to eat it, place the frozen tater tots on top and bake it according to the instructions.

This one is definitely a keeper!

Print

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup diced onion
• 3 large carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 ½ pounds ground beef
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ¼ cup all purpose flour
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ cup red wine (I use cooking wine, you could use also water)
• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2½ cups beef broth
• 2 pound bag frozen tater tots

1. Preheat your oven to 400° F.
2. In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and carrot and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
3. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain any grease.  Add the garlic, flour, tomato paste, oregano and thyme. Mix until combined.
4. Stir in the red wine, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, salt and black pepper.
5. Add the broth and bring to a simmer cooking for about 15 minutes or until the beef has thickened.
6. Transfer the beef to a 9×13 inch baking pan or oven safe casserole dish and spread out evenly.
7. Carefully place the tater tots on top of the meat making sure to cover all of the beef. It’s okay if they are piled on top of one another.
8. Bake in the oven for 30  to 35 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and the meat is bubbling around the edges of the pan.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Recipe Source: Adapted just slightly from Foodness Gracious