This post may contain affiliate links, which means we’ll receive a commission if you purchase through our link, at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure here.
Some comfort foods ask for a free afternoon and hours in the kitchen. This one just asks for a skillet or casserole dish and about 45 minutes of your time. This sweet potato tot shepherd’s pie delivers all the cozy flavors of the classic dish, but with a shortcut that is so good, it will be hard to make it any other way.
A savory filling with seasoned ground meat, onions, carrots, and green peas simmers to create a warm, comforting base. And instead of classic mashed potato topping, frozen sweet potato tots take their place. And as they cook, they create a crisp, slightly sweet topping. And finished with a generous sprinkle of cheese for the ultimate comfort dinner.
If you have ever craved the hearty feeling of a shepherd’s pie but don’t have the energy or time to make a batch of mashed potatoes from scratch, consider this your solution. It’s a fraction of the effort and time. Perfect for busy weeknights, a family-friendly meal option, or a comfort meal to use up leftover veggies on a chilly evening! This dish is proof that sometimes dinner time can be the best part of the recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Potato Tater Tot Shepherd’s Pie
- It’s shepherd’s pie with a shortcut! This fun twist on shepherd’s pie is everything you love about the classic recipe – the savory meat and veggie filling – but with a tater tot topping to cut down on kitchen time.
- Ultimate comfort dish! What can beat a meat, potatoes, and veggie combo? It’s hearty, cozy, and perfect when you want an easy, soul-warming dish.
- Crispy outside, soft center! The crisp tater tots are a delicious contrast to the bubbly soft shepherd’s pie filling.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef
- Yellow onion
- Carrots
- Tomato paste
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Celery powder
- All-purpose flour
- Green peas
- Chicken or beef broth
- Salt and pepper
- Frozen sweet potato tots
- Cheddar cheese
How to Make Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie, Step By Step
Step 1: Preheat oven and prep baking dish.
Start by preheating the oven to a high temperature of 425ºF so that it is at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake the pie.
Next, butter an oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) or casserole dish that you will use to cook the shepherd’s pie.
Step 2: Cook the ground beef and sauté the onions and carrots.
In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until the pink meat is cooked through and brown in color.
Add in chopped onions and carrots, and cook them in the skillet with the meat until they are soft. This veggie mixture will be the base for your shepherd’s pie filling.
Step 3: Season veggies and simmer.
Once the meat is cooked and the veggies are soft, it’s time to add in some extra flavor. Stir in the tomato paste and seasoning mixture. The onion powder, garlic powder, and celery powder will enhance the flavors that are already in the filling.
Let that mixture simmer for a minute or two before stirring in a couple of tablespoons of flour. The flour is going to help thicken the filling so that it isn’t a soupy mess.
Lastly, pour in a cup of chicken broth and frozen green peas. Stir the peas into the mixture and let the filling simmer in the skillet for a final 3-4 minutes.
Step 4: Cover the top of the veggie mixture with a single layer of sweet potato tots and shredded cheddar cheese.
Spread the filling evenly in a single layer in the skillet or casserole dish. Before you pop the shepherd’s pie into the oven, place an even layer of frozen sweet potato tots on top of the pie.
Sprinkle the top with shredded cheddar cheese. This cheese will give the topping a delicious and melty top.
Step 5: Cook and let it set for about 10 minutes before serving.
Cook the shepherd’s pie in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes until the tots are crispy and the cheese is melted. You should also see the filling bubbling underneath the surface.
Let the pie cool for about 8-10 minutes before serving. This will allow the pie to cool slightly, and the filling will set. Grab a big spoon and scoop to serve!
Tips for Making the Shepherd’s Pie
- Add flour to thicken the filling. The flour will simmer with the broth and create a thicker, slightly creamy filling.
- Top with a single layer of tater tots. Spread the frozen tots over the filling in an even, single layer so that they cook evenly.
- Don’t skip the resting time after cooking. Let the shepherd’s pie rest for about 10 minutes before serving, allowing the filling to set slightly. That way, you don’t have a piping hot soupy mess. It will make it easier to scoop and serve.
- Broil for 1-2 minutes for crispy tots. If you want a super-crispy topping, broil the pie for 1-2 minutes, or until the surface of the tots becomes crispy. Make sure to watch the oven closely when you’re broiling to make sure it doesn’t burn the top.
Recipe FAQ
How to store leftover shepherd’s pie?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat, reheat in the microwave until warm.
If you want to freeze leftovers, tightly wrap your baking dish in a layer or plastic wrap and a layer of foil before putting it in the freezer. You can also scoop out individual portions into silicone muffin tins to reheat later.
Thaw the frozen casserole for 24 hours in the fridge before baking at 400ºF for 30-35 minutes, or until the center of the dish is warmed.
More Weeknight Dinner Recipes:
Sweet Potato Tater Tot Shepherd’s Pie
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
Shepherd’s pie with a twist for an easy weeknight dinner! A delicious, savory meat and veggie filling topped with crispy sweet potato tater tots and a blanket of cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, halved and chopped
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp celery powder
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups green peas, frozen
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 20 oz frozen sweet potato tater tots
- 1/3 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425ºF.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook ground beef until it is browned. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat apart as it cooks down.
- Move the meat to the sides of the skillet and pour chopped onions and carrots into the center of the skillet, and cook until soft. Once they start to get soft, stir them in with the meat.
- Add seasonings and simmer for several more minutes.
- Add 2 tbsp of flour to the veggie-meat mixture and stir to incorporate, and simmer for 1-2 minutes. (Flour will thicken the shepherd’s pie filling.)
- Add chicken broth and green peas to the skillet. Gently stir to mix the peas into the filling. Let the filling simmer for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Carefully remove the skillet from the heat. (If you are using an oven-safe skillet, like a cast-iron skillet, you can bake the pie in the skillet. If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the filling to a casserole dish.) Spread the meat and veggie mixture into an even layer in the bottom of the skillet or casserole dish.
- Cover the filling with a single layer of sweet potato tots and sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the tater tots.
- Cook the pie in the oven for 15-25 minutes until the tots are cooked and the cheese is melty.
- Let the shepherd’s pie sit for 8-10 minutes before serving. Use a large spoon to scoop and serve. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
