Shepherd’s Pie

This recipe is one of my all time favorite comfort foods from home, and I was reminded just how much I love it when my mom made it a few weeks before Christmas. Shepherd’s pie has always been a dish I enjoyed, ground meat with vegetables and cheese, topped with mashed potatoes. But my mom didn’t love it, so she made some changes that make it infinitely better (even for me!).

Number 1, she tops it with tater tots instead of mashed potatoes. This makes it SO easy, and the crispy, crunchy tater tots just bring the dish to the next level. And number 2, she mixes sriracha into the meat. To be honest, regular shepherd’s pie just seems boring to me now. The slightly spicy meat and crispy potatoes, with vegetables hidden inside and melty cheddar cheese? The perfect casserole for a chilly weeknight dinner.

Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients

• ~3 lbs ground meat (I use turkey)
• ~2-3 tbs Sriracha sauce
• Salt and pepper
• 1-2 bags frozen mixed veggies
• 1-1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
• 1 bag frozen tater tots

Instructions

1. In a large pan over medium heat, cook the ground meat with salt, pepper, and sriracha sauce to taste. Meanwhile, steam the frozen vegetables for about half the time indicated on the bag (just to thaw them, not completely cook them)
2. Pour the meat into the bottom of a large casserole dish. Pour the thawed (and drained, if applicable) vegetables over the top of the meat, and top with the shredded cheese.
3. Top with the tater tots, and lightly salt.
4. Bake according to tater tot package directions (generally, at about 425°F for 25-30 mins, or until tots are golden)
5. Serve hot, with extra cheese sprinkled on top!