Minnesota Tater Tot Hotdish Comfort in a Casserole

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a bit of comfort food that's proper easy? This hot dish recipe is it. Seriously, have you ever seen tater tots this good? It's savoury, creamy, and oh-so-satisfying.

Brief Overview

This is Minnesota Tater Tot Hotdish, a true Midwestern classic. It's basically a comfort food casserole with ground beef, creamy soup, veg, and tater tots.

It's an easy dinner recipe and takes about an hour all in. This recipe serves 6-8 people, perfect for a family meal.

Main Benefits

This Tater Tot Hotdish is surprisingly filling and offers a good balance of protein and carbs. It’s the ultimate meal for a relaxed night in.

Honestly? It's just dead easy and tastes amazing, making it a winner.

Craving Easy Good Meals Dinners ?

This hotdish is proper sorted. It’s basically a layer of flavour with minimum effort! First, you need to brown some mince. I always get the best flavour if I brown it properly.

Right, let's talk about those key ingredients. Ground beef is the base, giving a lovely savoury depth. Then there is Cream of mushroom soup recipes , a total classic for its creamy base.

This wouldn't be a proper hotdish without some veggies. We're chucking in green beans and sweetcorn for a bit of colour and goodness.

And, of course, the star of the show: tater tots! They go all crispy and golden in the oven.

Talking of ovens, preheat yours to 175° C , or 350° F. It's important for it to reach proper temperature before you start this recipe.

The next phase it to get the Beef in the oven!

Alright, let's dive into what you need for this hot dish recipe ! It’s easier than finding a decent parking spot on a Saturday.

Trust me. This Tater Tot Hotdish is proper scran .

Ingredients & Equipment to Cook the Midwestern Recipes

Main Ingredients Breakdown

Here’s the lowdown on what you need. Easy good meals dinners are all about simplicity, right? This is the perfect comfort food casserole .

• Vegetable oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . Any old oil will do. Honestly, I use whatever's closest to the hob.
• Ground beef: 1 pound (450g) . Get good quality beef. It makes a difference.
• Yellow onion: 1 medium (approx. 1 cup or 150g) , chopped. Don't be shy with the onions. They add a wicked flavour.
• Salt: 1 teaspoon (5g) . Season it like you mean it.
• Black pepper: ½ teaspoon (2.5g) . Freshly ground is always best, innit?
• Cream of mushroom soup: 1 (10.75 ounce) can (305g) . This is essential in cream of mushroom soup recipes .
• Cream of chicken soup: 1 (10.75 ounce) can (305g) .
• Milk: 1 cup (240 ml) . Full fat gives it that extra richness.
• Green beans: 1 (14.5 ounce) can (410g) , drained.
• Sweet corn: 1 (15 ounce) can (425g) , drained.
• Frozen tater tots: 1 (2 pound) bag (900g) . The star of the show. Don't skimp! They make the tater tot casserole .
• Cheddar cheese: Optional, 1 cup shredded (100g) . Cheddar makes everything better, doesn't it?

For me, the quality of your ground beef is key. Look for something with a good colour, not too much fat. Also, healthy dinners with chicken sounds great too!

Seasoning Notes for Your Quick Savory Dinner

This is where you can get creative.

• Essentials: Salt, pepper, onion. Simple, but effective.
• Flavor enhancers: A dash of Worcestershire sauce adds depth. Trust me on this one.
• Aromatics: Garlic powder is your friend. A chicken recipe healthy must have this.
• Substitutions: If you're out of cream of mushroom, cream of celery will do in a pinch.

Equipment Needed for the Hot Dish Recipe

Keep it simple. No need for fancy gadgets. These easy dinner recipes keto and ground beef casserole recipes require a minimum of efforts.

• Large skillet or frying pan. For browning that beef.
• 9x13 inch baking dish. That’s the sweet spot for this hot dish recipe .
• Mixing spoon. Obvs.

That's it! Nothing too scary, right? Let's get cooking and make some brilliant comfort food. I feel that this hot dish recipe is totally achievable!

Minnesota Tater Tot Hotdish: Comfort in a Casserole

Alright, let's get cracking on a hot dish recipe and I'm not talking about the kind that gets you in trouble! We're diving into a classic Midwestern comfort food casserole that's sure to warm you up.

This Tater tot casserole is like a warm hug from your grandma. This one can be an Easy Good Meals Dinners .

Prep Like a Pro: Your Mise en Place

First, gather your troops! You need 1 pound ground beef, 1 chopped onion, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 cup milk, 1 can green beans, 1 can corn, and 1 bag of tater tots.

Honestly, the prep is just chopping an onion. Time saving tip? Use pre-chopped onions. Safety first watch those fingers with the knife! Honestly? One of my favorite Midwestern recipes

step-by-step to Hotdish Heaven

1. Preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C).
2. Brown 1 pound ground beef and 1 chopped onion . Don't forget to drain the grease! Season with salt and pepper.
3. Mix the browned beef with 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 can cream of chicken soup, and 1 cup milk . Get it all creamy.
4. Stir in 1 can green beans and 1 can corn .
5. Pour into a 9x13 inch dish.
6. Top with 1 bag of tater tots .
7. Bake for 45 minutes , or until golden brown.
8. Optional: Add cheese in the last 10 minutes . Melty cheese makes everything better!

Hotdish Hacks: Pro Tips for the Win

For extra crispy tots, pre-bake them for 10 minutes before adding. Don't overcrowd the dish! It needs even cooking.

A common mistake? Soggy tater tots. Bake that " Ground beef casserole recipes " long enough!

Easy Dinner Recipes Keto ? Eh, maybe not. But you can make it healthier! Sub ground turkey for the beef to get some Chicken Recipe Healthy , making it a Healthy Dinners With Chicken.

Or, try different veggies.

This is perfect for a Quick Savory Dinner . Plus, you can totally prep the beef and veggie mixture ahead of time. Just add the tots before baking.

Recipe Notes for Your Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe

Alright, let's talk about nailing this hot dish recipe . It's more than just throwing stuff in a pan.

Serving Up Success

Got the comfort food casserole ready? Awesome!

• Plating is Key: Think rustic charm. Serve straight from the baking dish. A dollop of sour cream? Yes, please! Chopped chives add a fancy touch.
• Sidekicks: A crisp green salad balances the richness. Coleslaw is another good shout. Warm bread for soaking up all the yummy sauce is a must. I find these easy good meals dinners can be so diverse.

Storage Secrets for hot dish recipe

Leftovers? Lucky you! These ground beef casserole recipes can be the best.

• Fridge Rules: Store leftovers in an airtight container. They'll keep for 3-4 days.
• Freezing Fun: This hot dish recipe freezes well. Portion it out. Use freezer safe containers. It lasts up to 3 months.
• Reheating 101: Microwave is your friend. Oven works too, but takes longer ( 350° F or 175° C ). Add a splash of milk if it's too dry.

Hot Dish Recipe: Mix It Up!

Want to jazz things up? I've got you! It's funny how Midwestern recipes can be so versatile.

• Keto Friendly Twist: Swap tater tots for cauliflower tots. Use cream of mushroom soup recipes that is low-carb. This helps make easy dinner recipes keto .
• Chicken Power: Use shredded chicken instead of ground beef. This is a simple way to make healthy dinners with chicken . You could even call it a chicken recipe healthy .
• Seasonal Swaps: Use roasted butternut squash in fall. Fresh green beans in summer are divine. Trust me! Plus, it makes the recipe a quick savory dinner .

Hot Dish Recipe: Numbers Game

Let's keep it simple.

• Quick Facts: Each serving has roughly 400-450 calories. Also 20-25g protein, and 30-35g carbs.
• Health Perks: Protein from the beef. Veggies for fibre. This is comfort food casserole , but it can have some good stuff.

Honestly, this hot dish recipe is all about having fun. Don't stress too much about the details. Get creative. Make it your own.

I can’t wait for you to enjoy your first tater tot casserole ! Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a hot dish recipe, and is it the same as a casserole?

That's a great question! Think of a hot dish as the Midwestern cousin of the casserole. While both are baked dishes usually with meat, veggies, and a starchy binder, hot dishes often feature cream of mushroom soup and a topping like tater tots.

It’s comfort food, plain and simple, like finding a fiver in your old coat pocket!

Can I make this Tater Tot hot dish recipe ahead of time?

You betcha! You can assemble the hot dish (without the tater tots) up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the fridge. Add the tater tots just before baking. This is especially helpful if you're prepping for a potluck or a busy weeknight.

Just be aware that the mixture might be a little more liquid-y if it sits for a while.

How can I make this hot dish recipe healthier?

There are several ways! Use lean ground beef or ground turkey, and load up on extra vegetables like carrots, peas, or broccoli. You can also opt for lower sodium cream of mushroom soup or even make your own from scratch. Some people also substitute plain Greek yogurt for some of the soup to add protein and reduce fat.

It's all about finding that balance, like fitting into your jeans after Christmas dinner!

My tater tots always get soggy! How do I get them crispy in this hot dish recipe?

Ah, the age-old crispy tot dilemma! For maximum crispiness, try pre-baking the tater tots on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes before adding them to the hot dish. This helps to dry them out a bit. Also, avoid overcrowding the baking dish; give those tots some breathing room so they can get golden brown.

A little extra heat goes a long way!

What are some fun variations I can try with this Tater Tot hot dish recipe?

The possibilities are endless! Try adding different cheeses (pepper jack for a kick!), swapping the ground beef for shredded chicken or sausage, or using a different cream soup like cream of celery or broccoli cheese. For a Tex-Mex twist, add some corn, black beans, and salsa.

It's like putting your own spin on a Beatles song - make it your own!

How do I store leftover Tater Tot hot dish and how long will it last?

Store leftover hot dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will generally last for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or bake in the oven until heated through. Keep in mind that the tater tots will likely lose some of their crispness upon reheating, but it'll still taste great!

It's like a re-run of your favorite show, not quite as good as the first time, but still enjoyable.