Introduction: What is Tater Tot Hotdish?
Tater tot hotdish is a classic Midwestern comfort food that has been enjoyed by families for generations. It’s a delicious casserole made with ground beef, vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, and topped with crispy tater tots and melted cheese. It’s a simple and easy recipe that can be customized to your liking, and it’s perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.
Step 1: Gather the Ingredients
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. You will need one pound of ground beef, one small onion (diced), one can of cream of mushroom soup, one cup of frozen mixed vegetables, one bag of tater tots, and one cup of shredded cheddar cheese. You will also need salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you prefer, such as garlic powder or paprika.
Make sure you have a large oven-safe casserole dish, as well as a skillet or frying pan for browning the ground beef. Once you have all your ingredients gathered, you’re ready to start cooking.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This will ensure that your tater tot hotdish cooks evenly and thoroughly.
While your oven is preheating, you can start preparing the other ingredients.
Step 3: Brown the Ground Beef
In a skillet or frying pan, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the meat as it cooks. Once the beef is browned and crumbled, drain any excess grease.
Step 4: Add the Vegetables
Add the diced onion and frozen mixed vegetables to the skillet with the ground beef. Stir to combine and cook for a few minutes until the vegetables are heated through and the onion is translucent.
Step 5: Add the Cream of Mushroom Soup
Pour the can of cream of mushroom soup into the skillet with the beef and vegetables. Stir to combine and season with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you prefer.
Step 6: Layer the Tater Tots
Pour the beef and vegetable mixture into your casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. Then, layer the tater tots on top of the mixture, covering the entire surface.
Step 7: Bake in the Oven
Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown.
Step 8: Add Cheese
Remove the casserole dish from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the tater tots.
Step 9: Return to the Oven
Return the casserole dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 10: Let it Rest
Once the tater tot hotdish is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and make it easier to cut and serve.
Step 11: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve the tater tot hotdish hot and enjoy! It’s a delicious and comforting meal that’s perfect for any occasion. You can customize the recipe to your liking by adding different vegetables or spices, or by substituting the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. However you make it, tater tot hotdish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
