Minnesota Comfort: Classic Tater Tot Hotdish

Recipe Introduction: Your New Comfort Food Obsession

Fancy a bit of classic comfort? Ever wondered about an easy dinner?

Let's talk about the tater tot hotdish recipe . It’s a hug in a dish if you ask me. Crispy Tater Tots , creamy filling, and savoury beef - what's not to love?

Minnesota Nice: A Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe Story

The minnesota hotdish recipe , where this gem comes from, is basically a midwestern culinary handshake. we are talking about pure comfort food casserole recipes .

This one is super easy (anyone can nail it) and takes about 45 minutes. you will get six very generous servings of absolute deliciousness.

Honestly, this is what you need after a long day!

Why You'll Love This Tater Tot Hotdish

Did you know this easy tater tot casserole can be a sneaky way to get some veggies into the family? it’s packed with goodness, especially protein from the beef.

Perfect for a casual weeknight dinner, a potluck, or when you just need a big plate of happiness. plus, it's pretty special because it's so adaptable.

You can make tater tot casserole variations easily!

Now, before you get all hangry on me, let's talk about the ingredients you will need for this ground beef tater tot casserole and chicken tater tot casserole .

It's mostly stuff you probably already have in the fridge or pantry, which is always a win, innit? what are you waiting for?

And don't worry, you can definitely casserole to freeze this thing for later!. And if you are feeling fancy make it cheesy chicken bacon tater tot casserole .

Minnesota Comfort: Classic Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe Card

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Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:30 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup/150g)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (10.75 ounce/305g) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup (120ml) milk (any kind will do, but whole milk adds richness)
• 1 (10 ounce/283g) package frozen mixed vegetables (corn, peas, carrots), thawed
• 1 (32 ounce/907g) bag frozen tater tots

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef with onion. Drain off any excess grease.
• Stir in thyme, salt, and pepper into the cooked beef.
• In a large bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup and milk.
• Add the seasoned ground beef and thawed mixed vegetables to the soup mixture and stir well.
• Pour the beef and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish.
• Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer over the beef mixture.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
• Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:420

Fat:24g

Fiber:2g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:American

Ingredients & Equipment for the Ultimate Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe

Right then, let's get down to brass tacks. you'll need a few bits and bobs for this tater tot hotdish recipe .

Don't panic, it's all pretty straightforward. this isn’t like trying to bake a soufflé, honestly. we’re making comfort food casserole recipes, not challenging for the bake-off trophy.

Main Ingredients: The Heart of the Hotdish

• Ground beef: 1 pound (454g) . Look for 80/20 blend for flavour. Not too lean. You know, that's the secret. It can also be a Cheesy Chicken Bacon Tater Tot Casserole if using chicken.
• Yellow onion: 1 medium (about 1 cup/150g) , chopped.
• Dried thyme: 1 teaspoon .
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon .
• Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon .
• Cream of mushroom soup: 1 (10.75 ounce/305g) can . Essential. Or, try using cream of celery for a change. Some people even make a Tater Tot Casserole No Cream Soup , using stock and thickening agents for a homemade vibe.
• Milk: 1/2 cup (120ml) . Whole milk is lush, but anything works.
• Frozen mixed veg: 1 (10 ounce/283g) package (peas, carrots, corn), thawed.
• Tater tots: 1 (32 ounce/907g) bag This is the real deal.

You know, sometimes I sneak in a little bit of bacon. It really elevates the flavour, honestly. It's especially amazing in a Chicken Tater Tot Casserole .

Seasoning Notes: Flavour Boosters!

Thyme, salt, and pepper are your base. but don't be shy! add a dash of garlic powder if you're feeling fancy.

A pinch of red pepper flakes will also give it a spicy kick .

For a flavour enhancer, a dash of Worcestershire sauce in with the beef gives it something special. Also, consider some Essential spice combinations to create different Tater tot casserole variations .

Can’t find thyme? Try oregano or Italian herbs. Quick substitution options are always handy.

Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple

• Large skillet or Dutch oven. For browning the beef.
• 9x13 inch baking dish. This will also be a Casserole To Freeze or for a nice meal that the family will enjoy.

Honestly, that's all you need. a wooden spoon and a can opener. if you haven't got a 9x13 dish, a similar size will do.

If you are looking for another minnesota hotdish recipe you can google that for other variations.

Minnesota Comfort: Nailing the Classic Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe

Alright, let's talk tater tot hotdish recipe . this isn't just food, it's a hug on a plate. think of it as a comfort food casserole recipes from the midwest.

It's the ultimate easy dinner, and honestly, foolproof. i'm going to show you how to make it the best it can be.

Prep Steps: Get Your Ducks in a Row

First things first: mise en place . fancy, right? it just means getting everything ready before you start. chop 1 medium yellow onion (about 1 cup/150g ).

Thaw 1 (10 ounce/283g) package of mixed vegetables . trust me, doing this now saves a headache later. also, grab 1 pound (454g) ground beef (80/20 blend) and that 1 (32 ounce/907g) bag of tater tots .

Time-saving tip: while the oven preheats to 375° f ( 190° c) , grab all your ingredients. you can totally use frozen chopped onions too.

I do that sometimes when i'm feeling lazy. no judgement here.

Step-by-Step Hotdish Magic

Alright, here's the lowdown on making this masterpiece.

1. Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, get that ground beef sizzling over medium-high heat with the onion. Drain off the grease. No one likes a greasy hotdish, do they?
2. Season Like You Mean It: Stir in 1 teaspoon dried thyme , 1/2 teaspoon salt , and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper . Don't be shy, these flavours really make a difference.
3. Soup's On: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 (10.75 ounce/305g) can condensed cream of mushroom soup and 1/2 cup (120ml) milk . If you are looking for Tater Tot Casserole No Cream Soup alternative, then explore cream of celery or chicken or even create your own.
4. Veggie Power: Add the cooked beef and thawed mixed vegetables to the soup mixture. Stir until everything is happy and combined. If you wanna make Cheesy Chicken Bacon Tater Tot Casserole , well, you can add some cooked chicken or bacon at this stage too.
5. Assemble: Pour the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish .
6. Tot Time: Arrange the Tater Tots in a single layer on top. This is important! You want crispy tots, not soggy ones.
7. Bake: Pop it in the oven for 30 minutes , or until the tots are golden brown. I usually peek around 25 minutes just to make sure they aren't burning. This will make a perfectly tasting Easy tater tot casserole

Pro Tips for Hotdish Glory

Want to take this to the next level?

Crispy Tots: For extra crispiness, preheat your baking sheet in the oven while the oven heats up. Then transfer the tots to the hot sheet.

Avoid Overcrowding : The ground beef needs to be in a single layer. This will make a perfectly tasting Ground beef tater tot casserole .

Freezing i love to make an extra casserole to freeze for a rainy day. just assemble everything before baking, wrap it tight, and freeze.

When you're ready to bake, you might need to add 15- 20 minutes to the baking time.

Recipe Notes for Your Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe Adventure

Okay, so you're about to tackle this glorious tater tot hotdish recipe . before you dive in, let's chat about a few things.

These are little nuggets of wisdom i’ve picked up along the way making countless comfort food casserole recipes . honestly, a little prep goes a long way.

Serving Suggestions: Let's Get Fancy (Or Not!)

Right, so this Minnesota hotdish recipe is proper homely. Forget fine dining. Plating is simple. Big spoon, generous dollop. Boom! Presentation-wise, think rustic charm. A sprinkle of fresh parsley can't hurt, mind.

What goes with it? steamed green beans are a winner. a simple side salad cuts through the richness. and to drink? sweet tea or a nice cold beer, depending on your mood.

It is up to you, love!

Storage Tips: Keepin' It Fresh

Leftovers? lucky you! once cooled, pop your casserole to freeze or stick it in the fridge. in the fridge, it'll happily last for 3-4 days.

To reheat, stick it back in the oven at 350° f ( 175° c) until heated through.

Freezing works a treat. wrap it well in cling film and then foil. it'll keep for up to 3 months.

Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating as above. nobody wants a soggy tot, you know?

Variations: Spice It Up or Tone It Down

Fancy a twist? you can make tater tot casserole variations . let's talk adaptations. want a chicken tater tot casserole ? swap the ground beef for shredded chicken.

You could even go for a cheesy chicken bacon tater tot casserole . oh my gosh, the possibilities!

For a dietary swap, try using tater tot casserole no cream soup with vegetable stock instead of beef. another alternative can be to go meat-free? use a vegetarian mince substitute.

For seasonal swaps, think about adding roasted butternut squash in the autumn.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in a Dish

Each serving of this hearty beauty clocks in around 420 calories . you are also getting roughly 25g of protein , 24g of fat , and 30g of carbs .

It’s a proper fuel-up kind of meal.

This isn’t a health food, i’m not gonna lie. but, it's a great source of protein and energy to feed your loved ones.

It is food for the soul that keeps you going.

So there you have it! a few extra pointers to make your tater tot hotdish recipe experience a smashing success.

Now go forth and create a masterpiece! and remember, don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own.