Description
Midwestern comfort shines through this hearty tater tot hotdish, blending crispy potato nuggets with savory ground beef and creamy vegetables. Comfort and nostalgia mingle deliciously, inviting you to savor a classic American casserole that warms both heart and hunger.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef or ground turkey
Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Base and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
- 1 (10.5 ounces) can cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (32 ounces) bag frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375F (190C) and lightly coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with a non-stick spray or butter.
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef and diced onions over medium heat. Eliminate excess fat through draining. Enhance the meat’s flavor profile with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Incorporate frozen mixed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, and milk into the seasoned meat mixture. Distribute the combined ingredients evenly across the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform base layer.
- Generously scatter the first portion of cheddar cheese over the meat and vegetable foundation. Strategically arrange frozen tater tots in a precise, single-layer configuration atop the cheese-covered mixture.
- Place the assembled dish into the preheated oven and bake uncovered for approximately 35-40 minutes. Monitor the tater tots until they transform into a crispy, golden-brown texture.
- After initial baking, sprinkle the remaining cheese across the surface. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt completely and create a glossy, appetizing topping.
- Remove from the oven and let the hotdish rest for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and ensure optimal serving temperature.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adding a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the beef mixture for those who enjoy a spicy kick.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter or vegetarian version of the dish.
- Elevate the nutritional profile by adding extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach during the filling stage.
- Use low-fat cheese and cream of mushroom soup to reduce calories without compromising the comforting flavor of this classic hotdish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg