Tater Tot Hotdish (Casserole)

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A tater tot casserole is a comforting, cozy meal that families have been enjoying for decades. The classic “hotdish” has its roots in the Midwest, where home cooks are well known for creative, well-balanced casseroles. Minnesotans claim to have invented the tater tot hotdish. According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, two brothers, F. Nephi and Golden Grigg, two farmers behind Ore-Ida, developed tater tots in the 1950s, and the tater tot hotdish wasn’t far behind. The tater tot casserole is typically made with ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, vegetables, cheese, and tater tots, but there are many variations.

Ingredient Notes

• Ground beef: Use 80% or 85% lean for best flavor and moisture.
• Frozen vegetables: A mix of peas, carrots, and corn adds texture and color.
• Onion: Adds savory depth to the filling.
• Worcestershire sauce & garlic powder: Season the beef and boost flavor.
• Cream of mushroom soup: The classic creamy binder—sub cream of chicken or celery if preferred.
• Cheddar cheese: Adds richness and helps hold the filling together.
• Tater tots: Use straight from the freezer. Bake until golden and crisp.

Steps to Make Tater Tot Hotdish (Casserole)

1. Thaw the frozen vegetables in a colander under cool running water.
2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet with oil, then add onion, Worcestershire, and garlic powder.
3. Drain off the fat and stir in the vegetables, soup, milk, and most of the cheese.
4. Simmer the mixture until hot and bubbling, then taste and adjust seasoning.
5. Spread the mixture in a greased baking dish and top with frozen tater tots.
6. Bake until hot and bubbling, then sprinkle with remaining cheese and return to the oven to melt.
7. Garnish with parsley or green onions, if desired.

Recipe Variations

• Use ground turkey. A lighter option that still works beautifully with the creamy filling.
• Swap the soup. Use cream of chicken or celery soup—or homemade white sauce.
• Add bacon. Cook 4 slices and crumble into the filling or sprinkle on top.
• Make it spicy. Add 1/2 teaspoon chili powder or a few dashes of hot sauce to the beef.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a crisp green salad or coleslaw for contrast.
• Pair with sliced tomatoes or pickles for a classic Midwestern combo.
• Add a spoonful of sour cream or ketchup on the side, if desired.
• Offer crusty bread or rolls for a complete comfort meal.

Tater Tot Hotdish (Casserole)

Diana Rattray

This tater tot casserole, also known as tater tot hotdish, is an easy family dinner made with ground beef, vegetables, cheese, and crispy tater tots.

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Servings 6 servings

Calories 505

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Ingredients

  

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• Butter or cooking spray for greasing the baking dish
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• ½ cup frozen corn kernels
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• ¼ cup milk
• 6 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, divided (1 1/2 cups)
• 16 ounces tater tots
• 2 green onions (optional), sliced, for garnish
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional), for garnish

Recommended Equipment

• 9-inch square pan or baking dish
• Large skillet

Instructions

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• Heat the oven to 375°F. Lightly butter a 9-inch square pan or baking dish or spray it with cooking spray.
  Butter or cooking spray for greasing the baking dish
• Put the frozen vegetables in a colander and thaw under cool running water. Drain well and set aside.
  1 cup frozen peas and carrots | 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  1 tbsp vegetable oil
• Add the ground beef to the skillet; break it up with a spatula and season lightly with kosher salt and pepper. Let the beef cook for 4 minutes without disturbing, then add the onion, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Continue to cook, stirring, until the onions are translucent and the beef is no longer pink, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain off excess fat.
  1 pound ground beef | Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper | 1/2 cup chopped onion | 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce | 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Add the thawed frozen vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, and milk to the beef mixture in the skillet, and then continue cooking until hot and bubbling. Reserve 2 ounces of the cheese for the topping and add the remaining 4 ounces to the beef mixture. Stir until the mixture is simmering and the cheese is melted. Taste and adjust the seasonings with additional salt and pepper, as needed.
  1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup | 1/4 cup milk | 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• Spoon the meat and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  
• Top with the frozen tater tots and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle with the reserved 2 ounces cheese and bake for about 5 minutes longer, or until the cheese is melted.
  16 ounces tater tots | 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
  
• Serve with a topping of sliced green onions or parsley, if desired.
  2 green onions (optional) | 1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
  

Nutrition

Calories: 505kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 23gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 642mgPotassium: 543mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2566IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword tater tot casserole

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