Description
Classic Tater Tot Hotdish is a comforting, layered casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, mixed vegetables, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy baked Tater Tots. This hearty dish is perfect for family dinners and is easy to prepare with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 pounds ground beef, any kind
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
- 16 ounces mixed frozen or canned vegetables (green beans, corn, peas, and/or carrots)
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salted or unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- 2 (14-ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup
- 24 ounces frozen Tater Tots
- Ketchup, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400ºF to prepare for baking the hotdish.
- Cook the ground beef and onions: Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat and melt the butter. Add the ground beef and chopped onions, season with salt and pepper, and break up the meat with a spatula. Cook until no pink remains, about 8 minutes.
- Layer the hotdish: Using a slotted spoon, place half of the cooked beef into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, draining excess liquid. Top with half of the mixed vegetables and season with salt and pepper. Pour one can of cream of mushroom soup evenly over the layer. Repeat the layers with the remaining beef, vegetables, seasoning, and the second can of soup. Finally, arrange frozen Tater Tots in straight rows to cover the entire surface.
- Bake the hotdish: Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake until the Tater Tots are golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges, about 45 minutes.
- Serve and store: Let the hotdish cool slightly before serving, optionally with ketchup. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to use any combination of frozen or canned mixed vegetables based on your preference or what you have on hand.
- To reduce sodium, use low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and adjust salt accordingly.
- For a crispier Tater Tot topping, you can broil for the last 2-3 minutes of baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Leftovers taste just as good the next day and can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw overnight before reheating.
