Tater Tot Hotdish

            I am a Minnesota girl, born and raised. This is a recipe I know and love dearly! I have probably been making this for more years than many of you have been alive. As you know, Minnesota is known as the hotdish capital of the world. I think that every hotdish known to mankind has originated in Minnesota! Probably not, but it is fun to say so.

            As a mother, I was always up for meals that were quick and easy to make. After all, we all have kids and families, work and errands to do. No one has hours to spend in a kitchen making meals. Tater Tot Hotdish has become known as a comfort food on cold winter nights. This is because it is a well balanced meal, hot out of the oven, savory and delicious.

            I know many of you have probably turned your noses up at Tater Tot Hotdish. Please don’t. There have been so many varieties and substitutions made over time that it is possible you did not have the original recipe hotdish.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different meat than ground beef?

You could, but then it is not the original form of Tater Tot Hotdish.

Do I have to use green beans?

No, you can use corn or another vegetable.  Green beans just make the hotdish what it is.

Can I just mix it all together?

I am sure this has been done by many of us in the past. You definitely could. However, again this hotdish is known for the layers it has, the combinations of flavors on top of one another.  Topped with the crispy tater tots themselves.

What ingredients do you need for Tater Tot Hotdish

1 small onion, diced fine

2 cloves minced garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

1 pound ground beef, cooked thoroughly and drained

1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 can cream of mushroom soup

15 ounce can of cut green beans, drained

2 cups of cheddar cheese, shredded

How to make Tater Tot Hotdish

FIRST STEP:

Preheat the oven to 350*

Lightly spray an 8 or 9 inch square baking pan

SECOND STEP:

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the garlic and onion

Drain excess fat

THIRD STEP:

Stir in the Worcestershire Sauce, add salt and pepper to taste

Transfer this mixture to the baking dish as the bottom layer.

FOURTH STEP:

Pour the cream of mushroom soup over the top of the ground beef

Place the drained green beans on the top of the soup mix, season with salt and pepper

FIFTH STEP:

Top with the shredded cheese

Place the tater tots on as the top layer

SIXTH STEP:

Bake in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until the tots are golden and crispy and the cheese has melted.

Serve immediately

Tips:

Being in Minnesota does not make us perfect by any means. This Tater Tot Hotdish can be made the way your family prefers it. I just wanted you all to have the original recipe so that you could make it this way and taste the difference yourself.

To be honest, my mother used to pour the cream of mushroom over the beans and hamburger layer both.  My friends pour the soup mix over the top of the tater tots, and swear by that.