Description
Midwestern comfort meets pure delight in this classic tater tot hotdish, blending hearty ground beef, vegetables, and crispy potato gems. Cheese melts perfectly over a savory filling, creating a nostalgic meal you’ll crave after one satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Sauté and Season: Brown ground beef and onions in a large skillet over medium heat, draining excess fat. Elevate the meat’s taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Compose the Base Layer: Blend frozen mixed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, and milk into the seasoned meat mixture. Spread this harmonious combination evenly across the prepared baking dish, establishing a cohesive base.
- Layer and Arrange: Distribute the first layer of cheddar cheese over the meat and vegetable mixture. Meticulously arrange frozen tater tots in a uniform, single layer, covering the cheesy surface completely.
- Bake and Transform: Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven, baking uncovered for 35-40 minutes. Watch as the tater tots metamorphose into a crisp, golden-brown masterpiece.
- Finalize and Melt: Generously sprinkle the remaining cheese across the surface. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt into a luscious, glossy topping.
- Rest and Serve: Retrieve the dish from the oven and let it rest briefly, allowing flavors to meld and reach an ideal serving temperature before presenting this comforting hotdish.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to reduce excess grease and prevent a soggy hotdish base.
- Vegetable Variation: Swap frozen mixed vegetables with fresh or seasonal alternatives like roasted Brussels sprouts or diced bell peppers for added nutrition and flavor complexity.
- Cheese Customization: Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or a smoky gouda to elevate the dish’s taste profile and personalize the recipe.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the hotdish in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking, allowing flavors to meld and creating a convenient meal-prep option for busy households.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 487
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 721 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg