Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Classic Tater Tot Hotdish offers everything you could want in a cozy casserole: savory ground beef, comforting vegetables, and a creamy base, all topped with crispy tater tots. It’s a dish that combines convenience with great taste, making it a family favorite. The blend of creamy mushroom soup with seasoned meat and the crispiness of the Tater Tots creates a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend dinner, this hotdish is sure to leave everyone full and satisfied.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 tablespoon salted or unsalted butter
2 pounds ground beef, any kind
1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
16 ounces mixed frozen or canned vegetables (green beans, corn, peas, and/or carrots)
2 (14-ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup
24 ounces frozen Tater Tots
Ketchup, for serving (optional)

Directions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the hotdish to perfection.
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, seasoning with 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper. Use a spatula to break up the meat and 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, allowing excess liquid to drain off. Top with half of the mixed vegetables, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Spread one can of cream of mushroom soup evenly over the vegetables.
Repeat Layers: Layer the remaining cooked beef and vegetables on top, season again to taste, then pour and spread the remaining can of cream of mushroom soup evenly on top.
Arrange Tater Tots: Place the frozen Tater Tots in a single, tight layer over the final soup layer, aligning them in straight rows and columns to completely cover the surface.
Bake the Hotdish: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes until the Tater Tots are golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
Serve: Allow the hotdish to cool slightly before serving. Optionally serve with ketchup for added tang.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes

Variations

Vegetarian: Replace the ground beef with a meat substitute like lentils, quinoa, or plant-based crumbles.
Cheese Lovers: Add a layer of shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix) over the beef before adding the Tater Tots for a cheesy twist.
Spicy: Spice things up by adding a few dashes of hot sauce or some finely chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
Add More Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for a more nutritious dish.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Let leftovers come to room temperature before storing tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave until hot, or in a 350ºF oven for about 15 minutes, uncovered, to maintain crispness on top.

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh vegetables can be used. Just make sure they are chopped into small pieces and cook them slightly before layering them in the hotdish to avoid excess moisture.

2. Can I use a different kind of soup besides cream of mushroom?

Yes, you can try using cream of chicken or cream of celery for a different flavor profile, though cream of mushroom is the classic choice.

3. Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the hotdish up to the point of baking, then cover it and refrigerate it overnight. When ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and bake as directed.

4. How can I make the Tater Tots extra crispy?

Arrange the Tater Tots in a single, tight layer without overlapping them, and be sure to bake the casserole at the recommended temperature until golden brown.

5. Can I add cheese to this dish?

Absolutely! You can add shredded cheese on top of the beef layer before adding the Tater Tots, or sprinkle some over the top during the last few minutes of baking.

6. How do I know when the hotdish is done?

The Tater Tots should be golden brown, and the casserole should be bubbling around the edges. If you insert a knife, it should come out hot and clean.

7. Can I freeze this dish?

Yes, you can freeze the hotdish before baking. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake, allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake as directed.

8. Can I make this dish without ground beef?

Yes, you can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative like lentils or soy crumbles for a different version.

9. Is there a way to make this dish healthier?

To make the dish healthier, you can use lean ground beef or a ground turkey substitute. Also, opt for a low-sodium version of the cream of mushroom soup and reduce the amount of butter.

10. Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?

Yes, you can easily double the recipe. Just use a larger baking dish and increase the cooking time as needed, checking that the Tater Tots are crispy and golden before serving.

Conclusion

Classic Tater Tot Hotdish is a hearty, flavorful casserole that combines all the best elements of comfort food into one delicious dish. Perfect for a family dinner or a crowd, it’s easy to prepare and customizable to suit your taste. With its layers of seasoned beef, creamy soup, mixed vegetables, and crispy tater tots, this recipe is sure to be a hit at the dinner table. Whether you make it as is or add your own twists, this hotdish is bound to become a new favorite!

Classic Tater Tot Hotdish

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Author: Paula
Total Time: 60 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Classic Tater Tot Hotdish is a comforting casserole made with seasoned ground beef, mixed vegetables, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy tater tots, baked to golden perfection.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the hotdish to perfection.
Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat and melt the butter. Add the ground beef and chopped onions, seasoning with 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper. Cook until the meat is browned and no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, place half of the cooked beef into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, allowing excess liquid to drain off. Top with half of the mixed vegetables, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Spread one can of cream of mushroom soup evenly over the vegetables.
Layer the remaining cooked beef and vegetables on top, season again to taste, then pour and spread the remaining can of cream of mushroom soup evenly on top.
Arrange the frozen Tater Tots in a single, tight layer over the final soup layer, aligning them in straight rows and columns to completely cover the surface.
Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes until the Tater Tots are golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
Allow the hotdish to cool slightly before serving. Optionally serve with ketchup for added tang.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, replace the ground beef with a meat substitute like lentils or plant-based crumbles.

For extra cheese lovers, add a layer of shredded cheese over the beef before adding the Tater Tots.

Add hot sauce or chopped jalapeños for a spicy kick.

Feel free to add more vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for a nutritious twist.

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

This dish can be frozen before baking for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 900mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 50mg