Tater Tot Hotdish is a super easy and comforting staple all over the midwest. This hotdish is filled with meat, veggies, cheese, and soup, topped with tater tots for a satisfying meal. A classic that will have your family asking for it again and again.
You’ll recognize this dish as a tater tot casserole. In Minnesota, they call it a hotdish, which is why I chose to keep its classic name. Tater tot hotdish, or any “hotdish” recipe for that matter, is a simple casserole with a few main components. In typical casserole (or hotdish) recipes, it will consist of meat, potatoes, or some other kind of starch, followed by a condensed or cream soup, veggies, and cheese. Casseroles are stupidly simple and are a “dump and bake” hotdish. These hotdishes have been popular for years in the midwest since they’re budget friendly and easily a family favorite.
The picture does not show the tater tots layered evenly on the top (as stated in the recipe) because my husband decided to eat some before I made this.
How to make Tater Tot Hotdish
Hotdishes are budget friendly and take minimal prep time. The cook time is a bit long, but the result is well worth it when you eat it. (Full ingredient amounts and complete instructions are available in the recipe card down below).
- Tater Tots: You will need a whole bag of tater tots. Whether you want them seasoned or plain is totally up to you!
- Ground Beef: Try to get lean ground beef (Typically 90-10). You can also sub in ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork.
- White Onion: White onions are milder and crisper than yellow onions. You can substitute for a yellow onion if you wish.
- Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder
- Frozen Green Beans & Frozen Corn: I recommend frozen over canned. Some casseroles call for canned veggies, but I prefer frozen. Veggies that are canned (like green beans) tend to sit in a liquid and it becomes mushy. It’s a textural thing.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This is key. It gives the beef so much flavor.
- Sour Cream
- Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup: I prefer this homemade over the canned stuff. It’s really simple to make at home!
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: I prefer this homemade over the canned stuff. It takes 15 minutes to make.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: I recommend shredding your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with an anti-caking powder that prevents it from melting to its gooiest potential. You can also use pepper jack, Monterey jack, Colby, or even parmesan.
Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 9×13 baking dish. Brown the ground beef in a saute pan on medium heat, along with the onions, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Drain the excess grease. This step is important; the grease will break up the gooey goodness. Transfer to a large mixing bowl, then combine with sour cream, condensed cheddar soup, cream of mushroom soup, green beans, corn, and half of the shredded cheese. Spread it evenly into the greased pan, then top with an even layer of tater tots. Bake for 50 minutes until the tater tots are crispy and golden brown. Top with the remaining cheese, and bake for 3-5 minutes more until the cheese is melted. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes, then serve.
Tips & FAQs
- Can I use different ground meat? You can. Substitute the ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork. Just be sure to drain any excess grease that may be present.
- What other veggies can I throw into the hotdish? I used green beans and corn, but you can use a mixed veggie option with corn, green beans, and corn. You can also throw in chopped mushrooms, broccoli, peas, spinach, or even Brussel sprouts that are chopped up.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container or in the baking dish with a lid for 3-4 days. Freeze: Prepare the hotdish in a disposable 9×13 pan, or in a freezer to oven safe 9×13 pan. and wrap it in aluminum foil after it is prepared (don’t bake it!). Simply thaw and bake when you are ready. Expect it to take an extra 30 minutes or so to bake.
Want the recipe? Click print below! Let me know how it came out for you by tagging me on Instagram (@missravenskitchen) and using #missravenskitchen! Follow my Facebook page for updates as well! Let me know if I need to tweak anything.
Tater Tot Hotdish
Ingredients
- 32 oz frozen tater tots
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 medium white onion, diced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 10 oz frozen green beans, thawed
- 10 oz frozen corn, thawed
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 (10 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10 oz) can condensed cheddar soup
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium saute pan, brown the ground beef along with the white onions. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until completely brown, about 8 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- In that same bowl, add the green beans, corn, sour cream, mushroom soup, cheddar soup, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix together, then spread out evenly in the greased baking pan.
- Bake for 50 minutes until the tater tots are golden and crispy and the hotdish is bubbling.
- Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and bake for 3-5 more until the cheese is melted. Allow it to cool for 5 minutes then serve with a simple side salad.
Notes
Can I use different ground meat? You can. Substitute the ground beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork. Just be sure to drain any excess grease that may be present.
What other veggies can I throw into the hotdish? I used green beans and corn, but you can use a mixed veggie option with corn, green beans, and corn. You can also throw in chopped mushrooms, broccoli, peas, spinach, or even Brussel sprouts that are chopped up.
Storage: Store in an airtight container or in the baking dish with a lid for 3-4 days. Freeze: Prepare the hotdish in a disposable 9×13 pan, or in a freezer to oven safe 9×13 pan. and wrap it in aluminum foil after it is prepared (don’t bake it!). Simply thaw and bake when you are ready. Expect it to take an extra 30 minutes or so to bake.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
592.36Fat (grams)
35.86Sat. Fat (grams)
13.49Carbs (grams)
47.93Fiber (grams)
5.21Net carbs
42.72Sugar (grams)
3.01Protein (grams)
23.02Sodium (milligrams)
1351.51Cholesterol (grams)
77.35
Miss Raven's Kitchen 
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