Description
Craving a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that’s bursting with flavor? Look no further than Tater Tot Hotdish! This classic Midwest comfort food features layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy sauce, crisp veggies, and golden tater tots, topped with gooey melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, this casserole is the ultimate family favorite!
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 packet dry onion soup and dip mix
- 12 ounces frozen green beans
- 12 ounces frozen corn
Topping
- 32 ounces frozen tater tots
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Creamy Sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups milk (whole or 2%)
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even baking.
2. Cook the Ground Beef
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with diced onion, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Stir frequently until the beef is browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
3. Season the Beef
Stir in the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and dry onion soup mix. Let the mixture cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to combine flavors.
4. Add Vegetables
Mix in the frozen green beans and corn. Stir until evenly distributed, then remove the skillet from heat.
5. Make the Creamy Sauce
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the chicken broth, milk, and flour. Add soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
6. Combine the Filling
Pour the creamy sauce over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir until everything is well coated.
7. Assemble the Hotdish
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray. Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly in the bottom. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
8. Bake
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
9. Add Cheese
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the tater tots and return the dish to the oven for 5-7 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Serve and Enjoy
Let the Tater Tot Hotdish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of color, if desired.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Assemble the hotdish up to 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate, then bake when ready.
- Freezer-Friendly: Once baked, let the casserole cool completely. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in the oven.
- Vegetarian Option: Skip the ground beef and double the vegetables. Use veggie broth for the sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American