A Minnesota Classic: Tator Tot Hotdish

An easy weeknight go-to meal or a comfort dish on a cold weekend!

Serves: 6-8
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 60 minutes
Total time: 75 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • Seasoned salt & black pepper, to taste
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 empty soup can milk
  • 1 bag of frozen mixed veggies
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese (*shred your own cheese – you won’t be disappointed)
  • 1 bag frozen tator tots

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large skillet, brown the hamburger with onion and seasoned salt and pepper (to your liking).
  3. Once the hamburger is cooked, drain off grease if necessary. Then, add cream of mushroom soup, milk, frozen mixed veggies, and ½ cup of the shredded cheese. Stir together over low heat to combine.
  4. In the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 baking dish, place one layer of tator tots (straight lines or throw ‘em in – whatever floats your boat) so the bottom of the pan is covered.
  5. Pour meat mixture evenly over tots. Then top with remaining cheese and tots.
  6. Bake for about 50-60 minutes, until the cheese is nice and bubbly.
  7. Enjoy!

I love a good hotdish (as we call them here in Minnesota 😉 ) – I mean, what’s not to love? A meal in one dish? Count me in! Tator Tot Hotdish is a classic, and there are many variations of the traditional recipe. Early in our marriage, I tried my hand at a couple different hotdish recipes, but Tator Tot Hotdish has always been one that Jacob enjoys and seems genuinely excited about when I mention that I’m making it for supper.

One evening I had an idea to try two layers of tator tots instead of just one on top. So, my recipe is a little different in that I layer tots on the bottom and the top. For some reason I think it adds more substance to the dish, but I think that could just be in my head. 😉 I also love to use mixed veggies of corn, peas, green beans, and carrots. I know some recipes only call for one vegetable, but I figure why not throw them all in! I love to buy frozen vegetables from Aldi, and this particular bag is the perfect amount for this recipe. 

While it creates a little extra prep time, I highly suggest you grate your own cheese from a block. I always do it when I have the time (but no doubt I use pre-shredded when I’m in a hurry) because it honestly tastes and melts so much better, and really is much creamier! I love my Oxo box grater because I can shred cheese right into the measuring cup! Get one for yourself by clicking on the picture below – I promise you won’t be disappointed!

I always make sure I have these ingredients on hand so I can whip this recipe out on a moment’s notice. Follow along below for step-by-step pictures!

  1. In a large skillet, brown the hamburger with onion and seasoned salt and pepper (to your liking).
  1. Once the hamburger is cooked, drain off grease if necessary. Then, add cream of mushroom soup, milk, frozen mixed veggies, and ½ cup of the shredded cheese. Stir together over low heat to combine.

3. In the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 baking dish, place one layer of tator tots (straight lines or throw ‘em in – whatever floats your boat) so the bottom of the pan is covered.

  1. Pour meat mixture evenly over tots. Then top with remaining cheese and tots.

5. Bake for about 50-60 minutes, until the cheese is nice and bubbly.

Please tag me @ellynoelfke on Instagram if you make this Tator Tot Hotdish! We love to see our recipes being made by real families. 🙂 And make sure to subscribe in the box below to get our original Rural Soul recipes sent right to your email!

Rooted in ag and led by faith,

Ellyn

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