Minnesota Tater Tot Hotdish is a hearty meal and classic Midwestern staple. Whether as a main or side, everyone at the table will be satisfied. This one-dish meal is great for Thanksgiving or any time!
Original post: February 2016 | Updated: September 2021
Why This Recipe Works
Minnesota tater tot hotdish is one of my favorite casserole recipes of all time. Here are a few reasons why I adore it:
- The crispy topping is irresistible!
- It’s one of the few dishes that makes it to our Thanksgiving table every single year.
- It makes great leftovers! It is so delicious when enjoyed the next day, and topped with a splash of hot sauce.
- This one-dish wonder can be served any time of the year.
- This iconic dish is a family favorite and can serve a lot of people.
Recipe Ingredients
Olive oil – Any type of oil can be used.
Yellow onion – White onion can be used instead.
Ground beef – Ground turkey or sausage would be excellent replacement options for ground beef. Or skip the meat altogether to make it a meatless dish!
Seasonings – Salt and pepper are the easy, effective seasonings, but feel free to use spices or seasonings of your choice such as paprika or seasoned salt.
Vegetables – Replace the corn and beans with 2 cups of frozen mixed veggies with peas and carrots, if desired. French style or cut green beans can be used.
Cream of mushroom soup – Cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup can replace mushroom!
Ketchup – Use your favorite brand!
Worcestershire sauce – This ingredient is one of the secret stars of the show, so don’t skimp.
Tater tots – Frozen tater tots do not need to be thawed before adding them to the baking pan. Throw them in straight from the freezer!
Cheddar cheese – Any type of melty cheese can be used.
How To Make Classic Minnesota Tater Tot Hotdish
Prep for this Tatertot Hotdish is minimal. There is no need to pre-cook veggies or tater tots. Easy peasy! This Minnesota hotdish is going to make your house smell good and fill everyone up!
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until tender and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
Add ground beef to the pan and brown ground beef until no longer pink. Drain grease from pan and add salt and freshly ground black pepper to onions and beef.
Step 2
Add green beans, cream of mushroom canned soup, corn, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes and pour in an even layer into prepared 3 3/4 quart baking dish.
Step 3
Once the entire surface has been topped with a layer of tater tots (do this in a single layer), sprinkle the shredded cheese over top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until tater tots are golden brown and the cheddar cheese is melted.
Recipe Notes
- Replace the corn and green beans with 2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables, if desired.
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder would be a great addition to the ground beef mixture.
- Assemble this dish one day ahead of time, minus tots and cheese. When you’re ready to bake, add frozen tots and shredded cheese, pop it into the oven and cook as directed!
- Add 1/2 cup sour cream to the beef-veggie mixture for an extra creamy consistency.
- Top with chopped fresh parsley just before serving.
What Is A Hotdish
Maybe you’re not from Minnesota and the word hotdish is confusing. Casserole is a more familiar word. Hotdish is a one-pot, easy comfort food, packed with a protein and potato (or some sort of starch), veggies and a gravy or sauce. Minnesotans love their hotdish recipes.
It is a great option because it’s very affordable, using frozen, canned or fresh veggies. Layering the meat, potatoes and veggies in thin layers allows you to pack a lot of food into one pan. Also, it’s a great dish for leftovers and serves big groups!
What To Serve With Tater Tot Hotdish
Here is a delicious list of ideas if you’re looking for recipes to serve alongside your next hearty casserole:
- Tomato soup or a cream soup such as homemade cream of mushroom soup.
- Succulent meats such as turkey, chicken, pot roast or ham.
- Vegetables like asparagus, fresh green beans, spinach or Brussels sprouts.
What is the Best Way to Freeze Classic Hotdish
Click over for our best tips about freezing leftover tater tot casserole.
Hot dish will stay fresh in the fridge when stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days. If you want to freeze for later enjoyment, you have a couple options:
Freeze Unbaked
- Assemble the layers as directed in an aluminum baking pan and wrap tightly in foil. Place into freezer bags and freeze for 3-4 months.
- When you are ready to enjoy the casserole, thaw completely (preferably in the fridge overnight) and bake as directed.
Freeze Baked
When you are ready to enjoy the casserole, let it thaw completely (preferably in the fridge overnight). Reheat in a 250 degree F oven uncovered for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
Assemble the layers and bake as directed in an aluminum baking pan. Let the casserole cool completely and wrap tightly in foil. Place into resealable freezer bags and freeze for up to 4 months.
Cheap Dinner Ideas Using Ground Beef
Make supper affordable with this delicious list of affordable dinner ideas using ground beef as a main ingredient. Ground beef does not need to be boring!
Ground Beef and Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipes
Simplify dinner tonight! Create an easy, affordable and delicious meal using two hearty main ingredients. Click over for a handful of ground beef and cream of mushroom soup recipes!
Mac and Cheese Recipes for Thanksgiving – 13 Delicious Ideas!
Mac and cheese is a Thanksgiving staple! Read on for some scrumptious mac and cheese recipes for Thanksgiving that you can make this year! You’ll find a ton of options to choose from in this roundup.
Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes
- This is my Mom’s Mashed Potatoes recipe and it is the BEST ever. Great with any main dish, any time of year. You’ll never need another mashed potato recipe again!
- Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce is a delicious dish to add to any meal, most famously known for being part of your Thanksgiving table!
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are creamy, smooth, delicious and easy to prepare. No boiling or saucepan/stovetop cleaning required with this side dish.
- This Classic Sweet Potato Casserole is great on your Thanksgiving table and also a perfect side dish that can be enjoyed any time of the year.
- This delicious Crockpot Stuffing with Leeks and Sausage is made easier in a slow cooker! The addition of leeks and sausage makes it unique and delicious. Don’t limit this to Thanksgiving fare.
- If you really love to have low carb options available, try this Cauliflower Stuffing recipe! It’s an easy, healthy side dish for your next holiday meal! Cauliflower stuffing is a low carb, gluten free recipe that does not lack in flavor.
- This Thanksgiving Punch makes the perfect drink for Thanksgiving dinner. It has the delicious flavors of fall and will be a crowd pleaser.
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Minnesota Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup green beans frozen
- 1 cup sweet corn frozen
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 32 oz tater tots frozen
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until tender and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain grease from pan and add salt and pepper to onions and beef.
- Add green beans, corn, soup, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes and pour in an even layer into prepared baking dish.
- Top with the tater tots (in a single layer), followed by the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until tater tots are lightly browned and cheese is melted.
Video
Notes
- To add a bit of spice to the dish, add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the beef onion mixture.
- Two cups of frozen mixed vegetables can replace the green beans and corn.
- Cream of chicken or cream of celery soup can replace cream of mushroom, if desired!
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder would be a great addition to the beef mixture.
- Ground turkey or sausage would be excellent replacement options for ground beef or skip the meat altogether to make it a meatless dish!
- Frozen tater tots do not need to be thawed before adding them to the baking pan. Throw them in straight from the freezer!
I used 1 can cream of chicken, 1 can of cream of mushroom and a can of cream of celery. I also used a cup of sour cream. But I did use just under 2 lbs of burger, so basically a double sized batch. I also used 2 bags of green beans. We couldn’t stop eating it…
could golden mushroom soup be substituted to get rid of all dairy?
Good question! Yes, omitting the cheese is not going to change the overall recipe and golden mushroom soup would be delicious!
What soup could you use in place of cream of mushroom?
Any cream of mushroom soup would work. If your question is what can you use instead of a creamy soup, try a plain greek yogurt or sour cream.
I’ve used a cab of cream of chicken. And a can of cream of celery!! It’s delish!
Great idea, Natasha! So glad it was enjoyed. Thank you for commenting!
Hey can you use a different soup
Definitely! I like cream of mushroom and that’s just my preference. But a different flavor would be easily exchanged.
Made this tonight for dinner! Super yummy! Thank you!
This is an oldie but goodie! Glad you enjoyed it!