Classic Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe: The Perfect Comfort Food

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Bowl of Baked Tater Tot Hotdish in front of baking pan

Discover the best classic Tater Tot Hotdish recipe. Sometimes called Tater Tot Casserole, this cheesy and hearty comfort food is perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or sharing with friends. Plus, the leftovers are even better.

If you’re a Napoleon Dynamite fan, you’ll love being able to quote the movie with your dinner! You can read about the history of tots to share facts over dinner too.

Tater Tot Hotdish was one of my Mom’s go-to dinners in our house when I was growing up and I still haven’t outgrown it. This Midwest classic is always a crowd-pleaser in our house and I don’t think it will die down anytime soon.

Follow along with our step-by-step recipe to create a meal that’s as satisfying as it is easy to make.

What is Tater Tot Hotdish?

Tater Tot Hotdish is a baked casserole with layers of ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, cheese, and tater tots. It’s really that simple!

This dish is wholeheartedly Midwestern, particularly up north in Minnesota and South Dakota (where I was born). This hearty dish is a staple in our comfort food rotation and I hope it will become yours too.

Someday I will learn to make my own tater tots from scratch, but for now we do purchase pre-made tots.

You should also give our Shepherd’s Pie recipe a try for another cozy casserole.

Tater Tot Hotdish Pinterest image

Essential Tools

  • 9 x 13 Casserole Dish (you can get foil pans to freeze or share)
  • Large Pan
  • Silicone Spatula
  • Mix N Chop Meat Tool (seriously one of my favorite kitchen tools)
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • 1-2 TBSP Fat for sauteing (tallow, bacon grease, coconut oil)

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Ingredients for Tater Tot Hot Dish

  • 2 lb. ground beef or venison
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3-4 Cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 cans (10.5 oz) Cream of Mushroom soup (I like to use this Gluten Free Cream of Mushroom Soup)
  • 1-2 tsp Salt
  • 1/8-1/4 tsp Pepper
  • 2 Cups Shredded Cheese of choice
  • 2 bags Frozen Tater Tots (bag sizes can vary, but you need about 145 tots)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Mince cloves of garlic, set aside and dice onion
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  3. Grease 9×13-inch baking dish
  4. In a large pan, add fat and heat over medium
  5. Sauté onion for 2-3 minutes, or until starting to become translucent
  6. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, a minute or two
  7. Next add the ground meat and brown until fully cooked, drain excess fat if needed
  8. Remove from heat and stir in the cream of mushroom soup, salt, and pepper
  9. In prepared dish, line bottom with a layer of tater tots
  10. Spread the meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish
  11. Top with shredded cheese and add another layer of tater tots over the cheese
  12. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and cheesy is bubbling
  13. Let casserole for 5 minutes before serving

Let’s Make Some Comfort Food

chopped onion and garlic

Mince cloves of garlic, set aside and dice onion.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large pan, add fat and heat over medium. Sauté onion for 2-3 minutes, or until starting to become translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, a minute or two.

ground chorizo venison in pan with onions and garlic

Next add the ground meat and brown until fully cooked.

browned meat and onions in a gray skillet pan

Drain excess fat if needed.

cream of mushroom soup on top of browned meat

Remove from heat and stir in the cream of mushroom soup, salt, and pepper.

one layer of tater tots in a blue ceramic baking pan

In prepared dish, line bottom with a layer of tater tots.

teal spoon placing meat mixture on top of layer of tater tot

Spread the meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.

shredded cheese on top of meat mixture in a blue baking pan

Top with shredded cheese of choice.

Tater Tot Hotdish placed in the oven to bake

Add another layer of tater tots over the cheese.

Baked Tater Tot Hotdish in a blue ceramic pan

Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and cheesy is bubbling.

Topview of Bowl of Baked Tater Tot Hotdish next to baking pan

Let casserole for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Perfect Tater Tot Hotdish

  • For extra flavor, season the ground beef with garlic powder and onion powder, or your favorite spice mix
  • Use sharp cheddar cheese for a bolder taste, or give gouda a try for something a little fancier
  • If you want your tater tots crispier on top, you can try broiling your hotdish for the last 3–5 minutes of baking
  • If your tater tots are browning too quickly while baking, cover lightly with foil to finish baking

Variations and Flavor Swaps

You can totally put your own spin on this Tater Tot Hotdish recipe. Try changing up the meat seasoning, the soup variety, or the cheese blend:

  • Add in a can of diced mushrooms for extra shroomy flavor
  • Add in 1-2 cups of frozen mixed veggies for a boost in vitamins
  • Stir in a 1/2 cup of sour cream or Greek yogurt with the meat for a smooth tang
  • Try using breakfast sausage for a perfect breakfast casserole
  • Season your meat with Chorizo for a fun kick
  • Top the meat layer with jalapenos or Pickled Peppers for some spice
  • Try using sweet potato or veggie tots for a different take

Tater tot hot dish is a complete meal all by itself, but you can serve it with a side salad or crusty bread for a more rounded dinner.

Storing and Reheating Tater Tot Hotdish

Tater Tot Hotdish stores and reheats wonderfully. You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days, if it lasts that long.

You can also freeze your casserole before baking if you want to save it for another day or make a double batch to save yourself some time later. To freeze, put together your hotdish (without baking), cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for 2-3 months. Bake your Tater Tot Hotdish directly from frozen, adding up to 15-30 extra minutes to the baking time. I freeze mine the reusable foil pans.

This classic Midwest casserole just hits right no matter the occasion. Perfect for potlucks, family dinner, or just because. Tater Tot Hotdish will comfort you with its warm gooey cheese and savory meat filling. Plus, who doesn’t love tater tots? Get ready to have a new favorite in your dinner rotation.

Tater Tot Hotdish Featured Image

Classic Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe

Yield: 10 Servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Discover the best tater tot hotdish recipe! This easy, cheesy, and hearty comfort food is perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb. ground beef or venison
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3-4 Cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 cans (10.5 oz) Cream of Mushroom soup (I like to use this Gluten Free Cream of Mushroom Soup)
  • 1-2 tsp Salt
  • 1/8-1/4 tsp Pepper
  • 2 Cups Shredded Cheese of choice
  • 2 bags Frozen Tater Tots (bag sizes can vary, but you need about 145 tots)

Instructions

  1. Mince cloves of garlic, set aside and dice onion
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  3. Grease 9x13-inch baking dish
  4. In a large pan, add fat and heat over medium
  5. Sauté onion for 2-3 minutes, or until starting to become translucent
  6. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, a minute or two
  7. Next add the ground meat and brown until fully cooked, drain excess fat if needed
  8. Remove from heat and stir in the cream of mushroom soup, salt, and pepper
  9. In prepared dish, line bottom with a layer of tater tots
  10. Spread the meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish
  11. Top with shredded cheese and add another layer of tater tots over the cheese
  12. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy and cheesy is bubbling
  13. Let casserole for 5 minutes before serving

Notes

For extra flavor, season the ground beef with garlic powder and onion powder, or your favorite spice mix

Use sharp cheddar cheese for a bolder taste, or give gouda a try for something a little fancier

If you want your tater tots crispier on top, you can try broiling your hotdish for the last 3–5 minutes of baking

If your tater tots are browning too quickly while baking, cover lightly with foil to finish baking

Nutrition Information
Yield 10 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 442Total Fat 28gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 115mgSodium 1158mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 1gSugar 4gProtein 35g

*This has not been evaluated by the FDA

© ahintofhomestead
Cuisine: American / Category: Meals

FAQS

Can I use a different type of cream soup?

Yes, you can also use cream of chicken or cream of celery soup.

Can I use any type of shredded cheese?

Cheddar is the most common, but you can try switching it up and using Monterey jack, pepper jack, mozzarella, or any combination of cheeses.

Can I make Tater Tot Hotdish ahead of time?

Yes! You can combine the casserole and refrigerate overnight before baking the next day.

Can I freeze Tater Tot Hotdish?

Yes! Put everything together, let cool and then cover with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. You can bake from frozen, it will just take a bit longer.

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5 Comments

  1. This is an excitinge new style of cooking for me. I have never had tater tots so will surely look out for mking this hot dish.

    Reply

  4. Oh, this sounds so delicious. Like a cozy winter dinner by the fire after a snowball fight in the frigid cold. I love the combination of potatoes and cheese and ground meat! I’m saving this! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  5. My husband LOVES tater tot hot dishes, all different kinds! We have tried so many, I forget about this classic, I’ll have to try!

    Reply