healthier tater tot hot dish

This is one of the easiest dinners I know how to make – and it’s perfect for fall! It’s cozy, flavorful, and makes great leftovers. This version of Tater Tot Hot Dish is made healthier by adding extra veggies and taking out the canned soup – but it’s still just as creamy as the original!

this recipe

Tater Tot Hot Dish! If you don’t know what this is, you must not be from the Midwest. It’s a classic around these parts. I think Minnesotans are responsible for the term “hot dish” (correct me if I’m wrong on that) so other midwesterners might just call this Tater Tot Casserole. Either way, it’s delicious and so easy to make!

For the filling, we’re sauteing veggies like onions and bell peppers, then adding spices and cooked ground turkey. Then, we’re stirring in some flour, milk, and shredded cheese to make that creamy casserole base that a Tater Tot Hot Dish simply MUST have. Last, stir in black beans and corn, and top with your frozen tater tots!

And, this beauty is ready for the oven! See? I told you this was easy and quick to make! You can customize it a bit, too by adding or removing whatever veggies you do or don’t like. You can also change up the flavor of cheese or use ground beef if that’s more of your jam than ground turkey. 

Just before serving, top the whole dish off with some extra veggies to dress it up a bit. Then, DIG IN. 

Happy fall! (I can say that right? It’s September 3rd!)

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Healthier Tater Tot Hot Dish

This is one of the easiest dinners I know how to make - and it's perfect for fall! It's cozy, flavorful, and makes great leftovers. This version of Tater Tot Hot Dish is made healthier by adding extra veggies and taking out the canned soup - but it's still just as creamy and delicious as the original!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Main Dish, Midwestern

Keyword Easy Tater Tot Casserole

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Servings 6 people

Calories 725 kcal

Author Stephanie Simmons

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey or ground beef
• 2-3 TBSP olive oil
• 2 large bell peppers
• 1/2 a yellow onion
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• pinch of pepper
• 12 to 16 ounces cheese, grated I used a mix of monterrey jack and cheddar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 bag frozen tater tots

Instructions

1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Chop your onion and bell pepper. Cook your ground turkey in a large cast iron pan, take the meat out and set aside (I put mine in a paper-towel lined bowl or strainer to absorb excess grease), and wipe out the pan - or use a new pan.

2. Make the Hot Dish Filling: Heat the oil in your pan over medium heat. Saute the onion, peppers, and garlic until tender (but not too tender, it'll continue cooking as we progress and it will bake in the oven at the end, so aim for crisp-tender). Add the meat back into the pan with the veggies, and add the spices, stirring to combine everything. Add the flour, and stir to coat everything well. Next, slowly pour in the milk while whisking the mixture in the pan to keep everything nice and smooth. Next, slowly add the grated cheese, whisking while you add each handful. Again, this will keep things smooth, so the cheese doesn't clump up. You can add anywhere from 12-16 oz of cheese, depending on how cheesy you want it. Stir in the black beans and corn.

   Taste and add extra seasoning if desired.

3. Bake: Top with frozen tater tots. If your skillet is super full when you put it in the oven, add a sheet pan underneath to catch any drips. Bake for 25-30 minutes - tots will have browned slightly and the filling will be bubbling underneath.

4. Serve + Store: Top with extra diced peppers, cilantro, etc. after baking, if desired. Enjoy immediately! Store leftovers, tightly covered, in the fridge for up to 5 days.

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