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Classic Cozy Midwest Hot Dish Casserole

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A comforting and easy-to-make casserole featuring browned ground beef, creamy mushroom soup, green beans, and a crispy tater tot topping. Perfect for busy weeknights and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 12 oz frozen green beans
  • 32 oz tater tots
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 100 grams)
  • 1 small diced onion
  • 2 minced garlic cloves
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat vegetable oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and minced garlic, sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Transfer the cooked beef mixture to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup and frozen green beans until evenly coated.
  5. Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
  6. Arrange tater tots in a single layer over the cheese, spacing them slightly apart for crispiness.
  7. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until the tots are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is bubbling. If tots brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking.
  8. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set.
  9. Serve warm, scooping generous portions with crispy topping and creamy filling.

Notes

For less sogginess, thaw and drain frozen veggies before mixing. Browning beef well enhances flavor and reduces moisture. Space tater tots slightly apart for crispier edges. For cheesier topping, add extra cheddar during last 5 minutes of baking. Variations include swapping beef for lentils or tofu for vegetarian, using fresh or canned green beans, or substituting different cheeses. Gluten-free versions require GF soup and tots.

Nutrition

Keywords: hot dish casserole, Midwest casserole, tater tot casserole, comfort food, easy casserole, ground beef casserole, mushroom soup casserole

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/classic-cozy-midwest-hot-dish-casserole-easy-homemade-comfort-food-recipe/