I have to start this post with an explanation…. I am southern, my husband is midwestern.  Mark grew up in Minnesota and his parents are originally from North Dakota.  There are some differences and some similarities in the recipes and food traditions of our childhoods.  But one thing that is different is “hot dish”.  When we met Mark told me about his favorite hot dish and I said “What is a hot dish?”  Well… the answer to that question is a casserole.  Minnesotans call a casserole a hot dish.  Well whatever you call it Mark’s favorite is a favorite winter comfort food at our house.  It is great served with green beans or a salad.

Tater Tot Hot Dish

1.5 lbs of ground beef

2 cans of Cream of Mushroom

1 32 oz bag of tater tots

salt

pepper

8oz of extra sharp cheddar cheese(grated)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Thaw tater tots (refrigerator temperature).   Brown the ground beef in pan, salt and pepper to taste.  In a 9×13 pan spread tater tots evenly.  Top with ground beef.  Spread cream of mushroom soup evenly over the top.  Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes.  Take the dish out of the oven and add grated cheese  Bake for additional 10 minutes.  Serve immediately.

I always use an iron skillet to brown ground beef. I have my grandmother's iron skillet which I love.

Tater tots are ready to be hot dish!

Ready for the oven!

Yum! Dinner time!