Napoleon Dynamite: No, go find your own.
Randy: Come on, give me some of your tots.
Napoleon Dynamite: No, I'm freakin' starving! I didn't get to eat anything today.
Randy: [kicks the tots]
Napoleon Dynamite: Ugh! Gross! Freakin' idiot!
This is what I hear in my head now, every time I am cooking anything to do with tater-tots, which is pretty much "tater-tot casserole". But NOT JUST TATER TOT CASSEROLE! This one made it to the top of my list! THIS is what a good casserole should taste like in my book! THESE are left-overs we were fighting over! Serving size: not enough! THIS RIGHT HERE is possibly the best "casserole" I have ever made, and it was a simple Tater-tot casserole! So good-- and would you believe it contained broccoli. :) (I am desperately searching for a substitute-- not because I don't like it- you would think that I could remember that I am totally allergic. I was so sick that night, and I couldn't figure out why until the next morning when I remembered. :) But let me tell you, it was well worth it!!! (And that is saying something!) Don't you go subbing ANYTHING! This was pure goodness! I beg you to "Go find your own," whether you are "freakin' starving" or not!
4 cups frozen Tater Tots
1 lb. ground beef (I used ground turnkey with a sauted chopped onion in it.)
1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) condensed cream of broccoli soup, undiluted (I used cream of chicken)
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 can 2.8 oz.) french-fried onions, divided
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Colby-jack cheese, divided
1/3 cup milk
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. pepper
Place Tater Tots in an ungreased 13x9 baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 400 for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in broccoli, soup, tomato, 3/4 cup French-fried onions, 1/2 cup cheese, milk, garlic powder and pepper; heat through. Pour over tater tots.
Cover and bake for 20 minutes, uncover; sprinkle with remaining onions and cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. (12 servings)
I used to have tater tot casseroles when I lived in Idaho while I was going to college! I'd forgotten all about it until I saw this recipe. Looks sooo yummy!
ReplyDeleteYou are a genius! I like the idea of the broccoli and other veggies in place of the standard canned green beans we always had. Which are tasty, but this is probably better for you. I wonder if I could convice Seth-he is anti-tator tots . . . among other delicious things!
ReplyDeleteI just made tator-tot casserole a couple of days ago but I'll be making this soon. By the way, I happened upon your blog by accident and I'm glued. you are an amazing cook!!! Thanks for all of your awesome ideas...my kids and husband are loving all the new food!
ReplyDeleteI've tried shepherds pie with brocoli and really liked it. Your photo looks perfect!
ReplyDeleteI've always used canned corn for my tater-tot casserole. And... I drizzle ketchup over the top and then I eat it all by myself, just kidding. But it's so good I want to.
ReplyDeleteDo you really have to bake it for "5019 minutes" My timer doesn't go that high.
ReplyDelete