Oh yes, I’m recreating a childhood memory with this homemade Tater Tot Casserole. I know everyone’s Mom made this and the usual suspects included, but did not limit; canned vegetables {canned green beans was my Mom’s jam}, cream of mushroom soup, ground beef, and frozen tater tots.
All of that goodness combined with a little ketchup on top made for one delicious comfort meal from my childhood.
Nothing against you Mommas making this out there, but we can do a little better than that or at least try.
I got my first and hopefully last Fall cold this week so comfort for this Sunday supper is what I needed. Putting this dish together in one pan is easy with a big cast iron skillet. You may use a regular casserole dish instead of a cast iron. But I like the convenience of being able to cook and bake with my cast iron without having to transfer anything.
I bought green beans in a bag to steam, I like using Green Giant Steamers Whole Green Beans, you can find it in your produce section. So easy to poke a couple holes in the bag, microwave for 3 minutes, allow to cool and chp into bite sized pieces to add to your casserole. Another easy prep hack is letting your food processor do all the chopping with the mushrooms and onions for a really easy prep. Also, I think it adds to the allusion that you used cream of mushroom but really made it yourself.
When using ground beef, look for a higher fat content {I think a better quality ground beef goes a long way in this} or try using bison, ground turkey or even ground chicken for a lighter dish.
Wine Pairing Recommendation: Yes you can totally pair wine with this dish. Pour yourself a glass of Syrah and reminisce those childhood memories, but at the same time being a classy adult eating tater tot casserole. It’s all about balance.
Tater Tot Casserole
A childhood favorite but sans a can of cream of mushroom soup and frozen veggies. Up the flavor factor, use good quality ground beef or try substituting bison, ground turkey or ground chicken. I bought green beans in a bag to steam, I like using Green Giant Steamers Whole Green Beans, you can find it in your produce section. You may use a regular casserole dish instead of a cast iron for baking. Just make sure it's sprayed with nonstick cooking spray before adding the ground beef mixture, cheese and tater tots.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 1 small Onion, chopped
- 1 package {8 ounces} Cremini Mushrooms
- 1 package {12 ounces} Green Giant Steamers Whole Green Beans
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Flour
- 2/3 cup Chicken Stock or Beef Stock
- 1 cup Milk
- Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper, for seasoning
- 1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese
- 1 package {32 ounces} Frozen Tater Tots
Directions
- Step 1 Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- Step 2 In a large cast iron skillet heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook while breaking apart and stirring until browned, about 5-8 minutes. Spoon cooked ground beef to a plate or bowl and set aside.
- Step 3 Add butter and chopped onions to the pan and heat over medium heat. Using your food processor add cremini mushrooms and rough chop. Add mushrooms to your skillet and stir to combine. Saute over medium heat until tender and browned, about 3 minutes. Meanwhile, poke holes in your Green Bean bag and steam in the microwave for 3 minutes. Remove and cool before chopping in 1 inch pieces. Add to the pan and stir to combine.
- Step 4 Add garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce and flour to the skillet, stir to combine. Add chicken stock and milk, stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Season with kosher salt and ground black pepper about 1/2 teaspoon each, based on taste preference.
- Step 5 Turn heat off and add cooked ground beef. Stir to combine. Top the mixture with cheese. Arrange frozen tater tots on top. Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until tater tots are golden brown. Serve and enjoy!
Savor and Enjoy!
Don’t forget that to get the best quality ground beef, you can pick out a boneless chuck steak or roast and ask the guy behind the meat counter to grind it to a medium grind for you. It’s so much better than the stuff in the tubes.