Tater Tot Hotdish with ground beef, onions, garlic, cream of mushroom soup, green beans, cheddar cheese, and crispy golden tater tots on top.
My first run-in with Tater Tot Hotdish wasn’t in a kitchen—it was in a drafty church basement in Minnesota in late November. You know the kind of event I’m talking about. Long folding tables covered in mismatched crockpots, Jell-O “salads” in every neon color, and the faint sound of someone in the corner trying to convince you to buy raffle tickets.
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
I remember spotting this one casserole dish right in the middle of the buffet. It was steaming, topped with tater tots so perfectly golden they looked staged. I didn’t even know what a “hotdish” was at the time, but I knew I wanted it. One scoop later—crispy on top, creamy in the middle, savory beef, green beans that somehow worked with cheese—and I was done for.
Ever since, I’ve been making my own Tater Tot Hotdish, and while mine will never have that exact same “potluck magic” vibe (probably because I don’t serve it next to a slow cooker of cocktail weenies), it’s still one of my favorite comfort foods.
Here’s a quick peek at what’s inside:
Table of content
Why You’ll Love This Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe?
Look, there’s no pretending this is a fancy dish. It’s humble. It’s hearty. It’s exactly the kind of thing you make when the weather’s gross, you’re tired, and you just want something that makes you feel like you’re wrapped in a blanket. The tater tots get crisp on top, the cheese gets melty, the sauce gets creamy… and every bite has a little of everything. Plus, you can feed a crowd without breaking the bank, which is always a win in my book.
Ingredient Notes:
I’ll level with you—you can tweak this however you like. But here’s why each thing earns its place:
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Onion – Adds sweetness and depth, especially if you cook it until it’s just turning golden.
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Garlic – Non-negotiable. Don’t even try to skip it.
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Ground beef – The classic. Though I’ve been known to use ground turkey when I’m pretending to be healthy.
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Worcestershire sauce – That sneaky flavor boost that makes people go, “What is that?”
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Cream of mushroom soup – This is where the creaminess comes from. Hate mushrooms? Swap for cream of chicken. No rules here.
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Green beans – A pop of green to make you feel like you’re eating vegetables.
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Cheddar cheese – The melty, gooey glue holding this whole thing together.
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Tater tots – The crown jewel. Don’t skimp here—good, crispy tots make the whole dish.
How To Make Tater Tot Hotdish?
Step 1: Preheat the oven
350°F. Give your baking dish a quick spray so cleanup doesn’t make you cry later.
Step 2: Cook the beef
Brown the ground beef with onion and garlic in a skillet. Let the onions get soft, the garlic fragrant, and then drain off the fat.
Step 3: Season it
Stir in Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Taste it now—this is your last chance to tweak before layering.
Step 4: Build your hotdish
Spread the beef mixture in your baking dish. Add a layer of cream of mushroom soup. Then green beans. Season again if you’re feeling bold. Sprinkle on the cheese.
Step 5: Tater tot time
Arrange them in neat little rows… or just throw them on if you’re short on patience. Either way, they’ll taste the same.
Step 6: Bake
35–40 minutes, or until the tots are golden and the cheese is bubbling.
Step 7: Serve immediately
Hotdish waits for no one.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Storage Options:
Leftovers? Sure, in theory. But if you actually have any, they’ll keep in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the oven for crisp tots or the microwave for quick comfort food (just… no crisp).
Variations and Substitutions:
Tater Tot Hotdish is basically a blank canvas:
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Swap green beans for corn, peas, or mixed veggies.
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Use ground sausage for a breakfast-for-dinner twist.
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Try pepper jack cheese for a little heat.
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Add mushrooms, peppers, or whatever you’ve got lying around in the fridge.
What to Serve with Tater Tot Hotdish?
It’s pretty much a full meal on its own, but:
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A crunchy green salad helps balance all that creaminess.
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Dinner rolls are perfect for “cleaning up” your plate.
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Pickles or coleslaw give a tangy contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, and it actually works great this way. Just assemble, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when you’re ready—add a few extra minutes if it’s cold.
Can I freeze it?
Definitely. Assemble and freeze before baking. Bake from frozen and tack on about 20 minutes.
Do I have to use cream of mushroom?
Nope. Cream of chicken, celery, or even a homemade white sauce if you’re feeling fancy.
This Tater Tot Hotdish will never win a beauty contest, but it will win the “most scraped-clean dish at the table” award every single time. It’s the food equivalent of fuzzy socks and a favorite blanket—warm, a little messy, and exactly what you need.
So, are you making it this week, or are you waiting until the next potluck to try it out?
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Tater Tot Hotdish
Ingredients
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 pound ground beef cooked and drained
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 can 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can 15 ounces cut green beans, drained
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 package frozen tater tots
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8- or 9-inch square baking dish with nonstick spray.
Cook the Beef Mixture
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic until the beef is fully browned and the onion is softened. Drain off any excess fat.
Season the Meat
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the beef mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to form the base layer.
Add the Middle Layers
- Spread the cream of mushroom soup evenly over the beef. Arrange the drained green beans on top of the soup layer. Season lightly with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
Top with Cheese and Tater Tots
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the vegetables. Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the cheese.
Bake the Hotdish
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted.
Serve
- Remove from the oven and serve hot.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
