The classic Minnesotan favorite is reimagined in this Mexican-style tater tot hot dish recipe! Using a simple carne molida similar to picadillo, this tater tot casserole recipe comes together in a single skillet and is both gluten-free and dairy-free! Dinner has never tasted so good or felt so wholesome as we ditch the canned soup in favor of a simpler homemade gravy, and swap out the mild Midwestern flavors for something a little more spicy and fun. Get ready to meet the new Minnesota classic: Not Yo Mama’s Tater Tot Hotdish!
The Minnesota Way
There is something about those favorite Minnesota dishes. We’re talking wild rice soup, tater tot hotdish, deep fried cheese curds, and cucumber salad.
All Minnesota. All hometown noms.
I’ve eaten most of these native dishes all my life, and that’s because as simple as they are, they are also fantastically delicious.
Can I say that? Fantastically delicious? It’s true, regardless.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t any room to play around and have some fun. So let’s do that with this tater tot hotdish recipe!
What Is A Hotdish?
It’s the same thing as a casserole. Why it’s called a hotdish here, I couldn’t tell ya, but that’s what we call it here in Minnesota, as well as in places like Wisconsin and the Dakotas.
A hotdish typically contains a starch, a meat, canned or frozen veggies, and canned soup. For this recipe we’re staying relatively on-track, but we are ditching the canned soup in favor of a homemade gravy that takes seconds to make in the same pan as everything else, so no extra messes happening!
What’s In This Hotdish?
Bold flavors, that’s what!
We’re really spicing it up with some of the highest-quality, USDA Organic Certified and Non-GMO Project Verified herbs and spices from Watkins!
Did you know Watkins recently expanded their organic spices and blends line to include over 40 different varieties?! Hello, amazing! A few of my favorites are:
- Organic Ground Cumin
- Organic Garlic Powder
- Organic Chili Powder
You really can’t go wrong with any of their products, as Watkins is one of the world’s top purveyors in natural and gourmet flavoring products for more than 150 years.
Plus! They’re a Minnesota company! YASSSSSSSSSS
How Do You Make This Hotdish?
Since this whole recipe comes together in a single skillet, it’s a breeze to make!
- Brown the beef, then add the onions, followed by the garlic and serrano peppers
- Add seasonings
- Make the roux
- Add the tomatoes and green beans
- Top with seasoned tater tots and bake
Bam! Super easy! Did I mention that these aren’t just any ol’ tater tots? We’re making Mexican tater tots, coated in Watkins Organic Chili Powder, Organic Garlic Powder, and Mediterranean Sea Salt! They are heavenly, zomg.
Not Yo Mama’s Tater Tot Hotdish
Throw out your old recipes and get ready to replace them with this super simple one skillet tater tot hotdish recipe! Featuring bold Mexican flavors and ready in under 60 minutes, this hearty tater tot casserole recipe will be an easy weeknight dinner win for the whole family. With flavorful Watkins organic spices and blends, this dish will tickle the tastebuds and leave them begging for more! Available now in-store at select retailers across the nation like Cub Foods, Menards, WinCo, SuperValu, Food Lion, and more, and online as well. Grab your favorites and everything you need for this recipe now!
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Not Yo Mama's Tater Tot Hotdish Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large serrano pepper seeded and diced
- 1 tablespoon Watkins Organic Ground Cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons Watkins Organic Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Watkins Organic Paprika
- ¾ teaspoon Watkins Mediterranean Sea Salt
- ½ teaspoon Watkins Organic Ground Black Pepper
- 1 ½ tablespoons gluten free 1:1 baking flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes drained
- 1 14.5 oz can whole green beans drained
For the Tater Tots
- 2 lbs frozen tater tots
- 1 tablespoon Watkins Organic Chili Powder
- 1 tablespoon Watkins Organic Garlic Powder
- 2 teaspoons Watkins Mediterranean Sea Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large, 12 inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook, crumbling as it cooks, until no longer pink, around 5 minutes. Add the onion and continue cooking until lightly translucent, around 4 minutes more. Add the garlic and serrano pepper and cook for 1 minute. Add seasonings and stir thoroughly to combine.
- Push the meat mixture to one side of the pan and let the grease drain to the other side. Whisk the baking flour into the grease until a paste forms, then slowly whisk in the beef broth until the paste dissolves and a gravy forms. Stir the meat mixture back into the gravy, then stir in the diced tomatoes and green beans.
- In a large plastic bag, add the frozen tater tots, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt. Shake vigorously to coat the tots, then arrange the tots in a single layer on top of the meat mixture in the skillet. Place skillet in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the tots are golden and crispy and the meat mixture is bubbling around the tots. For even crispier tots, turn the broiler on during the last couple of minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
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Jackie H says
Made it… modified it a bit with the herbs, didnt drain the tomatoes, didn’t add the green beans (I served broccoli on the side) and I added a thin layer of shredded cheese to the top of the meat mixture before adding the tots.
The dish is sooo easy and It was delish 😋
Noelle says
Wow, this was a twist on my normal tater tot hotdish and it was soo good!!!
Carrie says
Looks delicious and using one pan to do it in is great. Will give it a shot.