Tater Tot Hotdish
User Reviews
4.9
52 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Total Time
15 mins
-
Servings
8 servings
-
Calories
595 kcal
-
Course
Main Course, Lunch
-
Cuisine
American
Tater Tot Hotdish
Report
Tater Tot Hotdish is a hearty casserole that combines ground venison or meat with vegetables, mushrooms, cream, and herbs, topped with cheese and crispy tater tots. The recipe includes soaking dried mushrooms to enhance their flavor and layering the mixture before baking until bubbly and golden. This dish offers a comforting texture contrast between the creamy filling and crunchy potato topping, making it a satisfying meal for cooler days, particularly suited for gatherings requiring a warming entrée.
Description
This recipe involves browning ground venison with celery and onions, infusing it with minced garlic and dried mushrooms rehydrated by soaking. The soaking liquid, partially strained, is used in the dish to deepen the mushroom flavor. Seasonings like marjoram and mustard powder add herbal and subtle spicy notes. Heavy cream enriches the mixture, while frozen peas contribute a subtle sweetness. The casserole is topped with shredded cheese and a layer of tater tots before baking until the crust turns golden and crispy. The use of venison lends a rich, gamey flavor, but other meats can be substituted. The combination of ingredients delivers creamy, savory filling beneath a crunchy, cheesy topping that holds together well for serving.
Share:
Ingredients
- 2 pounds venison or other meat, ground
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 2 ribs celery chopped
- 1 ounce dried mushrooms (about 2 handfuls)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- salt
- black pepper
- 2 teaspoons marjoram divided, or savory or thyme
- 1 tablespoon mustard powder dry
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 ounces pea or other frozen vegetables, frozen
- 6 ounces cheese shredded
- 32 ounces tater tots
- 2 tablespoons parsley optional, chopped, fresh
Instructions
- Brown the ground venison in a large pan; use a little oil if the grind has no extra fat. After it has mostly browned, add the celery and chopped onions and keep cooking until the meat is nicely browned and the onions are soft, about 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of water to a boil and add the dried mushrooms. Turn off the heat and let them soak.
- Add the chopped garlic and some salt to the pan with the meat and onions. Cook this over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes, stirring well.
- Fish out the mushrooms, squeeze them to remove excess moisture and chop roughly. If the soaking water is full of debris, strain it. If not, pour about 1/3 into the pan with the meat and onions. Bring this to a boil.
- Add half the marjoram and mustard to the meat mixture and boil this down until it's mostly dry.
- While this is happening, preheat the oven to 350°F. Put the mushrooms, another 1/3 of the soaking water, the other half of the marjoram, a pinch of salt and black pepper, and the cream into a blender and puree. If it's too thick, add a little more soaking water. Taste it and add more salt if need be. Pour this into the pan with the meat, add the peas and stir well.
- Pour all this into a casserole dish; a typical 9x13" works well. Spread it evenly. Add a layer of grated cheese over everything, as thick as you want. Then arrange tater tots to cover it all, pressing in a little. Bake for 45 minutes uncovered.
- Take it out of the oven, let it cool a bit before serving, ans sprinkle with parsley, if using.
Notes
- Use canned cream of mushroom soup as a shortcut instead of making your own sauce mixture.
- This recipe can be made with other ground meats if venison is unavailable.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
595kcal
(30%)
Carbohydrates
39g
(13%)
Protein
35g
(70%)
Fat
34g
(52%)
Saturated Fat
15g
(75%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
(29%)
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Cholesterol
141mg
(47%)
Sodium
741mg
(31%)
Potassium
857mg
(18%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
835IU
(17%)
Vitamin C
19mg
(21%)
Calcium
170mg
(17%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 595 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 595kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 34g | 52% |
| Saturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 141mg | 47% |
| Sodium | 741mg | 31% |
| Potassium | 857mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 835IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 19mg | 21% |
| Calcium | 170mg | 17% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
52 reviews
Excellent
Other Recipes
You'll Also Love
