This Tater Tots with Gravy Casserole turns a humble package of frozen potato puffs into a simple, delicious meal! Definitely kid-friendly and adult approved.
Kid-friendly meals are a thing in our house. I definitely wish that slowly over time, my kids’ palates will acclimate to more diverse kinds of food so kid-friendly meals will no longer have the meaning it does now.
However, creating meals for my kids is also fun. I love seeing the glow in their eyes as I serve them their favorites. And when I create something for the first time that I think they will like, nothing defeats the joy I feel when they actually like it!
This Tater Tots with Gravy Casserole is an easy prediction. My kids love crispy potatoes (french fries?). And they love beefy gravy.
Hotdish or Tater Tots Casserole
While this is not a traditional tater tot casserole or hotdish as it is originally called, it contains one key element of a hotdish- the tater tots.
What I love about a hotdish is that you get a complete meal, upgrading a bag of frozen potato puffs into a filling dish for the whole family.
Pointers and Tips
- I used a disc-shaped type of potato puffs here. You can definitely use the traditional oval shape.
- Instead of mushrooms, you can use frozen mixed veggies, or canned ones (drained).
- I made an easy gravy here to give the dish a saucy element. This is not a traditional route, but is tasty and does not really take long to do. I hope you try it!
The Process
Cook the Beef
Brown the beef in a saucepan. Then add garlic and onion. Cook the veggies until they are soft, then add the mushrooms. Cook until softened.
Make an easy gravy by combining flour and beef broth in a bowl. Add this to the saucepan and allow it to simmer until the gravy thickens. Turn off heat.
Layer the Ingredients and Bake
Now here comes the layering. Transfer the beef mixture to a 7×12 inch baking dish. Any rectangular baking dish that comes close to this size is perfect. Pat the beef in an even layer.
Next, sprinkle the cheese all over the beef.
Next, arrange the tater tots over the cheese in a single layer, making sure the surface is entirely covered. Bake this at 400 F for 50-60 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the tater tots are crisp and golden.
Easy, peasy! I hope you enjoy this simple tater tots casserole. Kids or not, your family will love it!
More Delicious Meals
- Spiced Salmon with Lemon Quinoa
- Italian Sausage White Pizza
- Easy Cheeseburger Sliders
- Instant Pot Korean Beef Rice Bowls
Tater Tots with Gravy Casserole
This Tater Tots with Gravy Casserole turns a humble package of frozen potato puffs into a simple, delicious meal! Definitely kid-friendly and adult approved.
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 3 cups sliced mushrooms
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (750 grams) package tater tots (potato puffs)
Instructions
- Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add the beef and cook until browned, breaking down clumps as needed. Add the garlic and onion and cook until softened. Drain excess fat as needed.
- Add the mushrooms, and cook until softened. In a small bowl, stir together 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and the beef broth until there are no lumps. Add this to the pan.
- Let the mixture come to a simmer. Stir regularly until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat.
- Preheat oven to 400 F. In a 7x12-inch pan or dish ( or something closer), add the beef mixture and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer on top. Bake at 400 F for 50-60 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the tater tots are golden and crispy. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 310Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 688mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 22g
Leave a Reply