A Minnesota staple, Tater Tot Hotdish includes ground beef, green beans and creamy soup that is topped with tots! It’s a gluten-free, one-dish wonder that can be made and baked in a cast iron skillet so you only have to use one dish.
Unlike most Minnesotans, I discovered Tater Tot Hotdish later in life. It wasn’t until after I was married with kids that I began to truly appreciate it for what it is—a quick and easy supper that packs an entire meal (complete with protein and vegetables!) into one delicious dish.
There is also something to say about a meal that my whole family will eat without complaint. Well, except for one problem. With two in our posse who are lactose intolerant, I had to find an alternative to the can of condensed soup that is a key ingredient in any good hotdish.
After testing several versions through the years, our favorite version replaces condensed soup with Healthy Homemade Condensed Soup Mix from So Happy You Liked It. (I make this recipe with oat milk and gluten-free flour!)
A couple of other tips for great Tater Tot Hotdish:
- No one likes soggy tots. To ensure maximum crispiness, I top my hotdish with Ore-Ida Golden Crispy Crowns instead of regular tater tots. Also, did you know that Ore-Ida Tater Tots are gluten free?
- You can never have too many tots. (Have you seen Napoleon Dynamite?!) A whole bag is more than you need to top the hotdish, but I suggest you throw the extras on a cookie sheet and make those tots!! You won’t be sorry.
- While you could use canned or frozen green beans, or another vegetable variety, I use those bags of green beans that you heat in the microwave. I like to cook the green beans first and cut them into 1/2 inch pieces. Super easy.
Even though Tater Tot Hotdish may get way too much attention here in Minnesota, it’s truly a dish that we eat on the regular in my house. We love it—even my dairy-free and gluten-free family members. No complaints!
