Minnesota Comfort Food: Tater Tot Hot Dish

I've was up in Minnesota this weekend.  It's the land of 10,000 lakes, the Mall of America, my awesome family, and Hot Dish.  Hot dish, you might ask.  What the heck is that?  The folks up North refer to certain casseroles as hot dishes.  Yep, we're kind of strange that way.

The king of all hot dishes is the Tater Tot Hot Dish.  (Yes, my sweet Southern friends, tater tots have a place at the table that does not include a Sonic container.)  It features a mix of mushroom soup, ground beef and veggies that is topped with tater tots and baked until golden brown and bubbly.  It certainly is not the healthiest dish on the planet, but it sure tastes good.

Tater Tot Hot Dish

1 lb lean ground beef

1 onion diced
1 package frozen mixed vegetable
2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1 tsp dried mustard

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 package tater tots
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Spray 9x12 baking dish with Pam.  Brown and crumble hamburger and onions in skillet.  Sprinkle with mustard and cook 1 minute.  Add cream of mushroom soup, Worcestershire sauce, and vegetables.  Season with onion powder, salt and pepper. Stir until combined.  Pour into greased 9x12 baking dish.  Sprinkle with cheese. Top evenly with tater tots.  Bake on middle rack of oven uncovered for 45 minutes.