We went old school for our turn of ‘friends for dinner’ this week. Growing up in Iowa this dish was called Tater Tot Casserole but here in Minnesota it is a ‘Hot Dish’ so we will go with the locals on this! Kris came up with the idea a couple weeks ago and we could not wait to try this out.
This version is close to the classic but I did change things up a bit to add some flavor. As a kid I remember this dish being somewhat bland so tried to ramp it up a notch. So lets get started. First toss the hamburger and Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. When the fat begins to render add in the peppers and onions. Cook for about 7 minutes then toss in the mushrooms and spices. Cook for another 7-10 minutes, until the meat is done. Toss in the garlic, cook for one minute then add the cream of mushroom soup and peas.
Cook for a few minutes to heat the soup a bit then pour the mixture into a large baking dish. Top the mixture with cheese (pepper jack and cheddar) then add the tots. I arranged mine in nice rows but you can do this however you like!
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes, until the tots are golden brown. Grab a plate and some hot sauce and you are set!! Cheers.
Ingredients:
- ½ lb hamburger
- ½ lb Italian sausage
- ½ sweet onion, diced
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 yellow pepper, diced
- 1 cup fresh mushrooms, chopped
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 glove garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 15 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- Shredded cheese, pepper jack and cheddar
- 2 lbs Ore-Ida frozen tater tots
Directions:
Put burger and sausage in a large skillet over medium high heat. When the fat begins to render, add the peppers and onion. Cook for about 7 minutes. Add in the mushrooms and spices (basil, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper) and cook for another 7-10 minutes, until meat is cooked through. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Pour in the soup and add the peas. Cook for a few minutes, to heat the soup a bit.
Pour mixture into large baking dish, top with the cheese. Arrange the tater tots atop the cheese and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes.