I live in North Dakota so hot dishes, aka casseroles, are common. They are quick, easy, generally inexpensive, and usually appeal to kids and adults. What casseroles are not, is very healthy. Hot dishes usually rely heavily on cream of crud soups and salty seasonings packets.
Tatertot hotdish will never be a completely healthy food but we can make it healthier by making our own cream sauce instead of using cream of crud soup. I love to use Cabot extra sharp Vermont cheddar cheese in this recipe but you can use any flavorful cheese you like.
Debby's Tatertot Hotdish
Ingredients
½ lb ground beef
½ cup frozen mixed vegetables
3 TBS butter
3 TBS flour
½ cup milk
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup cheddar cheese
¼ cup finely chopped onion
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink; drain and set aside. Turn the heat to low and melt the butter. Add the flour to the butter, whisk and cook 3 minutes. Gradually, add the milk and broth. Add the onion. Whisk the broth mixture constantly until it starts to thicken. Add the cheese and whisk until melted. Stir in the ground beef and vegetables. Transfer the mixture to a 3 cup baking dish and top with the tater tots. Bake for 40 minutes.
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