Mini Tater Tot Hotdish Comfort Food for Two

Recipe Introduction: Your Cozy Night In Starts Here!

Ever crave something ridiculously comforting, but don't want leftovers for days? I feel you. That's where this small batch tater tot casserole comes in. It's pure comfort, perfectly portioned.

Quick Hook

Think of this as tater tot hotdish for two . It’s the ultimate cozy meal. This recipe hits all the right spots. It's cheesy, savory, and oh-so-easy!

Brief Overview

This mini tater tot casserole is a downsized version of a Midwestern comfort food staple. It's a simple recipe for two.

Takes about 50 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for a weeknight casserole when you need a hug in a dish.

Main Benefits

This easy casserole recipe is packed with protein. A great way to satisfy your comfort food cravings without tons of leftovers.

Perfect for a chilly evening or a lazy Sunday. I love how this cheesy tater tot casserole feels like a warm hug.

What Makes This Small Batch Tater Tot Casserole So Special?

Honestly, it's the perfect size! I hate having mountains of food leftover. Plus, it's so adaptable. You can totally change it up.

Ground Beef Tater Tot Casserole: A Classic Reimagined

We're talking seasoned ground beef. Creamy mushroom sauce. Topped with cheddar and crispy tots. It's basically comfort food for two in a baking dish.

Ingredients You'll Need

Here’s what you need for your mini tater tot hotdish for two :

• 8 ounces lean ground beef
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ½ cup beef broth
• ½ cup milk (2% or whole)
• 4 ounces condensed cream of mushroom soup (undiluted)
• ¼ cup frozen peas and carrots (optional)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup frozen tater tots

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need for this easy casserole recipe ! We're making a small batch tater tot casserole , perfect for when you crave some serious comfort food for two .

No need to feed an army, just you and your bestie (or you and leftovers!).

Ingredients & Equipment

Main Ingredients for Your Mini Masterpiece

Okay, let's get specific. For the beefy, creamy base of our tater tot hotdish for two , you'll need:

• Ground Beef: 8 ounces (225g) of lean ground beef. Honestly, splurge a little! Better beef equals better flavor. Look for a bright red color and a firm texture.
• Onion Powder: ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) . This adds a subtle but essential savory note.
• Garlic Powder: ½ teaspoon (2.5ml) . Because everything's better with garlic, right?
• Salt: ¼ teaspoon (1.25ml) . Adjust to taste, of course.
• Black Pepper: ⅛ teaspoon (0.625ml) . Freshly ground is always best, but pre-ground is fine too.
• All-Purpose Flour: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . This helps thicken the sauce.
• Beef Broth: ½ cup (120ml) . Adds depth of flavor. Low sodium is a good choice so you can control the salt.
• Milk: ½ cup (120ml) . 2% or whole milk works best.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: 4 ounces (115g) . This is the classic ingredient.
• Peas and Carrots: ¼ cup (30g) . Optional but adds a bit of color and veg.
• Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup (115g) shredded. A good sharp cheddar makes all the difference in this cheesy tater tot casserole !
• Tater Tots: 1 cup or about 15-20 frozen tater tots. The stars of the show!

Seasoning Notes: Get That Flavor POP!

Seriously, don't skimp on seasoning! It makes or breaks a good ground beef tater tot casserole .

• Essential Spice Combo: Onion and garlic powder are non-negotiable, but feel free to add a pinch of paprika or a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth.
• Flavor Enhancers: A tiny bit of dried thyme can elevate the flavor.
• Quick Sub: Don't have onion powder? A teaspoon of finely chopped onion will do in a pinch.

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

We're aiming for easy casserole recipe , so no fancy equipment needed!

• Baking Dish: An 8x8 inch baking dish is perfect.
• Skillet: You'll need a large skillet to brown the beef.
• Mixing Spoon: For stirring everything together.
• Household Alternatives: Don't have an 8x8 dish? A similar sized casserole dish will work just fine.

This mini tater tot casserole is really all about embracing those Midwestern comfort food vibes. And trust me, it hits the spot every time! We are making a perfect weeknight casserole !!

Mini Tater Tot Hotdish: Comfort Food Just For Us

Honestly, sometimes you just need some good old comfort food for two . Forget fancy restaurants, think snuggle-on-the-sofa vibes. That's where this mini tater tot casserole comes in.

It’s a scaled down hug in a dish. This easy casserole recipe is inspired by the Midwestern comfort food classic. This recipe lets you enjoy that warm, fuzzy feeling without leftovers for days.

Perfect, right? So ditch that takeout menu and let's get cooking!

Prep Steps: Getting Our Ducks In A Row

First things first, let's get our "mise en place" sorted. Basically, let's get everything chopped, measured, and ready to go.

This weeknight casserole comes together super quick. Getting organised will save a lot of time. We're talking lean ground beef, onion and garlic powder, beef broth, and those star of the show…tater tots! Oh, and don't forget the cheese.

You can measure everything out right away. For safety, keep raw beef away from other ingredients. Wash your hands often! You know the drill.

step-by-step: Tot-ally Easy Instructions

Alright, here's how to make this ground beef tater tot casserole happen.

1. Preheat to 375° F ( 190° C). Get that oven nice and toasty!
2. Brown the Beef: Brown 8 ounces of ground beef in a skillet. Drain off the grease, seriously, no one wants a greasy casserole. Then, add ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper.
3. Make the Sauce: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of flour over the beef. Cook for 1 minute . Then, whisk in ½ cup beef broth and ½ cup milk. Stir in 4 ounces of condensed cream of mushroom soup and ¼ cup of frozen peas and carrots (if using). Cook for 5 minutes until it thickens.
4. Layer it Up: Pour the beef mixture into your 8x8 inch baking dish. Now for the good stuff, sprinkle 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top.
5. Tot Time: Arrange 1 cup (about 15-20) of frozen tater tots in a single layer on top.
6. Bake for 30 minutes. Bake until the tots are golden brown and crispy.

Pro Tips: Secrets to Casserole Success

Want to up your game? For extra crispy tots, don't overcrowd the pan. Give them space to breathe. Also, try putting the cheese under the tots.

It creates a lovely, gooey base. Also, this cheesy tater tot casserole is all about good seasoning. Taste the beef mixture before assembling and adjust as needed.

Watch the oven like a hawk, you don't want burned tots. If you're making this in advance, just prep the beef mixture and store it in the fridge.

Add the tots and cheese right before baking.

Remember, that this small batch tater tot casserole recipe is a flexible base. Feel free to play around with different tater tot casserole variations , like adding a little kick or swapping out the veggies.

Enjoy.

Recipe Notes for Your Mini Masterpiece

Right, so you're about to whip up this totally awesome small batch tater tot casserole , aren't you? Brilliant! Before you dive in, let's chew over a few extra bits to make sure your tater tot hotdish for two is an absolute triumph.

Think of these as little secrets... like the time I accidentally used cinnamon instead of chili powder. Disaster! Learn from my mistakes.

Serving Suggestions: Make it Look the Business!

Okay, presentation time. For plating, picture this: A spoonful of your cheesy, beefy, easy casserole recipe served in a cute little bowl.

Sprinkle a few chopped chives on top for a pop of color. Feeling fancy? Garnish with a cheeky sprig of parsley.

As for sides, a crisp green salad cuts through the richness. Or maybe some steamed green beans for a bit of veg.

Wash it down with a proper cup of tea (obviously!) or a nice, cold beer. Comfort food heaven.

Storage Tips: Keep it Fresh!

Pop any leftovers of your comfort food for two into an airtight container and whack it in the fridge. It'll be good for three days .

To reheat, microwave it until piping hot.

Freezing? Yep, you can! But the tater tots might get a bit soggy. Still tastes banging though. To reheat from frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.

Then, bake it in the oven until heated through. A weeknight casserole hero, sorted.

Tater Tot Casserole Variations: Remix it Up!

Want to jazz things up? For a tater tot casserole variations , chuck in some jalapenos for a spicy kick. Or try using sweet potato tots instead. Mind. Blown.

Need a dietary adaptation? Go veggie. Swap the ground beef for lentils. Use gluten-free flour and cream of mushroom soup for a gluten-free version. Easy peasy.

Nutrition Basics: What's the Deal?

Alright, so this cheesy tater tot casserole isn't exactly a health food. But hey, it's Midwestern comfort food ! It does pack in some protein from the ground beef and a few vitamins from the peas and carrots.

Just remember, everything in moderation, even ground beef tater tot casserole . Each serving has roughly 550-650 calories.

So there you have it. A perfect guide to nail this small batch tater tot casserole . Now go on, get cooking. You've got this!