This turkey tater tot hot dish is the epitome of upper-Midwest comfort cuisine, where a casserole is referred to as a “hot dish” instead of a casserole. This is simply enticing due to the contrast between the crispy, cheesy tater tot top and the savory, juicy, meaty turkey on the bottom.
Easy to prepare and ideal for a nice dinner, Turkey Tater Tot Hot Dish is a hearty one-dish meal. It is roasted to golden perfection and consists of ground turkey, veggies, a creamy sauce, and a crispy layer of tater tots on top. This dish uses lean turkey and is a lighter take on the classic tater tot casserole.
Ingredients:
Here is the list of ingredients:
- Two teaspoons of butter
- Two teaspoons of the olive oil
- Three cups of brown mushrooms, sliced
- Salt, two teaspoons, or to taste
- One cup of finely chopped onions
- Two pounds of turkey ground
- One-half teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- A quarter teaspoon of powdered garlic
- One pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup of flour for all purposes
- One 4-oz can of chopped green chilies
- One red bell pepper, chopped and seeded
- Two and a half cups of chicken stock
- Half a pound of shredded Cheddar cheese
- One bag of frozen tater tots (32 ounces)
Directions
Here is the step by step guide on how to make Turkey Tater Tot Hot Dish:
- Preheat the oven to 230 degrees Celsius, or 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add the olive oil and butter to a large skillet over high heat. Add the mushrooms and a generous amount of salt. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Add the onions and cook for approximately three minutes, or until the onions become transparent. Cook the turkey for a few minutes, breaking up the meat into smaller crumbs.
- Add the remaining cayenne pepper, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Lower the heat to medium-high and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the turkey is crumbled and lightly browned and the liquid has mostly evaporated.
- Sprinkle on the flour and stir; simmer for another 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, to eliminate the flour’s raw flavor. Add the bell pepper, chicken broth, and green chilies and stir. Allow the mixture to simmer for around two minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquids thicken and the texture to your preference.
- If necessary, adjust the seasoning by tasting it. Spoon into a 9 x 12 x 13-inch casserole dish or a similar size, and level the top. Spread 4 ounces of shredded cheese over the top, using the tip of a spatula to gently press the cheese in.
- Evenly cover the casserole surface with one layer of frozen or thawed tater tots. You can save any leftover tots for another time.
- Bake the tater tots for 30 to 35 minutes in a preheated oven, or until they are golden and crisp.
- Take the dish out of the oven, cover the tater tots with shredded cheese (and Parmesan, if using), and put it back in the oven for another five to seven minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and melted.
- Before serving, allow the heated dish to cool for a few minutes.
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