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Tater Tot Casserole

A lightened-up version of the classic Tater Tot Casserole, made with a creamy homemade sauce and topped with crispy tater tots.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground beef Can substitute with ground turkey for a lighter option.
  • 3 tbsp butter Reduce to 1 tbsp for a healthier option.
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms Can use pre-sliced to save prep time.
  • 1 medium shallot (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 3 tbsp gluten-free or all-purpose flour Use gluten-free for a gluten-free version.
  • 1.5 cups chicken or beef broth
  • 1 cup milk (use skim) Can substitute with low-fat milk.
  • 2 tbsp gluten-free tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 lb bag tater tots

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven according to the tater tot bag instructions.
  2. In a large, oven-proof skillet (at least 10 inches; cast iron recommended), brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper, then drain and set aside.
Cooking
  1. Reduce the heat to medium and melt butter in the skillet.
  2. Add mushrooms and shallots, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 3-5 minutes until the mushrooms begin to soften.
  3. Add garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
  4. Sprinkle flour into the skillet and whisk to combine. Cook for 1 minute.
  5. Gradually pour in chicken broth and milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
  6. Add tamari/soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika.
  7. Increase the heat slightly to bring the mixture to a bubble, then reduce the heat back to medium and simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  8. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the ground beef.
  9. Arrange tater tots on top of the mixture.
  10. Place the skillet on a baking sheet (or place one on the rack below) and bake according to the tater tot bag instructions.
  11. After baking, allow the dish to sit for 5 minutes to thicken before serving.

Notes

For a healthier option, consider using lean ground turkey and swapping tater tots for baked sweet potato cubes. This dish keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.