Tater Tot Hot Dish

I’m not sure exactly where this recipe originated, but my mom makes it all the time … likely because there’s not a lot of fuss involved. Regardless, this is a very simple meal with almost all the food groups represented. Before I gave up eating red meat, this was one of my favorite foods. However, not all was lost. One day, I was craving this and decided to try it using ground pork  - and it turned out phenomenal! Note: While this particular recipe calls for an entire bag of tater tots, you will not use them all.

1 - 16-oz bag frozen mixed vegetables
3 cups water
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
1-1/2 tsp. Lawry’s season salt
1 - 10-3/4-oz. can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 soup can of water
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 - 24-oz bag tater tots

Preheat oven to 350°. In a saucepan, boil the mixed vegetables in water for 3-5 minutes. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, in another saucepan, cook the beef with onion until no longer pink. Drain excess grease. Season with Lawry’s. Spread into the bottom of a 8-by-11-1/2-inch baking pan. Spread vegetables evenly over beef. In a small bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup and 1/2 can water. Pour evenly over the vegetables. Top with shredded cheese. Cover evenly with tater tots. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until tots are golden brown.