Wednesday 19 March 2014

Shamrocks, and Tater Tot Casserole


We celebrated a birthday in our house on St. Patrick's Day.   


The tradition is that the birthday child, or in this case adult, is allowed to choose their favourite meal for dinner on their birthday.  So we decked out the kitchen in shamrock swag and made Tater Tot Casserole.


Creamy, spicy ground beef, green beans, frozen tater tots, and shredded cheese.  This is simple comfort food, and it was devoured in record time.  The potato topping and GREEN beans made it work as a St. Patrick's Day meal which was an added bonus.


Tater Tot Casserole

1 pound lean ground beef.
1 onion, diced
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tbsp Montreal Steak Spice (if you can't find it, there's a DIY recipe here)
1 can of cream of mushroom soup, OR this Basic White Sauce, if you prefer to avoid canned soups
1 tbsp ketchup
Dash of hot sauce (optional)
1 can of green beans, or fresh steamed green beans
1 bag of  frozen Tater Tots
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400°F.  In a large pan, scramble fry ground beef with onion until the meat is cooked and the onions are soft.  Depending on how lean your ground beef is, you may want to drain some of the fat from the pan.  I usually buy extra lean ground beef and don't bother with draining the fat from the meat.  Add garlic and seasoning, stir and cook for another minute or so.

Stir in the basic white sauce OR cream of mushroom soup, along with the ketchup and hot sauce, if using.  Heat through while stirring occasionally.  Transfer to casserole dish.  If using canned green beans, drain first and pour over meat mixture.  I like to use fresh green beans which I've cut into bite sized pieces and steamed until crisp-tender.

Add a layer of frozen Tater Tots over the green beans, and top with shredded cheese.  Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked and the cheese is melted.


And this was the requested dessert.  Stay tuned.



*Update*

The recipe is up for the Coconut Banana Chia Chocolate Snack Cake




23 comments:

  1. Yum! I need to print that out Jenn - thank you.....

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  2. Holy cow - that looks amazing. Great choice of a birthday meal!

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  3. This looks so good!! I would absolutely love to see this linked up for What We Eat Wednesday! Please come by!!

    Alexis at Laugh. Eat. Learn. &Hearts;

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  4. That tater tot casserole looks great. I love casseroles and make them often. I would love for you to share at Bacon Time linky, if you have not already.

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  5. Goodness does this look delicious!! I will be pinning this one! And a happy birthday to your kiddo!!! Nicole

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  6. I know everyone at my house would love your tater tot casserole. I like that it contains Montreal Steak Spice too!

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  7. I love tater tots and this looks yummy! Checking it out from krafty inspiration Thursday! :-)
    Cathy
    www.threekidsandafish.com

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  8. Happy Spring, Jen!! I know how much we both welcome it :) If it was your birthday, I hope it was HAPPY! This meal looks delicious! I love tater tots, but have never tried anything like this.
    Dawn
    @ A Place for Pictures and Memories

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  9. WOW this looks so family friendly and deeelish!! Thanks for sharing at Paula's Weekend Blog Party :-)

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  10. I have never had a tater tot casserole - and I cannot believe what I missing out on! Looks so delish - and it's easy to make, which is the bonus for me. Since we still seem to have winter, this looks like a good comfy meal to have this weekend.

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  11. Thanks for linking up at The Four Seasons Blog Hop! Sandra from Scrumptilicious 4 You! We would love to have you come back next week!

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  12. I've never tried including green beans in a tater tot casserole, yum! Thanks for sharing on the weekend re-Treat link party!

    Britni @ Play. Party. Pin.

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  13. Green beans in a tater tot casserole sounds yummy!

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  14. My small people LOVE tater tot casserole. And I can't wait to see what the dessert was; it looks like it went quickly.

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  15. I think I need to make some of this - it looks gorgeous. Definitely something I would love. Thank you for linking to PoCoLo x

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  16. Hi Jenn,
    Just love your Tater Tot Casserole, it looks delicious! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  17. Mmmm the family would love this! Comfort food at it's best. Thanks again for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.

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  18. I have all the ingredients for this in the house - my kids would love this! thanks so much for linking it up to The Friday Frenzy - see you again on Friday!

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  19. Looks good. Thanks so much for sharing with Adorned From Above's Link Party.
    Have a great week.
    Debi and Charly

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  20. I've made a tater tot casserole before but not with green beans. Different and I'm sure good. Thank you for stopping by and linking up to our first ever "The Southern Special" hope you'll return.
    Dawn
    Spatulas On Parade

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  21. Time to go shopping for tater tots! Thanks for an amazing recipe, Jenn.

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  22. This will be a delicious casserole, we will love it! Happy St. Patrick’s Day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
    Miz Helen

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