it's what's cookin: Tater Tot Casserole

Why this blog??

Why this blog?? I often find myself stressing over what to make for my family for dinner. We live a busy life and some meals need time to prep, cook and let's not forget shopping for everything you need. I love cookbooks and websites, but there are so many recipe's at times it is overwhelming. The recipe's I will be posting are things I actually made. I will tell you if they are easy or more time consuming. I will also tell you if they are good. Most of these are recipe's I have made for years and continue to make because they are easy or quick and my family loves them and i know yours will too! I will also try to at least once in a whlie try a new recipe I've found on line or in a book and honestly rate it. I always encourage others to send me their favorite recipe's as well! I am a mom... not a chef. But I am a mom who enjoys cooking for her family and making a somewhat healthy meal (some days more healthy than others:) ) In each recipe I will share how I recommend serving it, any substitutions I can think of that are also good, or ways to prepare ahead of time to make the cooking part seem quicker! I am not a photographer, as you can see... most of these pictures are taken from my phone camera, so may not be the best! I love to hear from others who have made these recipes and what they have done to change the recipe... please post comments! Thank you! To "like" me on facebook, go to this link... It's What's Cookin

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Tater Tot Casserole

I know everyone either has this recipe, or at least one that is VERY similar. There are a million ways to make this. It's so easy, a great way to get kids to eat some green veggies, and we really like it. The way I make mine may be wasteful for your family since I use two kinds of soups and use half of each can, instead of using just one can of soup like many do. But I make a lot of casseroles and I save the other halves of the soup and use it later in the week for a different casserole or dinner.

Ingredients:

* 1/2 can Campbell's Cheddar Cheese Soup
* 1/2 can Cream of Mushroom Soup (Or instead of using the cheddar soup you can just use one can of the Mushroom soup. We just like the creamy, cheesy taste of the two combined)
* 1 can French Cut Green Beans
*Tater Tots (I end up using 1/2-3/4 a bag.
*1 lb Ground Beef
*Seasonings (I use Nature Seasonings, a little salt and pepper and a touch of Lawry's)
*Ketchup to serve with

1. Preheat oven to 375. Cook Ground beef in pan till completely done. Season as desired. Mix in the soup(s).
2. In 9x13 pan, spread the meat/soup mixture evenly.
3. Drain green beans and pour green beans over meat.
4. Completely cover top with Tatertots
5. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes (until tater tots are done and browned)

Serve with ketchup. I usually also make my Cheesy Rolls to serve along side of this dish. Makes great left overs as well!