You forgot the green bean!

Jay from the UK,
Why are we using canned and frozen food so much, you ask? You obviously aren't familiar with the American culture. If you spent a winter in the midwestern United States you might understand. If you're looking for healthy and fresh I wouldn't suggest Tater Tot Casserole, though. You don't have to eat it... but it works for us.

True that loves me some potater-dish hotdish! Good stuff!

I've made several variations of the TT casserole. If I use shredded or diced potatoes, I call them funeral potatoes. I fry the potatoes as hashbrowns for color and crispiness, then add the soups and cheese. Pour in a baking dish, bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Top with the crushed corn flakes/butter on top in the last 10 minutes or so. They are a common side dish to bring for the family after a funeral. They're so good, everyone in these parts are dying to try them. The TT casserole gets .5-1.0 lb of whatever meat is available. Sausage/burger mixed is popular in my house. I'm not a fan of onions or bell peppers so I cook them in the ground beef so they're not crunchy. I do like the flavor, just not the crunch! Don't pour the soup mix over the tots if you want them more crunchy. Mix the cheese with the soup layer under the tots. Enjoy!

I absolutely loved this recipe! I added ground beef to mine and used cream of chicken soup. and any recipe that has a comment war going on must be tried! hahaha

I have made this for many years with and without meat. I've tried it all different ways. With and without veges. But I have to say I have found a couple of new ways! Thanks all for all the laughs. I laughed till I cried at some of these postings. I will never look at another Tator Tot without laughing... LOL

OMG!!! This was amazing. Super easy and my kids devoured it!!! I didn't, nor wouldn't, change a single thing.

OMG!!! This was amazing. Super easy and my kids devoured it!!! I didn't, nor wouldn't, change a single thing.

Do the tots get crispy in this recipe? It seems like they wouldn't. I don't expect them to be as crispy as if you were eating them plain, but I want a little crunch. Most tater tot casserole recipes are your standard meat on bottom, soup mixture over that, tater tots over that, then topped with some shredded cheese - that way the tots are more "exposed" when baking and have a chance to crisp up a bit. In this recipe, the tots are drenched with the soup mixture. I guess the French-fried onions are there to add the crunchiness and I shouldn't worry about the tots being soggy.

Throw in some bacon crumbles while browning the beef. Mmmmm!

Tater Tots are an anomaly. The true tater tot casserole should be made with instant mashed potatoes and a package of shredded potatoes. Prepare as directed, refridge until firm. With a tablespoon, scoop instants potatoes and form into balls, roll in flour, coat with shredded potatoes. These are Tater TOMS and makes for a delicious and healthy substitute.

Sorry folks, I make the best tater tot casserole! Start with cooked hamburger in a 9x13, cooked with onion. Add 2 cans of veggie of your choice, layered of course. Add 2 cans cream of mushroom soup, then 2 cans chicken noodle soup / add spices, then tons of tater tots, then grated cheese over all. Bake about 40 minutes on 350°F. The best you will ever try!

I am making this tomorrow night. But my Mawmaw used to make this for me as a kid and she used taters straight out of the garden and cut them up so either way is good. and Eric didnt you ever hear of making things better with time?????

I have not even had a chance to make this yet and now supper is late because I am too busy reading all these comments. (2 years of discussion about TT) that is awesome. Now to make dinner!

We liked it but just a bit too much sour cream taste (which I love) but didn't even taste the soup or much of the cheese. Will definitely make it again though. Reading the comments were much more fun than making the casserole. What a group! LOL