Deeply ingrained in Midwest culture is something fantastic, beloved and covered in Tater Tots. Here's to the hot dish and all the reasons we love it.
Photo: Shutterstock / Andrea Skjold Mink
It was a staple on Midwest tables during a certain era, and many would argue it still holds a permanent spot at family get-togethers and church basem*nt lunches today. The 13×9 pan is unmistakable—its signature topping of crisp Tater Tots and enough shredded cheddar cheese to fill one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes hides whatever is beneath like the mystery that it’s meant to be.
It’s hot dish (aka hotdish), and no, it’s not the same as a casserole. I mean, it’s pretty close. It’s like the twin sister, but they dress really differently.
A hot dish history
First off, if you’re from the Midwest, or not, and have never heard of hot dish, you’re not alone. The term hot dish is typically utilized in the upper parts of Minnesota and North Dakota because people up there like to coin their own verbiage, much like “uff da” or “you betcha.” You probably called it a casserole, like this one, and, not to sound like a hot dish snob, but the parameters of hot dish are a bit more limited than its mainstream counterpart. Whereas one can have something fancy like a tuna noodle casserole or a green bean casserole, these are not hot dishes. Hot dishes are not a type of food—the are the food. You don’t need to specify what’s inside it; you just need to trust.
I speak from experience, growing up in Wisconsin and spending a lot of time on my grandparent’s farm in northern Minnesota. My memories of being served hot dish as a kid at my grandparent’s dining room table revolve around gooey cheese—the best part, without question—and then typically avoiding the peas and carrots mix found underneath it because vegetables are kryptonite to kids (though you can disguise them pretty well in these recipes!). I never asked what the meat was. It was most likely one of the animals that I had at some point given a name to out in the fields.
My dad says my grandma served him hot dish several times a week growing up. He remembers it mostly consisting of ground beef, onions, potatoes, cream of mushroom soup and a bag of mixed frozen vegetables. “Sometimes it was made with chicken, or at least it looked like chicken. Sometimes I couldn’t tell what all the ingredients were in hot dish. But it always seemed to taste fine.”
Ah, the marker of stellar cuisine—it tasted fine. Must be why it’s survived so many generations.
Around 1953, the world was given the gift of Tater Tots. My dad would have been four. It probably took a while for them to hit the small-town grocery stores, but when they did, my dad says, “It was a real treat” to have them top the hot dish. Ah, the simpler times.
In today’s more organic/paleo/Whole30/almond milk world, hot dish is not as prevalent on dinner tables as it once was. But people love nostalgia, and even if we’re not buying cream soups in bulk anymore, there is still a special place in many of our hearts for this beloved meal. Case in point: restaurants like The Boiler Room in Fargo, N.D., and The Mason Jar in Eagan, Minn., tempt die-hards with a genuine Tater Tot hot dish on their menus. A store called I Like You in Minneapolis even encourages you to pledge your love for the creamy Tot dinner with a knit hat that reads, what else, “HOTDISH.”
Hot takes on hot dish
I decided to poll the Midwest masses to see what hot dish memories were imprinted in their childhoods and, I’m not going to lie, I sort of want to nix the grilled salmon tonight and dig into something covered in processed nuggets of shredded potatoes.
“When I was young, I was in charge of making dinner for dad and my siblings. My go-to hot dish was macaroni or rice hot dish, both were made with hamburger, corn or green beans and had cheese on top. My secret ingredient was a good squeeze of ketchup. And by the way, all hot dishes were served with bread and butter!” —Cheryl M.
“My mom could turn any leftovers in the fridge into a hot dish. She sometimes even got really fancy and would crush potato chips to go on top.” —Alicia A.
“My best memories of hot dish are that it usually contained whatever was easy and available in the fridge/freezer—usually hamburger, some sort of sauce, onions and a veggie, like frozen peas, beans or a good mix—and was ALWAYS topped with Tater Tots.” —Sara S.
“The only people I know who call it ‘hot dish’ are from Minnesota. In Ohio, we just called them casseroles.” —Deb W., not yet a hot dish convert
“When we made hot dish as a kid it was beef, cream of mushroom soup, green beans and Tater Tots on top, served with ketchup. Fast forward to meeting my husband, he did corn instead of green beans and his mom would put cheese on it. Fast forward to today, I do both veggies and half with cheese and half without!” —Kristen L.
“I still make it with leftovers in my house! I love it. I throw in things I find in my fridge or pantry that need to get used up, like ground hamburger with French onion soup mix. Layer it with carrots, potatoes, add cream of chicken soup and cheese and bake. My mom made them twice a week growing up.” —Katelyn M.
My mother-in-law made the best hot dish after Thanksgiving. She would cut up the leftover turkey, add a can of cream of chicken soup and mixed vegetables and after heating that up in the oven, she’d add three tablespoons of Miracle Whip and blend it all together. So very delicious and memorable.” —Susie D.
With all this in mind, I hope you’re inspired to toss together your own hot dish tonight—whether your’re in the Midwest or not. This recipe is a great template!
Craving those taters? Check out these tot recipes!
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Taste of Home
Chicken Tater BakeYou'll please everyone in the family with this inviting and filling frozen Tater Tots recipe. It tastes like a chicken potpie topped with Tater Tots. —Fran Allen, St Louis, MissouriGo to Recipe
Tater Tot Casseroles Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Tater Tot CasserolesGround beef, sausage and cheese make this frozen Tater Tot casserole with green beans a crowd-pleaser. Cayenne pepper and hot Italian sausage give it a pleasant kick. —Ryan Jones, Chillicothe, Illinois
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Nacho TotsThis is an easy, versatile party appetizer that everyone loves. If you can't find chorizo, ground beef or ground chicken are wonderful, too. Top this recipe using frozen Tater Tots with anything you like! —Connie Krupp, Racine, Wisconsin
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NANCY MOCK FOR TASTE OF HOME
Pioneer Woman's Tater Tot CasseroleThis Ree Drummond's cheesy version of a frozen Tater Tots casserole will feed the whole family. Filled with breakfast sausage, bell peppers, cheddar and jack cheese, onions and plenty of seasonings, this dish will leave everyone with a satisfied stomach. —Taste of Home Test KitchenGo to Recipe
Tater-Topped Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Tater-Topped CasseroleI grew up enjoying this recipe using frozen Tater Tots. My mother always saw smiles around the table whenever she served it!—Victoria Mitchell, Salem, Virginia
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Pizza Tater Tot Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Pizza Tater Tot CasseroleFor a spin on a classic frozen Tater Tots recipe, try this easy casserole. For a fun twist, just add your family’s favorite pizza toppings! —Sharon Skildum, Maple Grove, Minnesota
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Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Jalapeno Popper Chicken CasseroleThis Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole is super comforting. It's rich and cheesy, and it has just a bit of heat from the jalapenos. It's a perfect recipe using frozen Tater Tots. —Kerry Whitaker, Carthage, Texas
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TMB STUDIO
Air-Fryer Tater TotsTossing frozen Tater Tots in the air-fryer will leave you with a crispy side dish you won't be able to keep your hands off. Depending on the type of air-fryer you have, you'll have these crunchy treats ready in 5-7 minutes. Pair them with your favorite hot dogs or load them up for tot nachos. —Taste of HomeTest KitchenGo to Recipe
Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Slow-Cooker Tater Tot CasseroleWhat's not to love about classic Tater Tot casserole—especially when it's made in the slow cooker? You'll want to add this family-pleasing frozen Tater Tots recipe to your regular rotation. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
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Makeover Tater-Topped CasseroleI love Tater Tot casserole, but wanted a lighter version of the recipe. The Taste of Home Test Kitchen slashed the fat in this classic dish, while keeping all the tots my family loves. Who know you could have healthy Tater Tots?! —Scott Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
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TMB STUDIO
Homemade Tater TotsGive your favorite frozen potato snack a fresh taste by making Tater Tots from scratch. Simply fry some russet potatoes in oil, place them in the food processor with seasonings to your liking, shape them into a tot form and then bake! —Taste of Home Test KitchenGo to Recipe
Air-Fryer Cowboy CasseroleWhen it starts to get cold, I love to make this quick and creamy Tater Tot bake. It's a delightful homey dinner that's easy to put together. I make it ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator. Then I just pop it into the air fryer when I get home. —Donna Donhauser, Remsen, New York
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TMB STUDIO
Minnesota Hot DishThis casserole or, as Minnesotans like to call it, hot dish uses ground beef, mushroom soup, frozen Tater Tots and cheese for its charming taste. It's a must-try Midwestern recipe that's simple, easy and filling. —Taste of HomeTest KitchenGo to Recipe
TMB STUDIO
Cheeseburger Tater Tot CasseroleIf you like placing your french fries on your cheeseburger, this recipe using frozen Tater Tots will give you that same satisfaction in casserole form. Calling for less than ten ingredients, this crowd-pleasing meal will be ready on the table in no time. —Taste of HomeTest KitchenGo to Recipe
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot CasseroleThis recipe using frozen Tater Tots is an easy dinner for both you and the kids. Serve with carrot and celery sticks for a fuss-free feast. You can also stir in some spicy brown mustard if the adults want more zing. —Laura Wilhelm, West Hollywood, California
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Tater Taco Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Tater Taco CasseroleOur family lives and works on a ranch. I like to fix this nicely seasoned taco Tater Tot casserole ahead of time and freeze it for later use. It's good with a tossed salad or nacho chips and dip. —Ronna Lewis, Plains, Kansas
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Taste of Home
Tater Tot Breakfast CasseroleI keep frozen spuds on hand for meals like this Tater Tot breakfast casserole. It’s a super brunch, breakfast or side dish for kids of all ages. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Loaded Tater TotsPlaying with food is loads of fun when you have loaded Tater Tots. Let kids build their own for smiles all around. —Eleanor Mielke, Mitchell, South Dakota. If you're looking for more casserole recipes, try our favorite Tater Tot hot dish.
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If you're looking for more casserole recipes, try our favorite Tater Tot hot dish.
The entire family will enjoy this heartwarming, all-in-one dinner recipe using frozen Tater Tots. Plus, it offers easy cleanup! —Mike Tchou, Pepper Pike, Ohio
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Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Bacon-Wrapped Tater TotsIndulge in just one of these bacon-wrapped Tater Tots and you’ll taste why they’re a hit with kids of all ages. They’ll go fast, so you may want to double the recipe! —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
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Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot BakeThis bacon cheeseburger Tater Tot casserole is the perfect dish to bribe your kids; homework, chores, piano practice—consider them done! —Deanna Zewen, Union Grove, Wisconsin
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