Tater Tot™ Casserole

Introduction & method

Foodie snobs (like me) might not regard this as proper cooking, but when it's the middle of the week, you need to get food on the table in a hurry and don't want a takeaway, this is quick, easy, and deeply satisfying. Tater Tots™ were invented in 1953 by Ore-Ida Corp as a way to use up scraps of spud from making chips etc. They never really made it across the pond, but there are any number of similar things in the freezer cabinets of British supermarkets. Or if you watch the linked video, I actually made my own.

Prep

Heat your oven to 160°C (320°F) fan, 180°C (356°F) conventional, gas 4. Peel, slice and dice your onion. If using frozen veg, place into a bowl and cover with boiling water.

Cook

Heat some oil in a frying pan on medium-low heat and cook the onions for a few minutes - it's OK if they go a bit brown. Add the minced beef and stir it round until it's browned all over. Drain your green beans and add to the pan. Mix in the mushroom soup and any herbs or seasoning you like. Cook for 5 minutes, then transfer to a casserole dish.

Assemble and Bake

Spread the meat sauce out in a casserole dish. Smooth the top and grate a generous coating of cheese over it. Arrange frozen Tater Tots in a single layer - they can be in rows or circles, or whatever takes your fancy. Grate more cheese over the top if you like. Bake until the Tots are cooked (refer to manufacturer's instructions) - probably 30-45 minutes.