Skillet Taco Tot Hot Dish
A hot dish (or a casserole to the non-Midwestern folk) is a scrumptious, hearty, comforting concoction that involves potato tots and lots of cheese! This version uses corn, beans, and homemade taco seasoning (starring Member’s Mark™ Organic Cumin) for south-of-the-border flavor – it will warm you up on a freezing cold night!
The Dish on Hot Dishes
A hot dish is a Midwestern-style casserole, most famously associated with Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.
What defines a hot dish?
It’s a one-pan, baked meal that usually includes:
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Protein (ground beef, turkey, or chicken)
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Starch (potatoes, tater tots, rice, or pasta)
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Vegetables (often canned or frozen—corn, green beans, peas)
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Creamy binder (typically cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup)
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Crunchy topping (very often tater tots, but sometimes cheese or breadcrumbs)
Everything is mixed or layered and baked until hot and bubbly—hence the name.
The most famous example
Tater Tot Hot Dish
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Ground beef
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Cream of mushroom soup
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Corn or green beans
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Topped with tater tots
This version is practically iconic in Minnesota culture.
How it’s different from a regular casserole
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The term “hot dish” is regional—outside the Midwest, people usually just say casserole.
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Hot dishes are typically simple, budget-friendly, and meant to feed a crowd.
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They’re common at potlucks, church dinners, family gatherings, and winter meals.
Why people love it
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Comforting and filling
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Easy to make ahead
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Customizable with whatever you have on hand
Do Hot Dishes Always Use Potato Tots?
Tater tots are just the most famous version.
Common hot dish bases (besides tater tots)
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Potatoes – sliced, diced, mashed, or hash browns
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Rice – white, brown, or wild rice (very common in Minnesota)
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Pasta – macaroni, egg noodles, or rotini
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Biscuits or stuffing – less traditional, but still considered hot dish
Toppings that aren’t tater tots
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Shredded or sliced cheese
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Breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
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French fried onions
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Sliced or scalloped potatoes
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No topping at all—just baked until bubbly
Very traditional (no tots!)
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Wild rice hot dish (often with chicken and cream of mushroom soup)
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Hamburger hot dish with macaroni
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Chicken and stuffing hot dish
Why tater tots get the spotlight
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They add crunch without extra prep
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They’re freezer-friendly and nostalgic
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One iconic recipe made them famous
So while tater tot hot dish is iconic, lots of true hot dishes never involve tots at all. If you want, tell me what ingredients you have and I’ll suggest a hot dish that fits.
Skillet Taco Tot Hot Dish
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs Ground beef
- 1 tsp Member's Mark™ Sea Salt
- 2 cups Chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Member's Mark™ Minced Onion
- 2 tsp Member's Mark™ Chili Powder
- 2 tsp Member's Mark™ Organic Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp Member's Mark™ Organic Granulated Garlic
- ½ tsp Member's Mark™ Spanish Style Paprika
- 1 (15 oz) can Black beans with liquid
- 1 (11 oz) can Mexican style corn drained
- 2 cups Mexican style shredded cheese divided
- 6 cups Frozen potato tots partially thawed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425℉. In a large skillet, brown ground beef and Member's Mark™ Sea Salt. Drain.
- Stir in tomatoes, Member's Mark™ Minced Onion, Member's Mark™ Chili Powder, Member's Mark™ Organic Ground Cumin, Member's Mark™ Organic Granulated Garlic, and Member's Mark™ Spanish Style Paprika. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes, or until tomatoes break down.
- Stir in beans (with their liquid) and corn; cook 2 minutes until heated through. Stir in 1 cup cheese. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the beef mixture. Arrange the tots over the cheese. Bake 15 minutes until bubbling and tots are crisp.