So you call it a casserole? Everyone knows that in Minnesota, we call it hot dish. Here's how to make this specialty hot dish at home—wherever you are.
How to Make Minnesota Hot Dish
Updated on Oct. 04, 2024
Minnesota hot dish: It’s hot and creamy with a hint of crunch. If you live in St. Louis or Cedar Rapids, you probably call it a casserole. But Minnesotans give it the most straightforward of names. Who needs a word derived from Middle French to describe a mixture of canned and frozen ingredients baked until bubbly?
Whatever you call it—and whether you bake it in glass, ceramic or enameled cast iron—let’s all agree that it’s simple, filling and easy on the budget. Here’s how to make this delicious hot dish at home.
What is a hot dish?
You’ll surely want potholders to slide it out of the oven. Beyond that, there’s a lot of room for creativity.
Classic versions often use ground beef, corn, cream of mushroom, Tater Tots and cheddar cheese. But you can swap the beef for another protein, like sausage, chicken or tuna. Peas, carrots and tomatoes can replace or accompany the corn. The filling can have macaroni or spaghetti.
Any cheese that melts well will do—how about pepper jack or fontina? And you can get your crunchy topping from fried bacon, onion rings, corn flakes or potato chips.
Western Wisconsinites have been known to call a casserole a hot dish, too. We’re sure it’s delicious with smoked brats and squeaky cheese curds.
Check out more must-try recipes from Minnesota to get your fill of Upper Midwest cuisine.
How to Make a Hot Dish
To make hot dish, you’ll need three key ingredients: meat, canned soup and a starch. Some Minnesotans will insist it’s only a hot dish if it’s topped with frozen Tater Tots, but others allow rice or noodles to fill in. The exact combo is up to you. We’ll walk you through how to make this easy, classic Tater Tot casserole recipe.
Ingredients
- 3/4 to 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 small onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2/3 cup 2% milk
- 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
- 1 package (16 ounces) frozen Tater Tots
- 1 cup shredded or freshly grated cheese (Our Test Kitchen likes a sharp cheddar with this recipe, but Swiss, Colby or jack would also be good.)
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Step 2: Cook the meat
Break out your Dutch oven or a large skillet—cast iron works great here. Heat it over medium heat, then add the ground meat and onion. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the meat and onions are golden brown. Drain any excess grease.
Editor’s Tip: You can add more seasonings at this stage if you like. Garlic powder, thyme or cayenne would work well.
Step 3: Fill your baking dish
Transfer the cooked ground meat and onion mixture to a greased, two-quart baking dish—preferably a shallow one—and spread in an even layer. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and condensed soup, then pour it over the meat and onion mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and top with frozen Tater Tots. Next, learn how to make a Tater Tot hot dish.
Step 4: Bake and serve
All that’s left is to pop this dish into the oven and bake it uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes or until the tots are toasty.
Serve it with a quick side salad and some homemade rolls and you’ve got dinner. If you really want a full Midwestern experience, try these Midwestern desserts right from the heartland. They’re just the way to finish off this meal!
Minnesota Hot Dish FAQs
How do I store hot dish leftovers?
Once the dish has cooled, cover it and pop it into the fridge. You can safely refrigerate the leftovers for three to four days.
Can I freeze a hot dish?
Yep. We have great instructions for freezing any casserole. You can freeze this one after assembling, but before baking. (In other words, don’t freeze it before you cook the meat and onions.) We recommend keeping the Tater Tots separate so they don’t get soggy.
You can also freeze the leftovers. Transfer them to the smallest freezer-safe container they’ll fit in to minimize ice crystal formation and freezer burn. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake in a 350º oven until the internal temperature reaches a safe 165º. However you freeze it, eat it within two to three months.
Whatever you do, don’t stick the actual hot casserole dish into your freezer. At best, it will raise your freezer temperature; at worst, the dish will shatter.
How can I make this hot dish my own?
One way is to make it vegetarian or vegan. Use plant-based meat substitutes and dairy-free condensed cream of mushroom soup.
Another way is to change up the mix-ins. Do you have marinated, grilled artichokes on hand? How about roasted red peppers or frozen spinach? A soft goat’s milk or sheep’s milk cheese would also be interesting.
Think about condiments, too: Try adding a splash or two of Worcestershire sauce to the meat or squirting sriracha atop the tots before digging in.
Find More Hot Dish Recipes from the Midwest
I like to make this cheesy Tater Tot hot dish when time before supper is short. It serves two to three people, but if we have unexpected company I double the ingredients and use a 9-in. x 13-in. pan. I call it my "Please Stay Casserole"! —Jean Ferguson, Elverta, California.
Here's everything you need to know about Minnesota hot dishes.
Tater Tot CasseroleThanks to a few ingredients and easy prep, this cheese-smothered Tater Tot casserole will be a recurring star at your dinner table.
Beef & Tater BakeThe entire family will enjoy this heartwarming, all-in-one dinner. Plus, it offers easy cleanup! —Mike Tchou, Pepper Pike, Ohio
Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Hot DishWhat'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 potluck favorite to your regular rotation. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Skip turning on your oven and learn how to make air-fryer tater tots.
Chicken Crouton CasseroleThis chicken crouton hot dish has practically made my mom famous. When she takes it to get-togethers, it's loved by all who taste it. Whenever she serves it to family, the dish is empty by the end of the meal. —Beth Gramling, Warren, Pennsylvania
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 hot dish, while keeping all the Tots my family loves. Who know you could have healthy Tater Tots?! —Scott Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
Looking for more? Try our favorite Tater Tot hot dish.
Italian Hot DishMy husband had a poor perception of healthy food until he tried this beefy casserole. The combination of pasta, oregano, mushrooms and green peppers makes it a favorite healthy pasta recipe in our house. —Theresa Smith, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Breakfast Hot DishI 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
Tater Taco CasseroleOur family lives and works on a ranch. I like to fix this nicely seasoned taco Tater Tot hot dish 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
Mother’s Ham Hot DishOne of my mother's favorite dishes, this ham casserole recipe always brings back fond memories of her when I prepare it. It's a terrific use of leftover ham from a holiday dinner. Our five grandchildren are my favorite interest outside the kitchen! —Linda Childers, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Meat-and-Potato CasseroleFor variety, you can use another kind of cream soup (cream of mushroom, for instance). But try this meat and potato hot dish this way first.—Marna Heitz, Farley, Iowa
Pizza Tater Tot CasseroleFor a spin on a classic hot dish, try this easy version. For a fun twist, just add your family’s favorite pizza toppings! —Sharon Skildum, Maple Grove, Minnesota
Mexican Chicken Hot DishI've had this Mexican chicken bake recipe for 30 years. Since my kids, grandkids and guests of all ages request it often and it takes only about 30 minutes to make, I have it at least once every other month! —Linda Humphreys, Buchanan, Michigan
Beef and Noodle Hot DishWhen I was working on the local election board in the '50s, one of my co-workers gave me this ground beef casserole with noodles recipe, and it has been a family favorite ever since. It's quick to make for unexpected company or easily doubled for a potluck. —Mary Hinman, Escondido, California
Chicken Broccoli CasseroleWhen you're looking for comfort and ease, this chicken broccoli casserole is the answer to your dinner dreams.
Chicken Hash Brown CasseroleThe first time I served this hot dish was to a family with five children. The kids and the adults loved it! This is one recipe I often make for parties—it goes a long way, and all ages enjoy it. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington
Chicken Hot Dish with CrackersI never bring home leftovers whenever I take this creamy chicken casserole with Ritz crackers to a potluck. Its mild flavor has broad appeal. I especially like the way that the crumb topping adds a bit of crunch to each meaty serving. —Faye Hintz, Springfield, Missouri
Potato Sausage CasseroleThe subtle spices in this sausage potato hot dish give it a distinctive flavor that my family has loved for years. Not only is this hearty casserole a great main dish on your dinner table, it also reheats nicely. —Mrs. Fred Osborn, Thayer, Kansas
Chicken and Stuffing CasseroleThis hearty six-ingredient chicken and stuffing casserole is a breeze to make, requiring just five minutes of prep time, making it ideal for busy weeknights and group gatherings.
Oktoberfest Hot DishIn northeastern Ohio, we love German flavors. This delicious casserole is a trifecta mashup of my favorite dishes. It combines the flavors of classic cheesy hash brown casserole with bratwursts and sauerkraut, pretzels and beer cheese. It takes less than 10 minutes to mix and takes only one bowl. It's sure to please everyone any time of the year. —Sarah Markley, Ashland, Ohio
Chicken Tater BakeYou'll please everyone in the family with this inviting and filling chicken Tater Tot hot dish. It tastes like a chicken potpie topped with Tater Tots. —Fran Allen, St Louis, Missouri
Church Supper Hot DishThis hot dish recipe was in my mother's church cookbook, and now it's in my church cookbook! Apparently is was too good to miss a generation. I often make this dish to take along to potlucks...and it seems that if I don't, someone else will! It's hearty and so tasty! —Norma Turner, Haslett, Michigan
Contest-Winning Greek Pasta BakeWhen I take this dish to potlucks, there's never so much as a morsel left! It’s a simple, healthy, hearty supper made with ingredients that are easy to find. Add a salad and a crusty loaf of bread for a quick meal solution. —Anne Taglienti, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Contest-Winning Hot Chicken SaladAfter I tasted this hot chicken hot dish at a women's luncheon, I left with the recipe in hand. I was our city clerk for several years, and on election days I brought this to serve our poll workers for lunch. It got everyone's vote of approval! I've found it is also delicious stuffed in a tomato. —Ruth Glabe, Oronoco, Minnesota
Meat Lover's Pizza Hot DishI make this hearty casserole for the men who help us out during harvesttime. Every year they say it’s the best—hands down. Throw in any pizza toppings your family likes—Canadian bacon, black olives and green peppers are some of our picks. —Brook Bothun, Canby, Minnesota
Chicken and Wild Rice CasseroleThis chicken and wild rice casserole is the perfect dinner for when you need something easy, balanced and friendly for the whole family. Precooked chicken and rice make it even quicker.
Turkey Rice CasseroleGetting a comforting meal on the table in no time couldn't be any easier thanks to this nourishing turkey rice casserole dish, which is ready in just over 30 minutes from start to finish.
Bacon Cheeseburger Hot DishHuge on flavor and not too big in terms of hand-on effort, this bacon cheeseburger tater tot casserole is a meal the chef and the diners alike will always agree on.
Meatball Hash Brown Hot DishFor a seniors potluck at church, I wanted to create a recipe that would incorporate a meat dish and side dish in one. This casserole proved to be a crowd-pleaser, and many people asked for the recipe. —Joann Fritzler, Belen, New Mexico
Cowboy CasseroleThis quick and creamy Tater Tot bake is great comfort food, especially on a cold night. —Donna Donhauser, Remsen, New York
Ham and Potato CasseroleThis cheesy ham and potato casserole is a delicious way to use up leftover ham. Try it for an eggless brunch, or for dinner alongside roasted vegetables and grilled meats.
Midwest Meatball Hot DishI've relied on this recipe many times as a soothing finish to a hectic day...and since I usually have all the ingredients on hand, there's no last-minute rush to the store, either. —Judy Larson, Greendale, Wisconsin
