The Verdict is In!
Last week, we challenged our community to pick a winner between two classic comfort contenders: a cozy bake and creamy Mac & Cheese. And the votes are counted! The winner is the Comfort Food Bake, which means I’m thrilled to share my family’s favorite take on a Minnesota staple: Tater Tot Hotdish!
But this isn’t your grandma’s hotdish. We’ve given this classic a bold, zesty Southwest Kick that makes it the perfect warm, hearty meal for these cool fall and winter evenings.
Why This Hotdish Wins
I love this recipe because it uses a few clever swaps to keep things a bit lighter and maximize flavor:
- Lighter Protein: I swap out the traditional ground beef for lean ground turkey.
- Sweet and tender Mexicorn: I love to add a small can of Mexicorn, or niblets for an added sweetness.
- Flavor Base: Like almost everything in my kitchen, this starts with a generous amount of onion and fresh minced garlic.
- The Heat: Two kinds of cheesy soup, black beans, and a spicy kick from taco seasoning and pepper jack cheese!
Hotdish Customization & Topping Tips
🔥 Make it Milder
This spicy spin is what we love, but if you’re feeding little ones or aren’t into heat, here are two quick fixes:
- Swap the spicy nacho cheese soup for a regular can of cheddar cheese soup.
- Ensure you are using a mild salsa.
🧀 Topping is Everything
No hotdish is complete without the perfect garnish! We top ours with the midwest delicacy, Top the Tater (or just plain sour cream), plus extra salsa or hot sauce.
I hope you and your family enjoy this fun, spicy twist on the ultimate comfort food! Click here to jump over to my Southwest Tater Tot Hotdish recipe.
What do you think? Do you line up your tater tots, or are you a tosser? Let me know in the comments below!
