How can I make tater tot casserole more flavorful?!
How can I make tater tot casserole more flavorful?
So last night at my husbands request, I made tater tot casserole. The recipe only calls for ground beef (I used turkey, it's healthier), tater tots, cream of mushroom soup, milk and shredded cheese. I substituted cream of chicken soup because IMO cream of mushroom is bland. I also seasoned my meat with both garlic and onion powder. It still came out pretty bland. My husband loved it but I need more flavor in my meals. Has anyone ever made this and spice it up somehow with some other flavors?
Answers: I use sour cream instead of the milk and a pinch of thyme or margorum, gives it a somewhat different taste. I cook the chopped turkey in taco seasoning. Just get the packet of seasoning. This will really spice it up. Put ketchup over it before you eat it. Yum! Try using extra-sharp cheddar, or abobo seasoning (which is great with any poultry), ;you don't need much but it really punches up the flavor. You could also try (or instead of) use chopped red/green peppers and/lor onions. Use fresh or frozen if you can, the flavor will be better than with the seasoning powders. Add bacon bits, yummmm try a Pizza Tot Casserole
1 pound ground beef
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can tomato soup
4 ounces can sliced mushrooms, drained
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
32 ounces bag frozen Tater Tots]
Directions:
In a skillet, cook beef, pepper and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add soup and mushrooms.
Transfer to a greased 9X13 pan. Top with cheese and potatoes. Bake, uncovered, at 400 for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Try adding cooked turkey bacon and green onions. A little chili powder adds a nice flavor too. Marinate your meat, and season it ahead of time. It makes a big difference!!! Use the cream of chicken, because you're right it does have more flavor. Don't just use onion and garlic though. Buy a seasoning, like a poultry seasoning or meat seasoning that are preblended. I would add minced garlic and onions to the ground turkey, season with salt and pepper and let it sit in the fridge for an hour. That should get the flavours flowing. Try adding some chopped chives to the soup & milk mixture. Maybe you can experiment with different cheeses too, try marble or mozzerella. Also, I would try sprinkling breadcrumbs on top and some parmesean. That should give it a nice crunchy coating. Good luck! I would try brown stock with the cream of mushroom and turkey sausage not ground turkey. Also cheese, Parmigiano would be my choice.
basic broown stock
1 pounds beef bones, sawed into 2-inch pieces
1 pounds stew beef, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
1 unpeeled onions, quartered
1 carrots, halved
2 ribs of celery, halved
4 unpeeled garlic cloves
6 long parsley sprigs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
1 bay leaf
3 cups of water
Boil for 15 min. simmer 45 min. This will keep frozen for 3 months. I put it in ice trays so I can use it easy. try some chopped onions and garlic, and garlic salt in the meat, mix some sliced scallions and black pepper in with the soup use Campbell's Cheese soup instead of mushroom or chicken soup. It's creamy and when you top it with shredded chesse it just gets better. besides seasoning the meat, season the tater tots. Also use a combination of cheeses. Like Kraft Mexican mixes - Cheeder Jack or 4 Cheeses. These will add more flavor.
When seasoning the meat try some of the McCormick Grill Mates like Montreal Chicken or Steak Seasoning. There are many flavors to choose from.
I hope this helps you some. Garlic or Mexican Velveeta adds a great kick! You are right to use cream of chicken over cream of mushroom. I might suggest adding some sauteed onion and/or bell peppers. Use sharp cheddar cheese for more flavor in that department. There are some tater tots that are spicy, you could substitute those. add cooked, diced carrots and/or peas to the ground beef (that's right, I said beef - more flavor than turkey). Add a few drops of hot sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot) into the mixture - mmm, mmm.