A quick and enjoyable supper that can be made every night of the week is this ground turkey tater tot dish. A tasty turkey and veggie mixture, cheddar cheese, and crispy tater tots top this satisfying and reasonably priced dish.
Rather of using ground beef, this tater tot dish uses less traditional ground turkey. Ground turkey dishes are a tasty and easy alternative, whether you’re trying to cut back on red meat or just want to save a few pennies. It makes a lean, cost-effective replacement for ground beef in almost any recipe that asks for it.
GROUND TURKEY TATER TOT CASSEROLE INGREDIENTS
- Oil: We use canola oil, which is neutral and has a high smoke point.
- Lean ground turkey should be used. 85 percent lean and 15 percent fat is what we utilize. If you’d want to go even leaner, 93/7 is a good option. Avoid using turkey breast for optimal results since we require a small amount of fat for taste and moisture.
- Vegetables: Garlic and onions, either white or yellow, are cooked with the ground turkey. We utilized a mix of carrots, peas, maize, and green beans for the mixed vegetables, which are frequently found in the supermarket’s frozen area.
- Simple seasonings include dried oregano, black pepper, and salt (we use kosher salt). A small amount of Worcestershire sauce gives the dish more flavor. The robust flavor of Worcestershire sauce pairs well with meat. Most supermarket shops carry it in the condiment aisle, or you can get it online.
- Pantry: We’ll need cooking spray, chicken broth, and condensed cream of chicken soup from the pantry.
- Cheese: For this flavorful tater tot casserole, we choose medium cheddar cheddar cheese, although Monterey jack and white cheddar also work well. Make use of a well-melting cheese.
- Use your preferred brand of frozen Tater Tots since they are the main component in this simple dish. When it comes to frozen food, there are often a few options available.
You will also need:
- Cooking spray
- Casserole baking dish approximately 2 quart capacity, 10 x 8 inch
HOW TO MAKE GROUND TURKEY TATER TOT CASSEROLE
- In a large, deep nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the dried oregano, salt, pepper, and ground turkey. Mix everything together and spread it out in a single layer.
- Cook the seasoned ground turkey for three to five minutes, or until it is browned and the liquid has evaporated. Use a wood spoon or spatula to break up any large bits and stir occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to medium and whisk regularly while cooking the onions for two to three minutes.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and garlic, then simmer, stirring constantly, for one minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and the cream of chicken soup from the can. Mix well to combine with the ground turkey.
- Incorporate the mixed veggies lastly. To allow the flavors to meld, reduce the heat to medium-low to low, cover the pan, and simmer for ten minutes. Maintain a simmer, adjust the heat as necessary, and stir from time to time.
If necessary, taste the ground turkey filling and add more salt. We added a pinch to ours as a point of comparison.
Allow the blend to cool. If you occasionally stir it to release the steam, it will cool more quickly. When it comes time to bake, it will solidify and become thicker as it cools.
Set oven temperature to 400°F.
Apply a thin layer of cooking spray to a casserole dish (about 10 × 8 inches / 2 qt).
BUILD THE TATER TOT CASSEROLE
- Pour into the casserole dish half of the turkey mixture. Add a ½ cup of the shredded cheese on top.
- Pour in the remaining blend.
- Add one cup of shredded cheese on top, distributing it evenly without stirring.
- Put the tater tots on top, being careful not to press or overlap them. Gently place them on top.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbling and the tots are crispy and golden on top. Before serving, let it to rest for about fifteen minutes.
MAKE AHEAD AND STORING
If preparing this casserole in advance, follow the recipe’s directions for making the ground turkey filling, let it cool somewhat, and then chill it until it’s completely cold. Assemble the casserole, but leave the tater tots off of the top.
Make sure the casserole is tightly sealed by covering it with a lid or several layers of plastic wrap. Keep chilled for up to a day.
About 20 minutes before baking, take the dish out of the refrigerator (assuming your kitchen is cold). Certain casserole pans are not as resilient to sharp temperature fluctuations. Prior to baking, try to remove the cold from the dish.
Place the tater tots on top and bake according to the recipe.
Remaining food can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days if it is sealed tightly.
You may also like these casserole recipes:
Ground Turkey Tater Tot Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Oil use a neutral oil with a high smoke point we use canola oil
- 1 Pound Ground Turkey Use lean ground turkey but not turkey breast, we use 85/15
- 1 Small Onion finely diced
- 2-3 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 10½ ounce can Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 6 ounces Frozen Mixed Vegetables defrosted cooked to about half the recommended time on the package
- 1½ cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese divided
- 14-16 ounces Frozen Tater Tots
Instructions
- Additionally, you’ll need: Cooking spray and a 10-by-8-inch, roughly 2-quart casserole dish
- In a large, deep nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the dried oregano, salt, pepper, and ground turkey. Mix everything together and spread it out in a single layer.
- Cook the seasoned ground turkey for three to five minutes, or until it is browned and the liquid has evaporated. Use a wood spoon or spatula to break up any large bits and stir occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring regularly, for two to three minutes after adding the onions to the ground beef.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and garlic, then simmer, stirring constantly, for one minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and the cream of chicken soup from the can. After thoroughly mixing the ground turkey, add the mixed veggies and toss again.
- To allow the flavors to meld, reduce the heat to medium-low to low, cover the pan, and simmer for ten minutes. Maintain a simmer, adjust the heat as necessary, and stir from time to time.
- If necessary, taste the ground turkey filling and add more salt. We added a pinch to ours as a point of comparison.
- Allow the blend to cool. If you occasionally stir it to release the steam, it will cool more quickly.
- Set oven temperature to 400°F.
- Apply a thin layer of cooking spray to a casserole dish (about 10 × 8 inches / 2 qt).
- Pour into the casserole dish half of the turkey mixture. Add a ½ cup of the shredded cheese on top.
- Pour in the remaining mixture and evenly sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese on top (do not stir).
- Place the tater tots on top, being careful not to push down or overlap. Gently place them on top.
- If preferred, set the casserole dish on a large baking sheet so that it won’t create a mess in your oven should it bubble over.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbling and the tots are crispy and golden on top.
- Before serving, let the Tater Tot Turkey Casserole sit for a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes to allow it to solidify.
Notes
- Use low-sodium or reduced-sodium items and use less salt to season the ground turkey if you have a sensitive stomach. If necessary, you can taste and modify at the end.
- Allow the blend to cool. If you occasionally stir it to release the steam, it will cool more quickly. When it comes time to bake, it will solidify and become thicker as it cools.