Hot n Tot Tater Casserole

At first when slave saw this recipe the thought was “How Redneck”? Now let me explain: I use the term with honor and respect NOT as a slur or insult. Rednecks came about by hard work and making do with little. I respect them as a group and mean no hard feelings but rather admiration.

Now as to this casserole: it has everything! It is not expensive yet will sustain the hardest working individuals. Now to cut some of the fat, slave used ground turkey instead of ground beef. Either works and working is what it is all about!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• ½ medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1pkg rice & vermicelli mix beef flavor
• 1 14oz. can beef broth (low sodium)
• 2 tbs all purpose flour
• pkg frozen tater tots
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• optional: milk
• Pkg frozen mixed vegetables

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut up the onion.

2. Brown ground beef (or turkey) until all gray is gone, Add onion and saute 5 minutes more. Remove from pan and drain well.

3. Fix rice & vermicelli mix according to package directions. Most will tell you when to add the beef. It will be after you have brought the rice up to a boil. Then reduce heat and cover. Let it simmer for 13 – 15 minutes.

That first step just browns the pasta to give it a nutty taste.

4. While that simmers. In a medium pan on medium heat, mix the flour into the beef broth. Bring to a boil while stirring until thickened. If it gets thicker than a gravy, add a tbs of milk, but don't overdo.

5. Add the frozen mixed vegetables to the beef sauce and stir to combine and set off of the heat.
   
   

7. When rice & beef is ready, spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish.
8. Now layer the beef-rice, 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    
9. 
   
   
   
   then the vegetables,
   
   
   
   
   
    
   sprinkle with half of the shredded cheddar cheese. 
   
   
   
   
   
    
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Arrange the potato tots on top 
   
   
   
   
   
     
10. finish off with the rest of the cheese.

11. Bake in oven for 30-40 minutes.

Note:

This can be made with other soups like: cheddar cheese, mushroom, cream of celery, broccoli cheese soup, or even cream of potato!

You can also use plain has browns for the tater tots.

Here's you song to cook with...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLJUEH8HuGo

Now then whither you are red neck or gourmand, that tastes damn good!

Serving my Master Indy with joy!

socialslave

To satisfy and restore.

To nourish, support and maintain.

To gratify, spoil, comfort and please,

to nurture, assist, and sustain

…..I cook!

Please buy slave's cookbook:

The Little Black Book of Indiscreet Recipes by Dan White http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F315Y4I/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_vAT4sb0934RTM via @amazon