Tater Tots were invented in 1953 by Golden and Nephi Grigg.  They were two brothers who had a french fry business and they were looking for some way to use all the left over potato bits from their french fry business.

Well just like those two brothers were looking to economize, families across America economized with Tater Tots by making a “hot dish” or casserole with them.  That I know of there are two distinct ways to make Tater Tot hot dish, here is the first one.

Image via Wikipedia

Ingredients

• 1 lb of ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 5-7 celery stalks, diced
• 1 can of tomato soup
• 1 can of water (use soup can to measure)
• 1 bag of Tater Tots
• 1-2 cups of shredded cheddar or slices of American cheese.

Method

1. Brown the ground beef
2. Pre-heat oven to 450, and put rack on top shelf
3. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking dish, preferably with shortening
4. In the frying mix the ground, onion, green pepper, and celery
5. Add the tomato soup
6. Add one can of water
7. This mixture should have plenty of moisture, if not add a little more water
8. Pour mixture into the baking dish
9. Now spread the shredded cheese across the top, or layer slices of American cheese (don’t use the pre-wrapped singles, use real American cheese from a block)
10. On the very top you will layer your Tater Tots.
11. Put in oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the Tater Tots are browned.

Serve and enjoy this classic American Favorite.