Yummy Tater Tot Casserole

We changed very little, but did add frozen broccoli (1 lb.) and we sprinkled taco seasoning on our soup and cheese concoction before spooning it over the tots and broccoli. My son then sprinkled a bit more taco seasoning over the 9”X 13” casserole pan, before adding the last of the small 2-1/2 cup package cheddar cheese he sprinkled over top. My son is big on seasoning! Which I have found hard to deal with. My family was very bland growing up, so pepper and other strong flavors he likes to use, I sometimes find hard to swallow.

This was pretty good. I mostly followed the recipe because I like to do that the first time, but I did make a few small changes. I used a ready-to-serve, low-sodium cream of mushroom because it was what I had. Also used a tad more cheddar than called for: 1.75 oz of the sargento extra sharp cheddar. Finally, I added 1/3 tsp of cayenne pepper. Overall, the flavor was pretty good, though an entire cup of butter is absolutely not necessary, and a whole tablespoon of pepper is perhaps a little much. Instead, I would next time cut in half the amount of butter and add more variety in terms of the spices used (maybe some Italian seasoning? Smoked paprika? Garlic powder?) and would add more vegetables, perhaps a bell pepper or a jalapeño.

Great base recipe! Fam loved! Sauteed sweet onion, added 1 lb ground beed + 1/2lb venison, lots of Montreal seasoning for meat layer under the potato mixture. Caramelized some onion for in the potato mix. I had 32oz bag of shredded frozen hash browns. Worked great! 9x13 55 min.

This is so good, it's addictive!!!