Warm Up This Fall with Andrew Zimmern’s 5-Ingredient Casserole: The Ultimate Cozy Weeknight Dinner!

Chef Andrew Zimmern is a well-known figure in the food world. You might recognize him from his award-winning TV shows or his vibrant Instagram account. But what you may not know is that he’s deeply rooted in the Midwest. Besides his famous sticky wings and French onion soup, he has a special fondness for a Midwestern classic: hotdish.

So, what’s a hotdish? It’s basically a hearty casserole, typically made with a starch like potatoes or pasta, some frozen veggies, a meat option, and a can of cream-of-something soup. The beauty of hotdish is its simplicity; everything cooks in one dish. Most home cooks have their own go-to recipes.

One of Zimmern’s favorites is the tater tot hotdish. He describes it as his go-to meal when he doesn’t want to spend much time in the kitchen. “I moved to Minnesota from New York, and I had never tried a hotdish before,” he shared in an interview. “The tater tot hotdish is a classic, and I’ve made a simple version with just five ingredients.”

Those ingredients? Ground beef, onion, cream of mushroom soup, frozen green beans, and, of course, frozen tater tots. Zimmern keeps these staples on hand, ready for any busy evening.

He emphasizes that you can get creative with your own hotdish. “If you’re out of something, don’t stress. Use what you have,” he advises. Want to swap chicken for beef? Go for it. Have some broccoli that needs to be used? Toss it in! Flexibility is key.

Recent food trends show a growing interest in comfort foods like hotdish, especially during challenging times. According to a survey by the Food Institute, over 60% of people are cooking more at home than ever before, with many turning to nostalgic recipes that remind them of simpler days.

For those eager to try Zimmern’s beloved tater tot hotdish, here’s how you can make it at home:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (16-ounce) bag frozen green beans
• 24 ounces frozen tater tots

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large casserole dish, brown the beef and onion over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Once browned, remove it from heat. Layer the green beans on top, then spread the soup over them. Finally, place the tater tots on top.
4. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the tater tots are crispy. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. It goes well with a drizzle of ketchup!

This recipe showcases how simple ingredients can come together to create comfort food that feels like a warm hug. Enjoy making it, and don’t forget to have fun with your own variations!

For more culinary inspiration, check out Andrew Zimmern’s original tater tot hotdish recipe on Allrecipes.

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Andrew Zimmern, tater tot hotdish, French onion soup, tater tots, ingredients, Allrecipes