It’s a Midwestern classic for good reason.
In other words, her food was bland and very dry.
Thats why when tasked to try Andrew Zimmerns five-ingredient casserolea tater tot hotdishI was hesitant.
Simply Recipes / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham / Getty Images
Was my moms experience a foreshadowing of what was to come?
I didnt know, but I was willing to find out.
What Is a Hotdish?
Simply Recipes / Sara Haas
The first thing you should know about hotdishes: While a hotdishcanbe a casserole,not all casserolesare hotdishes.
The first known hotdish recipe was published in Mankato, Minnesota, in the Grace Lutheran Ladies Aid cookbook.
It was made with ground beef, canned peas, pasta, and tomato soup.
Simply Recipes / Sara Haas
A truly Midwestern dish, this 1930s dinner-table staple was created out of necessity.
It was the Great Depression, and money was tight.
The ingredients were economical and could be stretched to feed a family.
This hotdish hit all the food groups in a resourceful way.
Season with salt and black pepper and then pour the cooked mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Andrew recommends Campbell’s.
The result is a delicious, comforting casserole that’s truly this easy to make.
Andrew’s hotdish tastes like a cozy home filled with family photos and a broken-in sofa.
I havent had much experience with this key in of food, but I liked it.
The ground beef and mushroom soup provided great umami.
The tater tot topping sealed my appreciation, providing the perfect potato-y crunch with every bite.
All in all, I liked it.
And Id make it again but with some tweaks.
