Why is my Tater Tot casserole soggy?

Why is my tater tot casserole soggy? If your casserole is soggy, it's likely either because there was too much moisture or it has not baked long enough . Be sure to sauté the onions thoroughly, and bake until the filling is bubbly.

How to get tater tots crispy in the oven?

Brush/mist each tot with olive oil, be generous. Transfer to the oven and bake 10-12 minutes, slide a spatula underneath the tots, then flip and bake 10 more minutes. Flip once to the uncooked side, bake 10-12 minutes, until golden and crisp.

What is the difference between a Tater Tot Hotdish and a Tater Tot casserole?

But, while anything baked in a casserole can be called a casserole, the Midwestern preparation known as "hotdish" is much more specific . A hotdish always consists of meat, vegetables, a starch, and sauce—it's not a side dish, but an entire meal unto itself.

Why aren't my tater tots getting crispy?

You want them crispy, tater tots need to be cooked at a high temperature for this to happen . 375-400F is great, I find 375F the sweet spot to get them crispy but to also cook the inside before the outside burns.

Why can't you put tater tots in the microwave?

When you take a handful of tater tots and throw them into a fryer the oil is only crisping the exterior of the tots and heating them through. They're already cooked, remember? If you were to put some tater tots into a microwave they would become hot but never crispy. It takes hot fat to get them crispy .

Should you thaw tater tots before baking?

In fact, it's recommended to bake them from frozen to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy on the outside . What temperature should I bake frozen tater tots at? Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) before baking the frozen tater tots. This high temperature will help them become crispy without becoming soggy.

How do you make a casserole not soggy?

To prevent a soggy top and a firm or crunchy bottom, it's important to use a shallow baking dish, to cook the casserole at the correct oven temperature and for the appropriate amount of time, and to be mindful of the amount of liquid used in the recipe .

How do you fix a wet casserole?

Thicken a meat casserole the most popular way with flour . This way, the flour will soak up the juices and fat in the pan. Add about one teaspoon of flour at a time until you get the right thickness. Use oatmeal four if you have a gluten allergy.

Why is my hash brown casserole soggy?

Frozen hash browns will leak moisture during cooking , which could leave a soggy, sad mess behind. For the best results, let the frozen hash browns thaw overnight in the fridge, then thoroughly pat them dry to remove as much moisture as possible before cooking them to crispy.

Crispy Tot Chili Casserole | Ultimate winter comfort food recipe! (2024)

ByDavidJanuary 11, 2021June 23, 2021

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This shop has been compensated by Inmar Intelligence and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BestPotatoesBestFries

Looking for the ultimate winter comfort food meal? This CrispyTot Chili Casserole starts with a classic ground beef chili…then gets topped with crispy tots!

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Whenever Laura and I go out for date nights to our local pub, we often order a round of loaded tots as an appetizer. Talk about the perfect way to start a night out! (Let’s be real, though. We’re always back home in bed by 9pm – I’m sure you other parents out there can identify!)

Channeling that tot theme, we often have crispy tots as an appetizer here at home on New Year’s Eve. This tradition started years ago, and we still make tots every New Year’s Eve as a happy hour snack. (And let’s be real again. Most of the time we’re in bed long before the clock strikes midnight!) This year, I picked up two bags of Grown In Idaho Super Crispy Tots at Walmart. One bag for New Year’s Eve, and a second bag for this Crispy Tot Chili Casserole.

Crispy Tot Chili Casserole

The idea for this Crispy Tot Chili Casserole started with those loaded tots. If we can load all sorts of deliciousness on top of tots, then what about switching it up and putting tots on top of a casserole? And for this casserole, I went with one of our favorite winter comfort foods – classic beef chili. The only difference with this chili is it uses a bit less liquid so that it stays more like a casserole rather than a soup. And the crispy tots on top? They’re the shining star! This recipe is going on our short list of winter comfort food favorites – talk about taking meat and potatoes up a notch!

Speaking of crispy tots, I used Grown In Idaho Super Crispy Tots for this casserole. We love crispy tots, and these tots are super crispy and super flavorful. Great tots start with great potatoes, and Grown In Idaho Super Crispy Tots start with potatoes that are grown in Idaho. These tots are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside – and the best part is you can pick them up in the frozen section at your local grocery store. (This casserole is baked in the oven, but Grown In Idaho Super Crispy Tots can be prepared by themselves in the oven or in an airfryer.)

As tasty as tots are by themselves, I have to say that tots also make a great ingredient in all sorts of dishes. Take these Cuban-Style Smashed Tots for instance – I’m pretty sure those would be an awesome gametime snack! Or what about a breakfast frittata topped with crispy tots? That has weekend brunch written all over it!

Crispy Tot Chili Casserole

Looking for the ultimate winter comfort food meal? This Crispy Tot Chili Casserole starts with a classic ground beef chili...and then gets topped with crispy tots!

5 from 7 votes

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

½ Tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion diced
2 tsp minced garlic
2 lbs lean ground beef I used 93/7
⅓ cup tomato paste ~½ of a 6-oz. can
2 Tbsp chili powder
1½ tsp ground cumin
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp dried oregano
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 15-oz. can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 14-oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 28-oz. bag Grown In Idaho Super Crispy Tots
{optional garnishes} ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese ¼ cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Spray a 9”x13” casserole dish with non-stick baking spray; set dish aside.
Using a large skillet, add olive oil and place over medium heat. Once hot, add diced onions. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes.
Add garlic, stir and sauté for 1-2 more minutes.
Add beef and break apart using a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, or until beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess liquid (if any) from pan.
Add tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, thyme and oregano; stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add beans, tomatoes and chicken broth. Increase heat and bring mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, remove skillet from heat and transfer mixture into prepared casserole dish.
Place frozen tots in an even layer on top of chili.
Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until tots are golden brown.
Remove casserole dish from oven and top with shredded cheese and chopped cilantro. Continue baking for 5-10 more minutes, or until cheese has melted.
Remove dish from oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Looking for more tasty comfort food recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:

Antipasta Grilled Cheese

Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks

Mac and Cheese with Bacon and Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Chili Cornbread Casserole
Ribeye Chili
Slow Cooker Chili Mac
Hamburger Steaks with Gravy

Crispy Tot Chili Casserole | Ultimate winter comfort food recipe! (2024)

Crispy Tot Chili Casserole

Crispy Tot Chili Casserole

Ingredients

Instructions

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