Tator Tot Hotdish

This is like going home whenever I make this dish.  It reminds me of my childhood, when life seemed simpler and I had less cares to worry about.  Meals such as this were meant to be economical and feed a big family. The ingredients are simple, and the dish is pure comfort.  Here I made the hotdish in several, different-sized containers and baked them off so they could be frozen and pulled out at a later time to thaw and then feed one, two or three.  This recipe makes two 9X13 pans, and can easily be halved.

4 lbs. 75% lean ground beef

2 large onions, chopped

2 - 4 oz. container sliced mushrooms

1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

32 oz. bag frozen mixed vegetables

1 - 50 oz. can cream of mushroom soup

1 bag frozen tator tots

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Brown hamburger, onions and mushrooms together - then drain grease and place back into pot.  Add flour, salt and pepper, mixing well to combine.  Divide meat mixture evenly into the bottom of your pans.  Top with  frozen vegetables.

Place cream soup into a bowl and stir with a fork until mixture becomes creamy.  Spread over top of vegetables, then place frozen tator tots on top of that.  Place into a 350 degree oven and bake for 45 minutes, until mixture is bubbly.  Open oven, pull out rack and sprinkle tops of hotdish with shredded cheese.  Place back into oven and bake for 15 more minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to rest for 15 minutes - serve.