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Thursday, March 25, 2010

A Very Duggar Recipe: Tater Tot Casserole

Thanks to everyone who critiqued Anna's Chicken Etti recipe!
Here's the Duggars' most famous recipe. You guessed it.....Tater Tot Casserole!

Tater Tot Casserole
(One of Jim Bob’s Favorites!)

Ingredients: 
  • 2 lb ground turkey cooked, seasoned, drained
  • 3-2lb bags tater tots 
  • 2 cans cream of mushroom
  • 2 cans evaporated milk
  • 2 cans cream of chicken 
Directions:
  1. Brown meat, and place in large casserole dish. 
  2. Cover with tater tots. Mix soup and milk together. 
  3. Pour over top. Bake at 350 for 1 Hour.
*Makes 2-9”X13” pans (about 16 servings)
Recipe can be cut in half.


Click here to view more delicious Duggar recipes. 

What do you think of this recipe? Have you ever made it, or do you plan on making it? Feel free to post critiques and comments!

62 Comments~Click HERE to add yours:

Rhonda said...

I have made this, and my family likes it. I like to add taco seasoning to my ground turkey for a different kick of taste.

Tammy said...

i have cooked it a few times. It is so easy to make and my kids love it. It is a keeper in my books.
I use low fat soup in mine

Anonymous said...

Doesn't sound to good, to be honest! Come out to California & I will share with you my love of SPICES!

Allison said...

I tried this quite a while ago, and although it was good, it lacked something. So, I did my research and tried a variation and let me tell you... it is a big hit everytime I make it. See below:

32 Oz. of Tator Tots
1.5lbs of hamburger (i usually
16 Oz. of Sour Cream
1 Can of Cream of Mushroom
1-2 Cups of Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Depends on how much cheese you like)
6 Oz. Can of French's French Friend Onions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook hamburger. While cooking hamburger, mix sour cream and cream of mushroom soup together. In a 9x13 glass casserole dish layer ingredients like this, starting from the bottom and working up: tator tots, cooked hamburger, and spread cream of mushroom soup/sour cream mix on top. Put in the oven for 45 minutes (if you like crispy tator tots). At end of 45, take out top with cheddar cheese and french fried onions, put back in the oven for about 10 minutes, until cheese is melted.

I made this for a family who's realtive pased away and it fed 10.

Enjoy!

Allison

Shelly said...

I have been wanting to try this recipe for a long time, but I don't think my husband or my kids will like it. So if I do try it, I'll at least have to cut the recipe in half or something just in case.

Lily and Ellie said...

Thanks for all of the variations and for posting your comments on the recipe!

My Little Piece of Green said...

I made this once and we loved it. The only differences were, I halved it (there's only 3 of us), I used chicken breast cut up into chunks and I just the cream of chicken and herbs soup. The herbs add a little something extra to the party. I will defiantly be making it again the future.

Carly said...

Thanks for posting another Duggar-related recipe :) I will try making Allison's variation!

R said...

Hey, I have been looking for the apple crisp recipe that the Duggars fixed, it was on the episode where they took it to the Fireman/Police. It looked really good- Hope you can find this for me
Thanks so much! I love to watch the Duggars, I have a dvr and record all of them.
Blessings,
Renea H
harrinr@vmcmail.com

Anonymous said...

I cook up my hamburger or turkey with onions and garlic. Then I continue the recipe but only have to do half of the recipe. Fortunately, Campbells makes a combo of the chicken and mushroom cream soups. I've also used sour cream when I didn't have evaporated milk (definitely creamier).

Lily and Ellie said...

I searched for the Duggars' apple crisp recipe, but it does not look like they have shared it yet. Here is a basic, but delicious, apple crisp recipe that is sure to please anyone:

Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp
* 3 cups apples, sliced
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold

Directions
1. Arrange apple slices in an 8-inch square baking dish.
2. Combine sugar, flour, and butter in a large bowl.
3. Mix with hands until mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs.
4. Sprinkle over apple slices.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes (until lightly browned) at 375°F.

Variations:
Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and/or 1/3 cup walnuts to the flour mixture

Ginger said...

I'd like to know why the soups are poured on top of the tots. Doesn't that make them soggy instead of crispy?

Anonymous said...

it doesn't get soggy, the sauce actually just gives it flavor. I only use cream of mushroom and evaporated milk i don't know about cream of chicken with ground beef... kinda mixing species. But all it does is soak into the meat and then it's very yummy!

Ariana said...

I made this for my family, Who are picky eaters by the way.
I don't like mushrooms, so I used chedder cheese soup from campbells and it was SOOO yummy! My family Actually ate it!

Anonymous said...

What are Tater tots? I live in the uk and have no idea what they are please tell me.

Lily and Ellie said...

Tater tots are like hash browns. They are sliced pieces of deep-fried potatoes.

Laura F said...

I made this recipie about a month ago just because i was curious about it. I never expected it to be so good! Its my new favorite food and im being asked by friends who came over and liked it to make it for them! Hahaha god bless!

Laura F said...

Their broccoli cassarole recipie on their website is also one of the best things ive ever tasted ( besides the tator tot cassarole) :)

Donna Seay said...

I'd love to try it. Since I'm allergic to the MSG in the cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup, I'd have to find a substitute without MSG. Sounds a lot like Shepherd's Pie.

Marian said...

@ Donna: My husband and I use gravy mixes, in lieu of "cream of"s for the same reason =) It's often less expensive, too!

Jenn said...

My family loves Tater-Tot Casserole. Ours is very similar to the Duggar's.

We love it so much I make a "double" batch using 2 pounds ground turkey, browned with diced onion. I use a 1 large can and 1 small can cream of chicken soup...for those doubters...it's better than cream of mushroom! I also throw in a 10oz (I think) bag of mixed vegetables. Top with tater tots and bake up a half pan more because we just like more.

briansbabe74 said...

I love Tater Tot Casserole for the must part. I want to try this recipe so bad.

Anonymous said...

I am absolutely shocked by the lack of homemade / made from scratch healthy food.

There are enough kids in that family who can cook -- taking it to the next level and cooking items from scratch -- shouldn't be that difficult.

We have an epidemic of obesity in this country -- making items from scratch and using items from the garden on the show would encourage healthy eating and home grown food!

Love the show - BTW - just not how they eat or the food choices available to the kids.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely agree that The Duggars have terrible food choices with an over abundance of prepared foods. They don't cook they assemble food. I would love to see them with a nutrition specialist. Several times Jim Bob and Jana were shown trying to diet but how would that be possible with the sodium and fat loaded food they serve the family. Also recipes like the ice cream cake was laden with sugar. No wonder the small children run all over the house. They are on a sugar high

Anonymous said...

I make this all the time. We use ground meat seasoned with onions and garlic. I mix the meat in with two cans of cream of mushroom mixed with one soup can of milk. I put that in 9x13 pan first then sprinkle shredded cheddar then a can of peas and can of corn mixed then layer tator tots and bake till they are crispy...sometimes we melt shredded cheese on top at the end....my family loves it like this.

One of Six said...

Thanks for the recipe. We are trying it tonight. However, we love veggies in my family, so we are addng 2 cans of corn, 2 cans or greenbeans and 1 can of mixed vegetables. We will put the tater tots on top. Can't wait to eat it! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Anonymous said...

I watch the Duggers all the time. I see them eat fruits & veges. & I do not see one of them that are a bit over weight.

dugoutgeorge said...

In Minnesota we call it Tator Tot Hotdish but I haven't used milk in it, I'll have to try that but I use creamed corn in it.

Lucie said...

I'm trying it for the first time tonight (with some grated cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs on top). I'll also add some chopped green onions and garlic to it too. I'll post on the the results later.

Wilcox Family said...

Has anyone tried a different type of soup? I would love to make this but not sure what other soup to use? (reason is there is an allergy to that soup).

Anonymous said...

I love the show and although I am 44 yrs old I wish the Duggers would adopt me. God bless.

Anonymous said...

I tried your version delicious I can't wait to make it gor my nephews.

Anonymous said...

My grandmother introduced us to Tator Tot casserole around 30 years ago. I am still making it because my husband loves it. We layer with mixed veggies, and I also chopped tots in with my hamburger for more texture. Also add a little mushroom soup in with meat mixture. It is always better at leftover time. YUM!! Roxanne

Anonymous said...

I agree with a couple of the other comments that most of what I see the Duggars eat is terribly overprocessed and unhealthy. It would be wonderful if they made different food choices and set a better example of healthy eating for so many who watch the show, respect the family, and want to do as they do.

kate said...

Okay I just made this for my family. I used taco seasoning for my ground beef and used a can of mushroom soup and a can of chicken soup. The tater tots were mushy and it was very salty. I also topped it with cheddar cheese. My family ate it but asked for me not to make it again. Wondering where I went wrong with what I did. Any suggestions?

Anonymous said...

Greetings!
The Duggars are one of the very few reality families that keep it real. Like a few of the other posts, I agree about their food choices.
It can't be easy feeding a family of that size, however ... there are ways to cut down on the prepared foods, not to mention the huge amount of garbage that it produces.
I'm sure they could find more eco friendly ways.
Otherwise, they appear to be a well balanced family.

Jordyn said...

Kate, taco seasoning tends to be salty. I would avoid that and try to season with more herbs/less salt. Remember, you can always add seasoning after you have dished it up, but you can never remove it. As far as eating habits go, we only see a small portion of their lives when watching the show. Just because we see them eating not so healthy foods, it doesnt mean they arent eating them when the cameras arent around. They all seem very healthy and active.

Ginger said...

Jordyn & Kate,
Homemade taco seasoning doesn't need to have any salt at all. :D

Anonymous said...

@Anonymous
I think the British and the Aussie's call 'Tater Tots' Potato Gems! :)

Anonymous said...

I have used cream of celery soup instead of the cream of chicken.

Anonymous said...

I love to cook and will definitely try this recipe. To those who criticize the way the Duggars eat, silly....we don't live with them to see what they eat all the time, and naturally kids will run around, not because of sugar, but because they are children and have the energy. The problem today is lack of exercise....I grew up without computers and the like. Always ate sweets and healthy food, but because I was active I was also healthy.

Amy Preston said...

I can't wait to try this.For the comment about food choices. Worry about your own family.Plus try feeding that many kids and see what you feed them then?lol

Bernice Albert said...

I just did this for supper tonight and its delicious, my husband and kids loved it too they even asked me to do it again :) thanks for sharing we love you Duggars Family from a Canadian fan :)

Anonymous said...

Should I be cooking the tator tots before layering them on the casserole? Or do I put them on frozen?

Lily and Ellie said...

@Anonymous

Hi Anonymous,

Just add them frozen.

Enjoy your tater tot casserole!
Lily and Ellie

Amber Mercer said...

I love the recipe as is but have played with it a little also just for some variety. I used Slap Your Momma Cajun Seasoning to season the meat which I did 1/4 lb each of pork,beef,chicken, and turkey. And I added 1 small conatiner of sour cream to the soups but used Coconut Almond breeze Milk instead of the evaporated. Was great! But hen it is always good however it is cooked.

Anonymous said...

You could make your own cream of chicken soup or find an organic brand with no MSG and use that instead. For homemade: Use 1 tsp "Better than bouillon" Chicken bouillon to 1 cup water. Then make a roux using 1 TBS butter and 1 TBS flour. Melt the butter and add the four and cook for a couple of minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon until thick and creamy. I also, sometimes add a bit of garlic, basil and oregano.

Anonymous said...

Its not your family. So its not your place to say what they should eat. I hate it how others judge one another. Worry about yourself. And your family!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

You can make a tex-mex take on this...use nacho or cheddar soup, sour cream or yogurt, and salsa! Have made this using tots and hashbrowns. Personally I think two pounds of meat for 16 people is quite low on protein so I always use one pound per four people.

Tami Minor said...

I am going to try it on Saturday. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Once we made this but the store was out of tator tots do we used frozen hashbrowns. Just as yummy.

Anonymous said...

Just made it! About to try it! Very excited, i've wanted to try it for awhile!!!!

Jess said...

I halved it as well I come from a big family, but not quite Duggar big. I added some cheese and old bay to my evaporated milk and cream of mushroom soup mixture. I also layered it a bit different tots, then meat, then soup mixture, repeat and have a layer of tots at the top. It was a huge hit with my family

Anonymous said...

I have an allergy to the wheat in most of the cream soups so I make my own cream soup with cornstarch or rice flour (which ever I have on hand) instead of the wheat flour. I really like this recipe because I have a fondness for oreida crispy rounds which is what I use to make this. They are also gluten free.

Anonymous said...

@Anonymous

Honestly, are any of those kids fat? Absolutely not! They've been raised on this stuff, too, like any good Southern family.

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to try the tater tot casserole.Thanks for everyone's different recipes. Blessings!

Anonymous said...

I remember seeing them make this on an episode a few years ago. I am so glad I found this! I am going to make it for dinner tonight.

And as for people talking about the eating habits of this family, mind your own business. I have not seen ONE person in this family that is overweight or sits on their rear end eating junk food all day. What did you have for lunch? Was is rabbit food? Mind your own business.

Thanks for the recipe!

Anonymous said...

I tried this last night it was great. i love that there are so many variations you can use,I.E. ground chicken, turkey, or ground beef. so many ways to mix it up. I am a stay at home Dad so it gets hard to find variety especially with young kids. look forward to more recipes.

Anonymous said...

@Anonymous Normal healthy little children are just energetic all the time anyway. I sincerely doubt they are "on a sugar hi". Watch carefully, they also eat alot of fruit, veggies they grow themselves and other un-processed foods too. Yes the older children are capable of cooking and probably could do a great "from scratch" job. However if you had 20+ people to feed (don't forget they often have friends and relatives there) EVERY DAY, I doubt you'd have the engergy or time to cook every meal from scratch either!! Also they live a fairly active rural (Country) life style and do a fair bit of manual labour (when is the last time you laundered for 20 on a weekly basis?) I think they are doing a great job of raising their kids and the approach food and meal times the same way they do everything else, firstly with thanks to God, all foods in moderation, good sensible portion sizes (uncommon for you Yanks where everything seems to be upsized and overly large as a matter of course - that would account for the obesity epidemic!!)and commonsense. As someone outside your American Culture, I think they're doing ok so Fair Dinkum Give a Bloke a go (That's Aussie for give em a break!)

Anonymous said...

I'm from australia
what are Tater Tots?

Lily and Ellie said...

@Anonymous

Hi Anonymous,

Tater tots are like hash browns. They are sliced pieces of deep-fried potatoes.

~Lily and Ellie

Anonymous said...

@Anonymous
Why is it that there always has to be a Debbie Downer/Critic?? I cannot believe you made the statement "No wonder why the kids are always running around the house, They are on a sugar high" Unreal , I do not know of any household that has kids that don't run around the house? Did you make your children sit quietly in the house 24/7? How Pathetic!! You must be the perfect version of a Betty Crocker with your homemade attitude huh? They cook plenty of homemade foods. This is just showing versions of some of their favorite recipes.. Its none of your business what they feed their children.. Take your critical statements and apply them someplace else, (Like in your own life) !