Cheeseburger Totdish

Cheeseburger Totdish like Hotdish, Tot, Hot... I crack myself up. So if I'm not mistaken, Hotdish hails from the Midwest, and is typically a combination of ground meat, saucy goodness, and a layer of potatoes. I thought of it as a perfect vehicle to stuff all the yummy components of a cheeseburger into one pan.

Ketchupy, mustardy ground beef is layered with cheddar cheese and cripsy tater tots. While it's bubbly and hot, I top it with all the burger fixings - tomatoes, lettuce, onions and pickles - and a drizzle of tangy, creamy sauce.

Cheeseburger Totdish is a great make-ahead meal, and I'm sure would be a welcomed treat for new moms, maybe an under-the-weather friend.

Cheeseburger Totdish

Ingredients

· 2 tbsp olive oil

· 1lb ground meat, turkey or beef

· 1 small onion, diced

· 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

· 1 tsp salt

· ½ tsp Trader Joe’s Umami Seasoning Blend

· ½ tsp pepper

· ¾ cup tomato sauce (not marinara)

· 1 tbsp ketchup

· 1 tbsp yellow mustard

· 3 tbsp sweet relish

· 4-6 slices cheddar cheese

· 4-5 cups frozen tater tots

· ½ tsp seasoned salt (Lawry’s)

· 1 cup lettuce, shredded

· 1 tomato, sliced

· ¼ cup pickle chips

· 2 tbsp red onion, minced

For the sauce

· 2 tbsp mayo

· 1 tbsp ketchup

· 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

· 1 tbsp relish

· ¼ tsp onion powder

· ¼ tsp garlic powder

· ¼ tsp paprika

· ½ tsp sugar

· ¼ tsp black pepper

Heat oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add the ground meat. Crumble and brown the meat. Reduce the heat to medium low and add the onion. Cook until translucent. Season with Worcestershire, salt, pepper, and umami seasoning. Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard and relish. Pour the mixture into a greased, deep 3-qt baking dish.

Preheat oven to 425F.

Top the mixture with an even layer of cheese slices. Align the tater tots in rows across the dish covering as much of the cheese layer as possible. Sprinkle seasoned salt over the tots. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the tater tots are golden brown.

While baking, whisk together all ingredients for the sauce and set aside.

Before serving, top the hot dish with lettuce, tomato slices, pickle chips, minced onion, and a drizzle of the sauce.

Serves 4

Notes

If you cannot find the Trader Joe’s Umami Seasoning Blend, substitute with a handful of minced mushrooms and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Add the mushrooms with the onions and allow to brown.

For this recipe, you’re looking for a dish smaller than a 13x9 baking pan, but deeper than a typical 2-qt pan to achieve the right tot to meat ratio, as well as afford for a various toppings.

Gluten Free Friendly!