Tater Tot Casserole (recipe Included)

We made this last year when Q and I had a cookie decorating extravangaza.

We just had it recently-cooked in the toaster oven of course!

Here is the recipe =)

Beef Vegetables and Tater Tots Casserole Recipe

Serves/Makes: 6

INGREDIENTS:

2 cans DelMonte French Cut Green Beans (drained)

OR,

2 cans Veg-All Mixed vegetables (drained)  <--- We used Can corn, Regular Green Beans and Carrots

1 small can chopped mushrooms (drained)  <--- nope

1 pound ground beef

1 sweet type onion (as Vidalia, if available) peeled, chopped

2 tablespoons bacon drippings or shortening (if needed for browning the above)

1 clove garlic, crushed, peeled, minced (optional)

1/2 small can Tomato Paste

2 tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon table salt

2 teaspoons Kitchen Bouquet Browning Sauce

3 tablespoons Half & Half or Cream

1 Small Bag Frozen Tater Tots

1/3 stick butter, melted or Butter Spray



PREPARATION:

Preheat Oven to 375 Degrees F. Drain vegetables of choice and place them in a buttered 2 or 3 quart casserole dish. Brown beef and peeled and chopped onion, adding a little fat only if needed. Break meat up small. Add crushed, peeled and minced garlic (optional) and stir in well -- Do NOT brown garlic. Add tomato paste to meat, stirring it in to caramelize. Add sugar, salt, pepper. Stir in Kitchen Bouquet and Half & Half or Cream. Spread meat mixture over drained vegetables. Top with a layer of Tater Tots. Melt butter and drizzle over the top or spray with butter spray. Bake at 375 Degrees F. for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.