Fully Loaded Tater Tot Casserole for #SundaySupper

Today the #SundaySupper crew is sharing Captivating Casseroles. Before deciding on my dish, I started with the question: what exactly is a casserole?

A casserole, from the French word casse, refers to a large, deep dish used both in the oven and as a serving vessel. The word also describes the food cooked and served in said a vessel. So, essentially, a casserole refers to anything cooked in a casserole dish. Okay.

So a lasagna is a casserole? According to this definition, yes, an Italian casserole. A shepherd's pie is a casserole? Sure, a British casserole. Here's what I brought to the table...in my casserole dish.

 My three boys eyed the dish suspiciously. I explained the project and shared the definition.

"I've seen you bake cakes in that dish." noted Jake.

"So, those cakes are casseroles?" posed R.

Yes. I guess they are.

"Cool. A cake casserole," said R.

D just stared at the pan. It probably didn't help that I had teased: D, this recipe is from your people.

"What do you mean my people?"

People in Oklahoma make casseroles - 

"And you were born in Oklahoma," interrupted R.

"I know where I was born," snapped the Wom. "Why do the people in Oklahoma make casseroles?"

No idea. But I know that they do.

When D was born, I was part of a moms' club. And many of the members graciously brought dinner over to the house so that I didn't have to cook for awhile. Meal trains are a god-send for new moms. But during that week or two after we came home from the hospital, I saw more casseroles than I had seen in my entire life. It was one of those that I decided to replicate: a fully loaded tater tot casserole with all the beloved toppings on a baked potato - sour cream, green onions, and cheese! You can buy the tater tots, certainly, but I made mine.

Ingredients
For the Tater Tots

• 6-7 large red potatoes
• 1/2 C shredded cheese (I had a medium sharp cheddar)
• freshly ground sea salt
• freshly ground pepper
• canola oil

For the Casserole

• 1 onion, peeled and diced
• 2 stalks of celery, sliced
• pat of butter
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 C pancetta, cubed
• 2 T parsley, chopped
• 1 T dill, chopped
• freshly ground salt
• freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 t ground paprika
• 1 C organic sour cream
• 1 C medium cheddar, shredded
• 4 green onions, trimmed and thinly sliced
• enough tater tots to cover the top of your casserole

Procedure
For the Tater Tots

Preheat oven to  400°F. Scrub the potatoes clean and roast until they are fork tender. Cool them rapidly by plunging them in ice water. Change the water, and repeat, until the potatoes are cool. Shred the potatoes on the large holes of a box grater.

Place the other ingredients into the bowl - except the canola oil - with the grated potatoes and use a fork to fully combine everything. Line a baking dish with parchment paper and brush it with oil.

Preheat oven to  425°F. Using about a teaspoon of the potato mixture, form it into a cylinder about 1 inch long. Place on baking sheet and repeat until all the tots are made. Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, turning once about 20 minutes into the cooking time.

For the Casserole
In a large, flat-bottom pan, brown your onions and celery in a pat of butter. Once the onions are translucent and softened, add in the beef and pancetta. Cook completely. Season with herbs, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Stir in the sour cream and spoon the mixture into your baking dish. Sprinkle with green onions.

Layer with shredded cheese, then arrange the tater tots over the top. Bake for 20 minutes - till the cheese is melted and the meat mixture is bubbling below.

To serve, scoop portions into bowls.

Here's what the rest of the crew brought to the table...

Captivating Breakfast Casseroles

• Boozy Baked French Toast from Brunch with Joy
• Orange & Date Wife Saver Breakfast Casserole from A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen
• Spinach, Sausage and Polenta Breakfast Casserole from The Redhead Baker

Appetizing Casserole Sides

• Baked Cauli-Tots Casserole from Cupcake and Kale Chips
• Savory Sweet Potato and Sausage Bread Pudding from Nik Snacks
• Shredded Brussels Sprouts Casserole from Take A Bite Out of Boca

Main Event Casseroles

• Artichoke and Spinach Macaroni and Cheese Casserole from Ruffles & Truffles
• Baked Penne with Roasted Cauliflower and Italian Sausage from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Bison Meatloaf Casserole from Jane's Adventures in Dinner
• Cheesy Chicken Corkscrew Casserole from Recipes Food and Cooking
• Cheesy, Creamy, Cauliflower and Sausage Casserole from Eating In Instead
• Chicken Enchiladas from Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
• Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Bake from Alida's Kitchen
• Chicken Ramen Mini Casseroles from The Ninja Baker
• Chicken with Whole Grains Casserole from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
• Chinese Noodle Casserole from Momma's Meals
• Crab Casserole for Two from Magnolia Days
• Homemade Poppy Seed Chicken from Food Done Light
• Fully Loaded Tater Tot Casserole from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• King Ranch Casserole from The Texan New Yorker
• King Ranch Mac and Cheese from The Weekend Gourmet
• Baked Ziti with Meatballs from Curious Cuisiniere
• Mexican Lasagna from MealDiva
• Mom's Taco Casserole from Lifestyle Food Artistry
• Moroccan Polenta Casserole from Pancake Warriors
• Moussaka from Nosh My Way
• Neeps & Tatties Casserole from Happy Baking Days
• Quick No Boil Tuna Pasta Bake from Mess Makes Food
• Sausage Peppers and Onion Pasta Casserole from Family Foodie
• Southwestern Spaghetti Pie from The Messy Baker
• Cheesy, Layered Italian Pasta Torta from La Bella Vita Cucina
• Stove-top Four Cheese Mac and Cheese from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Supreme Pizza Strata from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Sweet Corn and Green Chile Chicken Tamale Pie from Simply Healthy Family
• Taco Casserole from Peanut Butter and Peppers

Decadent Dessert and Sweet Casseroles

• Baked Lemon Dessert from Food Lust People Love
• The Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls from Pies and Plots
• Butterscotch Bread Pudding from The Foodie Army Wife
• Classic Apple Crisp from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Ultimate Deep Dish Brownies from Recipe for Perfection
• Vegan Oreo Rice Krispie Treats from Killer Bunnies, Inc

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET.  Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. 

Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos. 

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.