The Minnesota hot dish is another product of a community attempting to make due with the resources that they were provided with. The hot dish came to fruition via budget-minded farm wives that needed a hearty meal that could feed an entire family the fill necessary in order to continue normal work habits. What most city-dwelling folks might consider your average casserole is actually a delicacy to many throughout the Midwest. The Minnesota hot dish has become a staple at large holiday gatherings, church functions, banquets, and your average night in.
For those of you wondering the hot dish consists of a crispy, baked tater tot base covered with cooked ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and mixed vegetables topped by a layer of smoldering cheddar cheese and an additional layer of tater tots. It's an extremely easy dish to recreate and remix to add different elements and flavors to your liking. The hot dish is so popular in Minnesota, the state's congressional delegation holds an annual competition to see who can make the best rendition of the casserole.