Categories: ground beef

Ingredients

• 1 (10-ounce ) can cream of mushroom or chicken soup
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1/2 cup of chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion
• 1/4 cup of chopped green bell pepper
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
• 1/2 pound of smoked sausage, chopped, optional
• 1 tablespoon of fresh basil
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 pound package of frozen tater tots

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter or spray a 9 × 9 inch casserole dish with non-stick spray; set aside. Whisk together the cream soup and milk until well blended; set aside.

2. Add olive oil to a large skillet and saute the onion and bell pepper until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ground beef and brown; drain if needed and return to the skillet. Add the minced garlic, cook and stir another minute. Add in the chopped smoked sausage and cook about 3 minutes. Stir in the basil, thyme, Cajun seasoning; taste and add salt and pepper only as needed. Transfer meat mixture to the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the cheddar cheese. Evenly pour the soup mixture over the top. Arrange the tater tots on top and bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until potatoes are nicely browned and crisp. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded cheese on top and return to the oven just until cheese is melted.

3. Serve immediately with a green vegetable or a mixed garden salad.

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