Manwich Tater Tot Casserole

(Last Updated On: April 8, 2024)

This Manwich Tater Tot Casserole is an easy recipe that the whole family will love.  Enjoy this comfort food casserole tonight!

This post brought to you by Manwich. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Food Wine Sunshine.

It’s Monday, homework has to be done – which the kids are not happy about, it’s almost time for baseball practice and you have no idea what to make for dinner. It has to be quick and something you feel good about feeding your family. I know you have been there before. I know I can’t be the only one! Manwich Monday to the rescue! Now, of course, our favorite way to enjoy Manwich is a Sloppy Joe, but I decided to get a bit creative with our Manwich Monday this week. I snuck in some veggies 😉 I made my family Manwich Tater Tot Casserole!

The best part is that you probably have all the ingredients for this delicious casserole right in your pantry and freezer.

For Manwich Tater Tot Casserole you just need a can of corn (I used the Fiesta variety), a can of your favorite Manwich Sauce (Original, Bold, or Thick and Chunky), lean ground beef, Crispy Crowns or Tater Tots, some onion, and some cheese.

From start to finish, you will have a fun twist on a family favorite dinner on the table in about 30 minutes! To get started making this easy comfort food dish you saute the onions in a large skillet, I recommend one that is 12 inches so that you can plenty of room for mixing everything together.  Once your onions are translucent, you will brown the lean ground beef (I know it costs a little more, but I try to save on the fat in our meals when I can), add in the canned corn and your favorite can of Manwich.  Be sure to mix everything together well before you pour the meat mixture into your 8×8 baking dish.  I used my Pyrex Baking Dish, I’ve had it for as long as I can remember and since it still works great and cleans easy, I see no point in replacing it.

Once the meat mixture is in your baking dish, you just layer on the tater tots.  I actually used the crispy crown variety, you can use whatever you have on hand!  I have made it with both varieties and it’s equally as delicious.

Don’t forget the cheese…

Fun Fact: My Manwich Tater Tot Casserole is Similar to a Minnesota Staple

This dish is similar to a Minnesota staple known as Tater Tot Hotdish. But where did this dish come from? Some say it was created by a mom trying to use up leftover potatoes and ground beef. Others claim it was created by a clever marketing team at the Ore-Ida company in the 1950s.

Whatever the true origins of Tater Tot Hotdish, one thing is for sure: it’s delicious, and so is my take on it! The original recipe of Tater Tot Hotdish features onion, ground beef, green beans, corn, mushroom soup, and tater tots. My take on this recipe features original Manwich and fiesta corn. And, I topped it with cheese because, well, it just tastes better with cheese!

This dish has everything you need – carbs, protein, and lots of cheese. So whether you’re looking for a hearty meal or just something really tasty to bring to a potluck, Tater Tot Hotdish or my Manwich Tater Tot Casserole is always a good choice.

What’s in a can of Manwich?

When it comes to food, there are some things that just defy explanation. Take a can of Manwich, for example. This sandwich filling produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt’s has been around for decades – since 1969 to be exact – and yet its very existence is a mystery. Just what is this classic saucy concoction, and why does it have such a hold on the American public?

Manwich is basically a sauce with a tomato base intended to be added to cooked ground beef that is mixed and then used as a filling for sandwiches. The sauce is made from a variety of different ingredients, including tomato puree, vinegar, and corn syrup. Then, the mixture is then seasoned with various spices and dried vegetables to give it its signature flavor.

Today though, there are four different flavors of Manwich:

1. Original
2. Bourbon BBQ
3. Bold
4. Thick & Chunky

So why do people love the Manwich so much? That’s hard to say. Some say it’s because of the nostalgia factor from growing up with their Manwich sandwiches for dinner. Others just feel it’s darn tasty. To me, it’s a little of both. It’s a lot of fun taking convenience sauces like this and dreaming up new dishes.

If you have a sauce or signature ingredient you think would make for a fun recipe, contact me! I’d love to work with you!

Now, here’s my recipe for Manwich Tater Tot Casserole, be sure to Print It and Pin It so that you can make it again and again.

 

I hope you and your family enjoy this Manwich Tater Tot Casserole as much as we do!

Manwich is a hearty sauce with a sweet and tangy taste and it also has the kid-stopping power, as your children will love Manwich at dinner, which will keep them (and you!) away from video games or texting! Manwich is a great, easy, quality ingredient that you can use to bring your family’s attention back to mealtime and away from the everyday distractions.

Did you know that there is no meat in Manwich? That’s right, so if you have a vegetarian at home, you can still enjoy the saucy-deliciousness of Manwich at dinner time! Think of it on tacos, pasta, and oh-so-much more!

Here’s another fun recipe using Manwich:

Sloppy Joe Biscuit Cups

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