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Cozy Classic Minnesota Hotdish Recipe with Crispy Topping

Minnesota Hotdish Recipe - featured image

A comforting and easy-to-make Minnesota hotdish featuring a creamy, savory filling topped with a golden, crispy layer of French fried onions and cheddar cheese. Perfect for cold nights and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey (lean)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
  • 2 cups cooked white rice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups French fried onions
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown 1 pound of ground beef or turkey until no pink remains, about 7-8 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
  3. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup and sour cream. Stir until smooth.
  5. Add the cooked meat mixture, frozen mixed vegetables, cooked rice, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme to the creamy soup mixture. Stir gently to combine evenly.
  6. Spread the filling evenly into a prepared 9×13-inch casserole dish or oven-safe skillet. Smooth the top with a spatula.
  7. In a small bowl, mix the French fried onions with shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
  8. Evenly sprinkle the crispy topping mixture over the filling, covering every corner.
  9. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown and crispy. If the topping browns too fast, loosely tent with foil.
  10. Let the hotdish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to firm up.

Notes

Drain excess grease after browning meat to avoid soggy base. Fold ingredients gently to keep rice texture. If topping browns too quickly, cover with foil. For extra crisp, broil 1-2 minutes at end, watching carefully. Frozen veggies can be used without thawing. Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a healthier twist. Use gluten-free crispy onions or crackers for gluten-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: Minnesota hotdish, comfort food, casserole, crispy topping, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, ground turkey recipe, creamy casserole