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Texas Tater Casserole
This hearty vegetarian casserole delivers big Tex-Mex flavors with minimal prep work. A savory base of soy-protein crumbles, sweet corn, and chunky salsa is bound together with rich cheddar cheese soup. The entire dish is crowned with a generous layer of crispy potato nuggets for a satisfying textural contrast. Because it is designed as a make-ahead freezer meal, you can assemble it on the weekend and bake it later for a completely stress-free weeknight dinner. It bakes up golden and incredibly comforting.
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
- 1 medium stalk celery, chopped (½ cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 cups frozen soy-protein crumbles (from 12-oz package)
- 2 cans (10¾ oz each) condensed Cheddar cheese soup
- 1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained
- ½ cup chunky-style salsa
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 4½ cups frozen potato nuggets (from 32-oz bag)
- ½ cup shredded taco-seasoned cheese blend (2 oz)
Instructions
- 1Coat a 12-inch skillet generously with cooking spray and place it over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and garlic, spraying the vegetables lightly with more cooking spray. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in the frozen soy-protein crumbles, cheddar cheese soup, drained corn, salsa, chili powder, and black pepper. Transfer the mixture to an ungreased 2.5-quart casserole dish and arrange the frozen potato nuggets in an even layer on top.
- 2Wrap the casserole dish tightly to prepare it for freezing. You can store it in the freezer for up to three months. When you are ready to enjoy the meal, transfer the dish to the refrigerator and let it thaw completely overnight.
- 3Preheat your oven to 375°F. Remove the cover from the thawed casserole and bake for 40 minutes. Scatter the taco-seasoned cheese blend evenly over the potato nuggets. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the edges are bubbling and the cheese is completely melted.