Secret Ingredient Tater Tot Casserole

Ok, ok I know this is pretty hilarious, posting a tater tot casserole in a food blog. And saying that it has a secret ingredient. I also realize that if any of our 10 readers are foodies, we're really in trouble because that will bring our numbers down to 9. But I will accept the consequences of posting about Napoleon Dynamite's favorite food. And I promise, I'm not even from Idaho. Or close. Although Idaho is beautiful. In the summer. But (some of) the hairstyles are scary.
Back to my point post.  I have been making this casserole since I was first married. And one night I thought "hmmm...since this tastes so good with ketchup, why not substitute half the milk called for with ketchup?" So I did!! And I could tell, just tasting the soup mixture with the ketchup, that this was a winner. Seriously! My secret ingredient is ketchup. This is the only casserole my kids will eat, even my picky 4 year old twins. It's really good, really easy, and totally kid proof. Even husband proof. My husband and I used to eat this even before we had kids. So there you have it. Tater tot casserole in a food blog, who knew?

Secret Ingredient Tater Tot Casserole
Print Recipe
 Makes about 6-8 servings

Ingredients:
1 pound Ground Beef
1 Tablespoon Dried Minced Onion
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/8-1/4  teaspoon Pepper
1 10 oz. can Cream of Chicken Soup
1/3 cup Milk
1/3 cup Ketchup
1 15 oz. can Yellow Corn, drained
1 32 oz. Bag Tater Tots (you will use roughly 2/3 of the bag)

Preheat oven to 400. Place ground beef in a skillet over the stove. Sprinkle with minced onion, salt, and pepper. Cook over heat until no longer pink. While meat is browning, spray a glass 8 x 11 (2 quart) dish generously with cooking spray. Place cream of chicken soup, milk, and ketchup right into the dish and stir til mixed together well. Add drained corn and stir. Add browned beef mixture and stir again. Place tater tots over casserole until completely covered. Like I said, you will probably use a little over half of the bag. Bake, uncovered, until tater tots have browned and casserole is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Serve with extra ketchup if desired! (we always desire this.)

Recipe Source: http://www.ourcookingcafe.com/