Vegan Tater Tot Casserole

Serves: 4–6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the “Gravy & Veggies” Base:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups mushrooms, chopped
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups unsweetened plant milk (soy, oat, or almond)
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• Salt & pepper, to taste

For Topping:

• 3–4 cups frozen tater tots
• ½ cup vegan shredded cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish lightly.
2. Cook the veggies:
   In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Add mushrooms and carrots; cook 5–7 minutes until slightly softened. Stir in peas.
3. Make the sauce:
   Sprinkle flour over veggies, stir for 1 minute. Gradually add plant milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Stir in nutritional yeast, soy sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3–5 minutes until thickened.
4. Assemble the casserole:
   Pour veggie gravy into the prepared baking dish. Smooth evenly. Arrange tater tots on top in a single layer. Sprinkle vegan cheese over the tater tots, if using.
5. Bake:
   Bake 25–30 minutes, until tater tots are golden and crispy. Optional: broil for 2–3 minutes for extra crispiness.
6. Serve:
   Let cool 5 minutes, then serve warm.