Hotdish
Tater tot hotdish | |
Course | Main or side dish |
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Place of origin | United States |
Region or state | Upper Midwest |
Main ingredients | Starch (potatoes, pasta, etc.), cream soup (typically cream of mushroom), meat, vegetables |
Part of a series on |
American cuisine |
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A hotdish (or hot dish) is a
A classic hotdish known as "tater tot hotdish" is traditionally made with
History

The history of the hotdish goes back to when "budget-minded farm wives needed to feed their own families, as well as congregations in the basements of the first Minnesota churches."[2]
Hotdish secured its popularity during the Great Depression, when grocery budgets required creative preparations for cheap foods, and the popularity continued into the rationing during World War II. It was likely preceded by an American dish known as "hot pot."[3]
According to Howard Mohr, author of How to Talk Minnesotan, "A traditional main course, hotdish is cooked and served hot in a single baking dish and commonly appears at family reunions and church suppers."[4] The most typical meat for many years has been ground beef, and cream of mushroom remains the favorite canned soup. In years past, a pasta was the most frequently used starch, but tater tots and local wild rice have become very popular as well.[5]
In 2016,
Hotdishes are filling, convenient, and easy to make. They are well-suited for family reunions, funerals, church suppers, and covered dish dinners or
Ingredients
Typical ingredients in hotdish are
Minnesota Congressional Hot Dish Competition
After the
For the second competition in March 2012, Franken's "Mom's
With 9 of the 10 members of the delegation participating in 2013, the winner was Congressman Walz's "Hermann the German Hotdish", which featured a bottle of August Schell beer, made locally in New Ulm, Minnesota.[10][11] Sen. Franken has also provided a free PDF version of the 2013 Hotdish Off collection of recipes.[12]
In 2014, all ten members participated, with Rep. Walz's "Turkey Trot Tater Tot Hotdish" winning. In 2015, again all ten participated, and Rep. McCollum's "Turkey, Sweet Potato, and Wild Rice" dish won.
Past winners
- 2011 Sen. Amy Klobuchar's Taconite Tater Tot Hot Dish
- 2012 Sen. Al Franken's Mom's Mahnomen Madness Hotdish and Rep. Chip Cravaack's Minnesota Wild Strata Hotdish (tie)
- 2013 Rep. Tim Walz's Hermann the German Hotdish
- 2014 Rep. Tim Walz's Turkey Trot Tater-Tot Hotdish
- 2015 Rep. Betty McCollum’s Turkey, Sweet Potato, and Wild Rice Hotdish
- 2016 Rep. Tim Walz’s Turkey Taco Tot Hotdish
- 2017 Rep. Collin Peterson’s Right to Bear Arms Hotdish
- 2018 Rep. Tom Emmer's Hotdish of Champions
- 2019 Rep. Betty McCollum's Hotdish A-Hmong Friends
In popular culture
Hotdish frequently appeared, along with other
Minnesota public television station KSMQ in Austin, Minnesota has produced a 2012 documentary video entitled "Minnesota Hotdish."[14] providing a historical and humorous look at the popular church supper and family gathering staple.
Hotdish was the main meal featured in the comedy-drama film Manny & Lo.
"Hot Dish" is the name of an Anchorage-based bluegrass band. Their band name was chosen as a nod to the Midwestern roots of three of the five band members.[15]
"Hot Dish" was the seventh track on
See also
References
- S2CID 144366477.
- ^ a b Harron, Hallie. (February 1996) "Heating up the heartland: Minnesota's signature hotdish combines heartiness, great taste and adaptability - includes recipes." Vegetarian Times. Archived 2008-12-22 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Tran, Lina (15 May 2016). "Everything You Need to Know About Hotdish". Eater. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ "Frequently answered questions about the Hotdish Hoedown". 2007-01-12. Archived from the original on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2012-07-13.
- ^ a b "Klobuchar wins congressional hot dish competition". KARE 11. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2011.
- ^ Christman, Pat. "Mankato cookbook gets credit for first hot dish recipe". MPRNEWS. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
- ISBN 978-1-55832-145-8. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ISBN 978-0-7627-3895-3. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ a b Mohr, H. (1987). How to Talk Minnesotan. New York: Penguin Books.
- ^ Bachmann vs. Franken: Minnesota Pols Dish Up Rivalry at ‘Hotdish Off’ Archived 2019-12-25 at the Wayback Machine, ABC News, accessed April 25, 2013
- ^ Seale, Taylor (10 April 2013). "Rep. Walz wins Sen. Franken's cook-off competition". The Hill. Archived from the original on 14 April 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
- ^ "Dish it out like a politician: Franken releases recipe book from annual competition". Winona Daily News. Winona, Minnesota. 4 May 2013. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
- ^ Dennis, Pat. (1999). Hotdish to Die For. Minneapolis: Penury.
- ^ "Minnesota Hotdish: The Documentary," MinnPost.com, Minneapolis, Minnesota Archived 2023-11-13 at the Wayback Machine, accessed May 11, 2013
- ^ Kopet, Jeri. "Bluegrass Favorites Hot Dish are Back". The Anchorage Press. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2017-12-16.
- ^ Borchers, Sydney (2024-08-21). "Governor Tim Walz goes viral after posting family's recipe for 'turkey trot tater-tot hotdish'". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
Further reading
- Burckhardt, Ann (2006). Hot Dish Heaven: Classic Casseroles From Midwestern Kitchens. St. Paul, Minn.: Minnesota Historical Society Press. ISBN 9780873515689.
- Cooney, Jeanne (2013). Hotdish Heaven: A Murder-Mystery Novel With Recipes. St. Cloud, Minn.: North Star Press of St. Cloud. ISBN 9780878396450.
- Dennis, Pat (2005). Hotdish Haiku. Richfield, Minn.: Penury Press. ISBN 9780967634432.