I made this easy Lightened-Up Slow Cooker Tater Casserole this week. I will be making this instead of my favorite comfort food Tater Tot Casserole when I am trying to eat healthier. My husband and I really enjoyed the meal! I used refrigerated style shredded hash browns in place of the tater tots. Replacing the tater tots with the hash browns cut the majority of the calories in the dish. Other changes I made was I used low-fat meat, healthy request cream of mushroom soup, and used weight watchers cheese.
Are any of you fan of Jim Gaffigan? He is on tour again and we just got our tickets! He will be in town on our anniversary, I seriously can’t think of a better way to celebrate it! I also just saw that there will be a show called The Jim Gaffigan Show! Woot woot! I am hoping this will be as good as Seinfeld! I can’t wait to see it.
Also this week I just got word that I will be signing my cookbook at the local Eugene, Oregon Barnes & Noble. I have waited to hear from them for a few months, I finally called again and got it booked. Talk about sweating bullets people. If you are local, I would love to see you April 11th. I will be signing books from 5-7:30pm!
I think if you are a fan of tater tot casserole, and want to try a lightened up version, you will love this! Enjoy!
- 2 (10.75-oz.) cans Healthy Request cream of mushroom soup
- ¼ cup fat free milk
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- ¼ tsp. onion powder
- 1 lb. 4% fat ground beef, browned and drained
- 1 (20-oz.) bag shredded hash browns (note these are the refrigerated ones, not frozen)
- 3 cups stemmed and cut fresh green beans (I bought a ½ pound)
- 2 cups Weight Watchers cheese (I use Mexican blend shredded- package says 5 grams fat per serving)
- In a large bowl, whisk together the 2 cans of cream of mushroom, milk, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Then stir in the browned meat, shredded hash browns and green beans.
- Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray. Add the mixture you just made into the slow cooker, and gently flatten it.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours, without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- During the last 15 minutes add the shredded cheese. Cover and let the cheese melt.
- Serve and enjoy!
Kris says
March 8, 2015 at 9:58 amHi Sarah, This looks delicious. I didn’t see anywhere what you did with the green beans. Did you precook them or just add them in with the beef and hash browns?
Sarah Olson says
March 8, 2015 at 10:53 amThanks for letting me know. I did not precook them, I stirred them in with the beef and hashbrowns. 🙂
Kris says
March 8, 2015 at 11:10 amOh that’s great. Just got back from the store. It’s going in the slow cooker now. Thanks again.
Rita says
March 8, 2015 at 12:09 pmThis looks delicious!! If I can’t find refrigerated shredded hash browns, can I use thawed frozen ones?
Sarah Olson says
March 8, 2015 at 1:39 pmI haven’t tried it yet with those. I would think it would be ok. The refrigerated hash browns are next to the eggs. 🙂
Grandma Kc says
March 8, 2015 at 4:03 pmJenna and I are always looking for new ideas like this! Thanks!
kellysparklesandshoes says
March 8, 2015 at 6:04 pmThis looks and sounds amazing, yum!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Food Done Light (@FoodDoneLight) says
March 9, 2015 at 5:37 amHasbrowns were a great way to lighten this dish
Rachael says
March 9, 2015 at 8:01 amMy kids love hash browns and cheese with anything. I love the healthy changes. Thanks:) and congratulations on your upcoming book signing. So cool!!!
The Foodie Affair says
March 9, 2015 at 5:59 pmThis looks tasty! Love that you can use shredded hashbrowns! You gotta post some photos at your book signing events! Can’t wait to see you in action!
valeriebrunmeier says
March 9, 2015 at 7:27 pmThis looks so comforting and I love that it’s a bit healthier..yum! Jim Gaffigan is hilarious. You guys will have a blast.
Come to a Barnes & Noble in Nor Cal so I can get you to sign a copy for meeeee!!!
Marion@Life Tastes Good says
March 10, 2015 at 5:43 amShredded hashbrowns are a great idea in place of the tater tots! This sounds delicious! Good luck with the book signing! Wish I could be there, but I do hope to see pics!
Renee's Kitchen Adventures says
March 10, 2015 at 6:00 amI love that you lightened this up. I’ve never had tater tot casserole.
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
March 10, 2015 at 7:13 amThis sounds amazing! 🙂 And love that the slow cooker does all the work- perfect for a busy weeknight!
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
March 10, 2015 at 8:25 amThis is such a fabulous recipe idea, Sarah! I will be trying it soon!
Rebecca says
May 6, 2015 at 7:40 amHi- I’m making this tonight. Do you have the nutrition information? I’m on weight watchers so I need to calculate the points. I’m going to substitute the beef with ground turkey. Thanks!
Sarah Olson says
May 7, 2015 at 5:24 amSorry I am just getting back to you. I had figured out the nutrition and lost it. But I just got the nutritional information for you from My Recipe Magic. If you click on the Magic button that is under the recipe box, (then click on nutrition), you will find the info! I hope this helps.
Rebecca says
May 7, 2015 at 11:16 amI found it, thank you!!! I made it last night and it was a hit with my whole family 🙂