Hidden Veggie Tater tot Casserole

                                                                                                     My Husband really is not real big on Vegetables.  He likes corn, green beans and my glazed carrots.  I do my best to sneak a few veggies into casseroles for his and our daughters benefit.  So far our little girl LIKES vegetables but since she is only about 18 months old, we will see how long that lasts.   Tater tot casserole has always been comfort food for me.  I know its not low calorie, but I only serve it occasionally and the added vegetables have to help.  I really don't have a recipe, more of a method. using whatever vegetables I have on hand.  Once again these prices reflect what I spent at Winco this week.

1 pound ground beef or ground turkey- $2.98
1 onion diced= .13 cents
1 stalk celery diced- .05 cents
1 carrot cut into match sticks and diced- .05 cents
1 Tbs Butter-.25cents
1/2 cup frozen peas-.19 cents
2 cans cream of chicken soup=$1.44
1 soup can of Milk-.25 cents
2 cups cheese-$2.16
1 bag tater tots-1.34
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                                                                            total    $ 8.84-
                                                                          12 servings-  .74 cents a serving
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Preheat oven to 350 F.  Melt butter in skillet till hot. Add onion, celery, and carrots.  Brown vegetables until softened.  I add about 1/2 cup of water to skillet after about 5 to 8 minutes, cover and steam the vegetables a little.  Add ground meat and brown, season with black pepper.  Drain grease.
Spray a 9x13 casserole pan with cooking spray.  Add 1/2 bag of tater tots to casserole.  Add peas to meat mixture and cream of chicken soups.  Add milk and mix well.  Pour over tater tots and mix in pan.  Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese and mix again.  Top the casserole with tater tots.  I place each one individually so they are all lined up and looking happy!!  Bake for 45 minutes,  Top with the other cup of cheese and brown under broiler till cheese and tater tots are golden brown and bubbly!!