Hotdish Pairings - MGM Wine & Spirits

Hotdish pairing

Pairing with the Ultimate Comfort Food

It’s hotdish season! Dip the spoon through the crispy layer of tots and scoop up a heaping spoonful of creamy deliciousness. But what wine or beer would you pair with Tater Tot Hotdish? What about a creamy chicken version? Or a beefy, mushroomy creation? When reaching for a beverage to enjoy with warming comfort food such as a hotdish-otherwise known as “casserole” outside our neck of the woods-there are some classic go-to selections that will make a comforting meal even better.

In a hotdish, all of the ingredients come together with a variety of flavors in one bite. It’s not just like pairing with a grilled steak or roasted chicken, so consider the other elements such as seasonings and the weight/creaminess of the sauce. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Beef: Classic Tater Tot Hotdish, with its ground beef and creamy, earthy mushroom flavor, would pair well with a pale or amber ale. Wild rice and mushrooms in the mix? The balance of fruit and acidity in Cabernet Franc or Pinot Noir could be a good match.

Chicken: Chardonnay has enough acidity to cut through the richness of creamy sauce and pair well with such delights as a chicken version of tater tot hotdish. If you prefer red, try lighter red such as a Pinot Noir or Beaujolais. For a beer, brown ale could cozy up to this dish. If you are whipping up a chicken creation with a Mexican slant that includes green sauce, uncork some Sauvignon Blanc. If chicken and apple come together in your hotdish, try a hard cider alongside dinner.

Seafood: Creamy seafood casseroles can stand up to rich whites like oaked Chardonnay or Rhône-style whites made from Marsanne and Roussanne grapes. More soupy seafood chowder also pairs well with a glass of nutty, dry sherry. (You could add a splash to the soup, too.) For a beer, look to light lager.

Stew and Chili: While not technically casseroles, you can’t deny the comfort factor of beef stew and chili. With hearty beef stew, pair with the same sort of reds that you’d pair with the beef if it were simply roasted. Cabernet Sauvignon-based red would be the classic match (it could be straight Cab or a Cab-Merlot blend, like many Bordeaux), although Cabernet Franc, with its slightly lighter texture and green pepper spice-is also delicious. Full-bodied and fruity Argentine Malbec could also make a tasty match. For chili, an issue to consider is how many chilies you add: alcohol fans the flames of a chile’s heat. So, if it’s five-alarm chili, you’re best off going with a fruity red that’s not so high in alcohol, like a simple Shiraz or consider Argentine Malbec or Tempranillo. Also consider pale ale, IPA or hearty stout for a refreshing brew.

SIP ON THIS

Humble Hotdish Stands Out for Minnesota

Tater Tot Hotdish stars as the dish selected to represent Minnesota in a roundup of recipes from each state on the Cooking Channel website. The entry notes: “Minnesota: Pronounced ‘hoddish,’ this casserole (creamy veggies topped with crispy tater tots) is perfect for serving at large gatherings.” Described by its chef, “Hotdish is an easy, one-dish dinner often served in Minnesota at such large gatherings as family reunions, potlucks or church suppers. Don’t be turned off by its humble appearance; the combination of cream of mushroom soup, corn, green beans, beef and a delightful crispy potato topping (the more taters, the better!) is universally likeable.”

Hotdish pairing

Food Pairings

Scoop a heaping helping onto your plate and you’ll notice that your mouth is beginning to water. That’s the succulent smell of ooey-gooey cheese and bacon, a creamy ranch sauce and tender chicken-and crispy tater tots, of course. The bacon is really key to this version of chicken casserole. It’s the perfect cherry on top of a fantastic blend of homey, rich flavors.

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Makes 6 servings

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

½ cup milk

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon lemon juice

6 to 8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped

1 (1-ounce) package ranch dressing mix

½ teaspoon black pepper

3 cups chicken, cooked and cut into large cubes

1 (32-ounce) package frozen Tater Tots

1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

¼ cup flat leaf parsley, chopped (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the soup, sour cream, milk, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, bacon, ranch dressing mix, and black pepper until thoroughly combined. Stir in the chicken and an optional vegetable, if using. Transfer into prepared baking dish. Top with Tater Tots then cheese.

3. Cover the casserole and bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 to 10 minutes or until heated through and golden. Top with parsley, if using, and serve.

Cook’s Notes: For variations, try adding broccoli, corn or other vegetables. Using leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken makes this dish even easier.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Gonna Want Seconds

Looking for exclusive offers? Find MGM Wine & Spirits on Social Media
Find a location near you! Shop one of our convenient locations today!

The items offered in this sale can be purchased at the prices listed only at participating MGM, MGM Wine & Spirits, and MGM Liquor Warehouse locations, either from existing stock or by special order. Not all products are carried in stock at every MGM location, and not all products are offered at the sale price at every MGM location. Some products will be available in some stores only by special order. It is also possible that our stores and/or our suppliers may run out of some items or vintages. Thus, availability may change throughout the sale period. Call ahead to assure availability. We are not responsible for typographical errors. No additional discounts may be applied to sale products.