Cheesy Sausage Tater Tots - Topped Casserole

This is an easy recipe that is really tasty! Use the large Italian sausages for this and remove the casings, you can use turkey sausages if desired, no need to thaw the nuggets for this recipe.

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 2  lbs Italian sausage, casings removed (mild or spicy)
• 2 -3  tablespoons olive oil
• 2  teaspoons  dried chili pepper flakes (optional)
• 1  large onion, chopped
• 1 -2  tablespoon  fresh minced garlic, to taste (optional)
• 1⁄4 cup  grated parmesan cheese
• 2 (10 ounce) cans  cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
• 1 1⁄4 cups evaporated milk (or 18% table cream)
• 2 -3  cups  shredded cheddar cheese (or to taste)
• 1 (32 ounce) bag  frozen tater tots (potatoes)
•  seasoning salt
•  black pepper
• 1⁄2 cup parmesan cheese (or to taste)

Directions

1. Set oven to 350 degres.
2. Butter a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add in the sausage meat with chili pepper flakes (if using) onions and garlic, stir with a wooden spoon breaking up the meat, cook until well browned (about 10-12 minutes) drain the fat, then add in about 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese; mix to combine.
4. Spread the mixture into the baking dish.
5. In a bowl mix the soup with evaporated milk, then pour over the sausage mixture in the baking dish.
6. Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the soup.
7. Top with the potato nuggets evenly over the cheese.
8. Sprinkle the top of the nuggets lightly with seasoned salt and black pepper, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese to taste.
9. Bake uncovered for about 50-60 minutes, or until lightly browned.