Better for You Tater Tot Casserole

I wanted to make Tater Tot Casserole for my toddler but it really has a lot of salt and fat in it. Here's my solution - a healthier version for toddlers.

1/2 pound lean ground turkey
1 medium onion, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large red or green pepper, seeded and chopped
3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
2-3 asparagus spears chopped into bite size pieces
1/2 bag of frozen peas or beans
1/2 bag of frozen corn (you can leave this out. It's nice for color but not all that nutritional)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cans low sodium Healthy Choice cream of chicken soup (or other brand - that's what we had on hand)
1 bag frozen tater tots
1 1/2 tablespoons onion power
I'm purposely leaving the onion soup mix out because it adds a lot of sodium. I've replaced it with the onion powder and actual onions.

Preheat oven to 350*. In a large skillet, cook onions in the olive oil until clear. Add garlic, pepper, beans, asparagus, and carrots. Cook until soft. Add in turkey, onion powder. Brown until fully cooked. Place the cooked mixture in a casserole dish and stir in soup. Top casserole with tater tots. Bake for 50-55 minutes.

You'll also notice that this doesn't seem like as much meat as you're used to. I've replaced part of the meat with healthier veggies instead. Toddlers only need about an ounce of protein each day and this will provide plenty.

If you don't like ground turkey you can use extra lean ground beef or try going half and half.

This freezes very well. Divide it into little squares and place in freezer baggies for up to 3 mos.