Camp-Stove (One Pot) Minnesota Hotdish with Beef & Cheese
This warm and satisfying Ground Beef, Cheddar Cheese and Elbow Noodle “Hotdish” makes a simple and yummy camp meal (or weeknight dinner!) for the whole family.
So picture this: You and your group have made it to your lovely campsite in the woods, but it’s already nearing dinnertime. Everyone is tired and hungry, two of you are picky eaters, zero of you like doing dishes, and you’ve got a chilly night ahead. Uff da! Sounds like a recipe for a tough weekend in the outdoors.
Welp friends, do I have a solution for you. Today I present for you – straight from the great north of Minnesota, with zero pomp and circumstance, the least-fancy, most crowd-pleasing, ultra-warming and perfectly tummy-filling: Camp-Stove, One-Pot Minnesota Hotdish.
For me, one-pot meals are an absolute staple of camping. They’re manageable on any camp cooking system, and the easy cleanup is a treat. This is one that I promise you can’t mess up, and it’s something both kids and adults will enjoy.
See it in action! Click HERE to view the YouTube video of how I cooked this while camping in the woods this spring.
What is Hotdish Anyway?
Casserole. It’s just casserole. But “hotdish” has become something of a cultural icon up here in Minnesota. According to my Internet digging, the term was first coined in a Minnesota cookbook in 1930, and based on my own logic, probably gained popularity at that time (Depression era) as a frugal way to feed families. Hotdish has remained popular in the Upper Midwest over the last century.
Basically, we’re talking a meat, a starch, a vegetable and some kind of sauce or canned soup all cooked together as a one-dish meal, typically prepared in an oven. Some other popular hotdishes: Chicken and Wild Rice Hotdish, Taco Hotdish, Green Bean Casserole, or the legendary Tater Tot Hotdish.
Why is Hotdish So Popular?
Hotdish is an easy and affordable way to cook. Even the least-experienced chefs can prepare one without trouble, and they can also be a great way to sneak vegetables onto a picky eater’s plate. A hotdish is great for large-group gatherings and families, or makes amazing leftovers.
Great in the Woods or at Home
While I’m offering this up as a yummy meal for car camping, it definitely works well as a midweek dinner for the family too. If making this at home without the limitations of cooler space, feel free to play around with adding additional vegetables or spices like fresh garlic, carrots, a green vegetable, or basil.
What You’ll Need:
A camp cooking system with fuel
One large camp pot, ideally with lid
Knife
Cutting board
Can opener (or plan ahead and buy the easy-open can of crushed tomatoes)
One cooking spoon
Plates and eating utensils
Ingredients:
(Serves 3)
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 pound Ground Beef
1/2 cup chopped Onion (about a quarter of an onion)
1 chopped orange or red Bell Pepper
1 14-oz can Crushed Tomatoes
2 cups Water
1 and 1/4 cups dried Elbow Noodles
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tbsp chopped Green Onion (about 1 large stock)
1/2 cup grated Cheddar Cheese
1/4 tsp Salt and Black Pepper
Directions:
Warm olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion and cook until meat begins to brown (about 3 minutes), stirring frequently to break apart the meat. Add bell pepper and cook until meat is fully cooked (no pink remains) and vegetables are tender (about 4 minutes). Add crushed tomatoes, elbow noodles, water, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir well. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until noodles are fully cooked and no liquid remains (about 10-12 minutes). If liquid is absorbed before noodles are tender, add small amounts of water until they are fully cooked. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed. Reduce heat to low. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top and cover until cheese is melted (about 2 minutes). Top with green onion and serve hot.
Let me know what you think in the Comments section below! Tried it and liked it? Share on Instagram tagging @nattieupnorth.