Updated: August 17, 2024
Hot dish competitions are held throughout Minnesota each year. Roseau hosts their annual Hot Dish Cook Off at Fall Harvest Festival the first weekend in October. These cook offs are becoming so popular that in Washington, Minnesota’s congressional representatives compete in an annual Hotdish-Off. When Jimmy Fallon visited a family in Champlin before the Minneapolis Super Bowl, what did he eat? Tater Tot hotdish, of course. Vice President Candidate and past Governor of MNTim Walz even has a hotdish recipe. Ufda, it’s a big deal in the state.
What’s a Hotdish
What’s a Minnesota Hotdish? As any Minnesotan knows, if you layer ground meat, veggies and a starch such as pasta, rice or potatoes , mix in a can of condensed soup and throw it in the oven you’ll get hot dish. It’s a one pot wonder doncha know. If you are visiting Roseau, stop by Nelson’s Café on Main Street for an authentic MN Hotdish. You will walk away feeling content after a big helping of comfort food
Where did the term “Hotdish” come from?
The word “hotdish” was first used in a 1930 Minnesotan cookbook published by the Grace Lutheran Ladies Aid. This landmark recipe called for hamburger meat, onions, celery, canned peas, canned tomato soup, and Creamettes — Minnesotan macaroni — all to be stirred together and baked. What started as a staple of church basement potlucks and family gatherings has evolved into more than a recipe, becoming a hallmark of you-betcha Minnesota culture. Everywhere else it’s just casserole.
Want to try some of the tasty recipes that were entered into past year’s Roseau Hotdish Cook Off? Here are the family favorites from Roseau, MN.
